DNS look-up failures if I update from 23.7, VPN client can't be reset as well

[opnsensenetworker]

I'm a casual user of opnsense for a few years. I started using new hardware in the summer and have a problem with the new install.
On 23.7, I use an openvpn client to PIA --  on boot it will come up. But I cannot reset it because the host name does not resolve and all further DNS look-ups fail.
If I upgrade 23.7.9 the PIA openvpn client will not come up even on boot because the host name does not resolve.
In system->settings->general I have set DNS servers to use the WAN gateway.
unbound is listed in services on the dashboard.
I don't know if I monkeyed with other setting months ago.
Suggestions on how to troubleshoot this and what to read will be appreciated!

[lar.hed]

just for checking, change from Unbound to DNSmasq - will that change the behavior?

[opnsensenetworker]

using dnsmasq seems to resolve the dns look-up errors.
but there openvpn client doesn't come up. The error is write UDPv4: No route to host(fd=7, code 65)
This is both the case for resetting the VPN client 23.7 and at start-up with 23.7.9.

[lar.hed]

Sorry to say my knowledge with VPN services are none to zero - so can not help you there :-)

[DEC670airp414user]

i was having the same issue with another "provider"
i swapped to connecting by IP and no longer see this issue.

i was using unbound with blocklists.    stopped the blocked lists and it still happened.    wan is quad 9 servers

interesting someone else was having this with a different provider

[opnsensenetworker]

lar.hed thanks for your help, part of the problem is solved!