We get it - there's nothing more frustrating than trying to use a VPN application and seeing an error on your screen (usually accompanied by an annoying sound). However, you're bound to encounter one at some point if you use a VPN daily. That's because you are using a VPN client behind which is a powerful and complex network of servers. There's a huge number of "moving parts" in this system, where any of those parts can malfunction. Therefore, we've decided to help you by listing several VPN error codes and possible solutions to each of those.
We also need to note that, in this article, we've focused on solving problems with your locally installed VPN client. However, you'll also find a range of error codes related to servers so that you know when to contact your VPN's customer support team. Also, we did our best to do in-depth research and provide multiple solutions in the effort of offering you a full list of VPN error code fixes. Of course, if our proposed fixes below fail to resolve the error you see, please post a comment. We'll do our best to respond as soon as possible and to try to come up with another solution.
There are close to sixty VPN error code fixes in this article. To make things easy to navigate, we've prepared a handy table below that acts as the article's table of contents. Click on any number below that corresponds to the error you're seeing, and you'll be automatically taken to a possible solution.
Finally, it's time to take a deep dive into resolving problems with your VPN. We will go over 55+ VPN error code fixes, so there's plenty to cover. Let's jump right in.
Error Message: "(Error 5): No hostname exists for this connection entry."
Explanation & Solution: This error message indicates a problem with your Cisco VPN profile. This is a .pcf file found in C:\Program Files\Cisco Systems\VPN Client\Profiles on your Windows PC. The solution to this error is to replace this file with a new version supplied by your VPN network admin.
Error Message:Â "Unable to logon to the server. Your username or password may not be configured properly for this connection. (-12)"
Explanation & Solution: As the error message clearly explains, you need to recheck your credentials (your username and password). Also, this error usually happens when using the Fortinet VPN client, so make sure that your password is alphanumeric (keep in mind that no special characters are allowed).
Error Message:Â "Unable to communicate with the VPN subsystem."
Explanation & Solution: This is a somewhat common VPN error that happens on Cisco VPN clients. In most cases, restarting your machine or restarting the VPN client will solve this issue. Furthermore, this VPN error code appears to be related to macOS users primarily. In that case, you can use the ‘sudo SystemStarter restart CiscoVPN’ command via macOS’s Terminal (Applications > Utilities).
Error Message: "(Error 56) The Cisco Systems, Inc. VPN client has not started. Please start this service and try again."
Explanation & Solution: For some reason, your Cisco VPN client isn't able to launch. Most probably, when you double-click on its icon to open the VPN client, nothing happens for a while - and you see the 'Error 56' message after a few seconds.
Your first option is to reinstall the Cisco VPN Client software, and also make sure to go to your Windows Device Manager and remove all Cisco Virtual Adapters. Then, install the latest version of the client. If that doesn't help, there might be a software conflict - we recommend removing any antivirus applications you might have installed on your computer.
Error Message:Â "The parameter is incorrect."
Explanation & Solution: The biggest problem with this error is that it shows a vague message without pinpointing the exact cause. Therefore, your VPN will most likely ask you to reboot your machine, try connecting to a different VPN protocol, and try reinstalling IKEv2 WAN Miniport. Some users have also reported fixing this problem by disabling the 'Internet Connection Sharing' on their Windows 10 machine.
Error Message: "Connection error! The VPN connection terminates unexpectedly!"
Explanation & Solution:Â This issue is characteristic for the Fortinet VPN client, for versions 6.2.X running on macOS Catalina. The problem is that versions 6.2.X are incompatible with this operating system, so the solution would be to roll back to version 6.0.X. There's also a chance that Fortinet could fix this error in the meantime, so check if this is mentioned in any of the release notes of freshly released updates.
Error Message:Â "The VPN connection terminates unexpectedly (Error Code: -121)."
Explanation & Solution: This VPN connection error happens to those using the Fortinet client on iOS. More precisely, due to a software conflict between Fortinet 6.0.X and iOS 13, there is a known problem related to establishing a VPN connection via a mobile hotspot. We recommend updating your VPN client, as versions above 6.2.X promise to fix this issue.
Error Message: "ERR_PROXY_CONNECTION_FAILED" or "Unable to connect to the proxy server."
Explanation & Solution: As this error message says, there's a problem connecting to the selected proxy server. It means that you either need to remove or reconfigure the proxy server you're using. Press 'Windows Key + R' and type in 'inetcpl.cpl' to open the Internet Properties page. Then, select the 'Connections' tab and click on the 'LAN Settings' button. This is where you can reconfigure your proxy server or select 'Automatically detect settings' to remove any custom proxy settings.
It's also recommended to flush your DNS, reset Winsock, and reset TCP/IP values. Open the Start menu and click on 'Command Prompt' - but make sure to right-click on its icon and then choose 'Run as Administrator.' Then, use the following command: 'ipconfig /flushdns' followed by 'netsh int ip reset resettcpip.txt.' Make sure to press Enter between entering these commands to apply them. And finish with the 'netsh winsock reset' command.
