How to troubleshoot VPN returning segmentation fault on a Pi Zero W or Did I fry my Pi?

Question

My headless Pi Zero W gives a segmentation fault whenever I run the ExpressVPN application. This problem occurs on a brand new Sandisk Ultra microSD card, imaged with Raspbian Lite 32 bit via the Raspberry Pi Imager for Windows. ExpressVPN downloaded with wget and installed successfully with dpkg.

The Pi worked fine for about a month on a previous project, until there was an unsafe shutdown or two or three, at which point apt get upgrade began producing segmentation fault. I reimaged that original microSD card several times but the issue recurred.

I got a new microSD card after reading this post which suggests that unsafe shutdowns corrupt the filesystem and cause a segmentation fault. Unfortunately, the new microSD card with a new Raspbian image produces the same error. Although the microSD card is new, I'm using the same microSD to SD adapter for imaging on Windows.

This post suggests a reliable power supply may be the problem. Currently I'm using a 5.1V/1A CanaKit power supply, which seems more than adequate according to these figures. On the previous project when the unsafe shutdowns occured, I used a microUSB to USB cord with a USB cellphone-type wall adapter. I don't have it anymore and don't remember the amperage. I doubt that's what fried it but I suppose its a possibility since I know nothing about electricity.

Did I completely fry my Pi with one too many unsafe shutdowns and a random power supply? Is it possible the microSD to SD adapter is the culprit? If a brand new SD card returns the same problem, do I need to move on to a brand new Pi? If so, how do I prevent these problems from occurring in the future?

Additionally, I did another reimage with Balena Etcher, same segmentation fault on executing ExpressVPN. Also tried the NordVPN app, same segmentation fault.

Answer 1

There is nothing on the Pi to damage! To damage a Pi you have to supply excessive voltages or mechanically damage it.

Unsafe shutdown CAN damage a filesystem, but the risk is much overrated in 8 years with 20 SD Cards and more Pi than I care to admit I have never encountered this. I have 4 Pi running at the moment, and they have survived many power outages.

A segmentation fault is generally caused by a corrupted image, although it is possibly faulty RAM this is unlikely.

Faulty software can damage files.

The PiZero is (IMO) a poor device; it has inadequate memory and poor build quality, with vulnerable connectors hanging over the edges of the board. You could certainly benefit from a regular Pi.