The present disclosure discloses a method and network device for dynamic detection of inactive virtual private network clients. Specifically, a network device receives periodic messages from a first device at a first interval, and determines a timeout value for the first device based at least on the first interval, at which the periodic messages are received from the first device. Subsequent to determining the timeout value, the network device detects that a message has not been received from the first device for a period of time corresponding to the timeout value for the first device. The network device then terminates at least one connection with the first device responsive to determining that no message has been received from the first device for the period of time corresponding to the timeout value for the first device.