Error Message: "The Connection Manager was unable to read the connection entry, or the connection entry has missing or incorrect information."
Explanation & Solution: This error message points to a problem in your Cisco VPN profile, which is most probably corrupt or incomplete. You need to obtain a fresh copy of your connection profile file (which is a .pcf file) and replace the old file found in C:\Program Files\Cisco Systems\VPN Client\Profiles (on Windows). If you don't have a backup copy of this file, make sure to contact your VPN network administrator.
Error Message:Â "The remote peer terminated the connection during the negotiation of security policies."
Explanation & Solution: This vague error message points to a problem with the security (IKE) negotiations between your VPN client and the VPN server. This can happen due to several reasons, such as having an unstable Internet connection, poor Wi-Fi signal, or conflicting apps (such as antivirus software).
As a possible solution, you can also go to 'Log Settings' of your Cisco VPN client and make sure to change 'IKE' to 'High.' Then, open the Log Window and start your VPN connection. Keep a close eye and see if you see any further errors, which could be helpful to your VPN network's administrator.
Error Message:Â "The remote peer is no longer responding."
Explanation & Solution: Similar to the error code 51, this issue is also related to Cisco VPN clients. It happens when a secure connect drops, which is often caused by a client’s firewall blocking UDP or TCP ports. Possible solutions include using a wired connection (instead of wireless), turning off your firewall via your VPN client, or enabling ‘NAT-T/TCP' in your profile.
Error Message:Â "(Error 413) User authentication failed."
Explanation & Solution: Typically found on Cisco VPN networks, error 413 points to a problem of reaching the limit of simultaneous connections. This happens if you're using more than the allowed number of connections, which prevents you from creating any further VPN connections on your device.
There are several possible resolutions to this problem. First, make sure to contact your VPN administrator and ask about the limit of simultaneous connections of your VPN network. Then, make sure to update 'Cisco's VPN Dialer' to the latest available version. And if nothing helps (and if you're within the limit of your network), try changing your password.
Error Message:Â "(Reason 422) Lost contact with the secure gateway. Check your network connection."
Explanation & Solution: You are most probably using Cisco's VPN client to create a secure Web connection. So, our first recommendation would be to update your VPN client to the latest available version (make sure first to uninstall your existing client properly). If the problem persists, it's worth trying a new router/modem - especially if you have an older or entry-level model.
Error Message:Â "Unable to establish the VPN connection. The server may be unreachable" or "Unable to resolve host or server address."
Explanation & Solution: As you can see, the message you're viewing is vague. That's because there's an unidentified problem with your Internet connection, and your VPN isn't capable of pinpointing the exact cause. However, in many cases, all you need is to set your IP address and DNS server address to be obtained automatically, as explained below.
It's also helpful to remove any other VPN clients you have installed on your device. Also, try using a different VPN protocol or connecting to a different VPN server.
Error Message:Â "Reason 422: Failed to enable Virtual Adapter."
Explanation & Solution: You probably use Cisco's VPN, which might run into a software conflict with one of the services running on your Windows PC. The solution to this error is to disable the problematic service and then try restarting Cisco's VPN, as explained below.
Error Message:Â "Permission denied (-455)."
Explanation & Solution: This error usually happens in Fortinet clients. If your permission is denied, your user credentials aren't valid. So, make sure to check if you're using the correct username and password.
Error Message:Â "A device type was specified that does not exist."
Explanation & Solution: As its description says, your VPN can’t connect through a port since the device type is corrupted or not configured. Here’s how to resolve this error:
Error Message:Â "A connection to the remote computer could not be established."
Explanation & Solution: Often associated with Windows PCs, this error can have several possible causes. In some cases, having more than one VPN installed creates this issue. Therefore, uninstall all VPNs that you don’t plan on using, restart your PC, and try again. In addition, you can turn off Windows Firewall:
Error Message:Â "The connection was terminated by the remote computer before it could be completed."
Explanation & Solution: This error code can happen if you’re using a dial-up connection or modem that relies on your phone line. These are several things that you can try doing:
Error Message:Â "Port disconnected by the remote computer."
Explanation & Solution: This error is typically associated with dial-up connections, and it means that the VPN connection can’t be achieved since a port isn’t open. It means that your first action should be to check if your firewall is blocking your traffic. Also, note that port 1723 needs to be open, and protocol 47 needs to be enabled with the firewall configuration settings.
Error Message:Â "The modem is already in use or is not configured properly."
Explanation & Solution: This issue happens when another Internet-connected application uses a TCP port. Even though this doesn’t happen often, this port can be occupied by another application that might have stalled. The best solution is to restart your modem, restart your computer, and wait until it boots up. Another solution is to disable and re-enable your network connection, so here's how to do that.
Error Message:Â "There was an internal authentication error."
Explanation & Solution: This error is often associated with older Windows versions where setting up a VPN connection had to be done manually. As its description notes, there’s an incorrect username or password. So, go back to your VPN connection settings and make sure that you have the correct user credentials.
Error Message:Â "Your model (or other connecting device) has reported an error."
