Showed up while Pixel 7a was on VPN (Google One). When I used the cable it connected as expected but still glitchy.
After turning off VPN everything returned back to normal.
Now that I think about it mostly makes sense why it didn’t work, but just fyi
I have the Google One VPN and use AA wireless in my car. It works perfectly because I made an exception in the apps section of the Google One VPN. Check the settings there.
Most VPNs allow you to split tunnel and you can make an exception. Just for Android Auto. There might be a sub setting in the page for split tunneling that you need to open to show system apps.
Which vpn do you use?
As others have said, just use an exception. I use AdGuard which utilises a VPN for adblocking and PIA. AA works fine with both once added to the exception list.
I’ve never gotten this to work with Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Google One (with AA application bypass) - I have to use the free 1.1.1.1 VPN, with an application bypass for AA.
Odd that the Google VPN won’t work with AA. 
I run mine through a Wireguard VPN, and have not had an issue.
Mine works fine with VPN.
Mine had the same issue until I added an exception in my Wireguard to Unifi at home setup.
I’ve never seen this message and my phone is connected to a VPN 24/7.
Android auto is full of bugs…
Like why connect to a peer to peer WiFi created on the car unit when it could just start the hotspot on your phone…
Use an exception in VPN app. I personally use ‘private pvn’, I created a routine in my S23U which switches to private vpn whenever AA connects.
Ok, we get there’s a workaround by adding an exception. But ELI5 why wont it not just work with VPN?
I have not had a problem
!flair 2018 Ford f150|Pixel 6a|Android 13
Split tunneling, on your VPN settings
Seems like a lot of google services don’t work well with VPN. Last time I had one enabled (Google One), I couldn’t figure out why the hell Gmail wouldn’t load any attachments. Shut off the VPN and there it was. At the time my workplace used Google Apps so Gmail was the email program.
Hi.
I have AA on a aftermarket stereo and with VPN it sometimes connects and sometimes doesn’t. Using VPN with Nord split tunnelling it still says error -21 about using a VPN …so despited split tunnelling it’s still picking it up from somewhere. Must be a solution as apart from rooting not sure how to control turning VPN on and off via a automated task…
I have had the Google One VPN bypassed in the settings for a while through a few updates and it still will not connect to AA while VPN is active on my Pixel7
Thank you, I will try that.
That doesn’t work for me on p6p