Explanation & Solution: This issue happens with L2TP connections on Windows 7 and earlier versions when trying to establish a dial-up connection to the server via ISDN. To resolve this error, it's recommended to update to Windows 10, as the individual hotfix isn't available anymore.
In addition, you could try checking your Device Manager and clicking on View > Show Hidden Devices. This is where you'll see a list of WAN Miniports, where you can try removing those installed by other applications which you no longer use.
Error Message:Â "Access denied because the username and/or password is invalid on the domain."
Explanation & Solution: As you can see, this error is identical to the previously described VPN error (code 645). This happens when you’re using the wrong username or password. You need to take another look at your VPN and make sure you have the correct credentials.
Error Message:Â "The remote access IP configuration is unusable."
Explanation & Solution: Here, we have a relatively rare issue that happens with the Sonicwall Mobile Connect app on Windows 8 and below (and often on Lenovo computers). There's no concrete information about this issue on Sonicwall's website. However, many users were able to resolve the problem by reinstalling Windows or updating to the latest available version of this operating system.
Error Message:Â "A connection to the remote computer could not be established."
Explanation & Solution: If a VPN provider doesn’t offer a native app, you need to set up your VPN connection manually. This requires you to set up a VPN protocol in the ‘VPN Type’ field on Windows. In case you’ve entered the wrong protocol, the error code 720 will appear. You can try setting the protocol to ‘Automatic’ or check with your VPN provider which protocol you’re allowed to use.
Error Message:Â "The remote computer did not respond."
Explanation & Solution: Most often, the cause of this error is found in the NAT (Network Address Translation) settings of your router. Older routers can have a hard time allowing multiple computers to share a single connection – especially while using VPN applications via the PPTP tunnel. A solution to this problem is to buy a router that supports VPN-related pass-through. Alternatively, you can try setting up a stating NAT mapping on your router.
Error Message:Â "Your computer and the remote computer could not agree on PPP control protocols."
Explanation & Solution: This error code indicates that your VPN client doesn’t have the required privileges to connect to the VPN server. As such, this usually happens within workplace or university networks and is rarely related to commercial VPN services. The best solution is to contact the administrator of the VPN network that you’re trying to access. And if you use a commercial VPN, turn to its customer support and explain your problem.
Error Message:Â "The PPP link control protocol was terminated."
Explanation & Solution: Very similar to the previously explained error code, this one is caused by invalid access rights. It happens after the connection has been established but then suddenly drops, which prevents you from using the VPN. Once again, you need to contact the administrator of your VPN network or contact the customer support team of your VPN service.
Error Message:Â "This connection is already being dialed."
Explanation & Solution: For some reason, your computer might believe that there's an existing VPN connection that's already active. It means that you're prevented from creating a new one until you disconnect from the active VPN. In many cases, this issue can be resolved by restarting your router or your VPN server (depending on your configuration and where you have access to the server).
Also, keep in mind that this error is mostly happening on Windows 7 and earlier. Therefore, it's highly recommended to update your operating system to the latest available version.
Error Message:Â "A certificate could not be found."
Explanation & Solution: VPN connections that use the L2TP/IPsec protocol need a digital certificate to run. If this certificate is missing, the VPN won’t be able to connect due to a missing security layer. Furthermore, this error is related to remote access servers, which means that contacting your VPN provider should get this error fixed.
Error Message:Â "The encryption attempt failed because no valid certificate was found."
Explanation & Solution: Certain types of VPN protocols need security certificates installed on the server end. If you encounter this error code, you need to contact your VPN and let them know about this problem.
A temporary solution would be to change the VPN protocol to PPTP within your VPN client. This protocol doesn’t need a security certificate to work and might get you through the secure server. With this said, this error is often associated with the L2TP/IPSec protocol.
Error Message:Â "The L2TP connection attempt fails because the security layer cannot authenticate the remote computer."
Explanation & Solution: As evident from the error message, we're talking about an L2TP connection here. More precisely, something is preventing this VPN protocol from working properly, where a remote server is typically the source of the problem. Therefore, our suggestion would be to contact the administrator of your VPN network.
In case you have a very old router, there might be a chance that it doesn't support the appropriate protocol used by this VPN connection. So, another possible solution would be to replace it with a newer model or perhaps try installing DD-WRT firmware.
Error Message:Â "The security layer encountered a processing error during initial negotiations with the remote computer."
Explanation & Solution: Once again, we have an error related to L2TP/IPsec connections. In this case, several types of digital security certificates might be missing, or there might be a problem with the certificates that prevents the network from connecting you to the remote server. As these problems are often server-related, you need to contact your VPN’s support team.
Error Message:Â "The modem could not be found."
Explanation & Solution: For some reason, your VPN doesn’t recognize your modem. In other words, it looks like you’re trying to create a VPN connection without being connected to the Internet. Here are a few possible solutions:
Error Message:Â "A certificate could not be found that can be used with this Extensive Authentication Protocol."
Explanation & Solution: If you’re using Windows Server, you need to have the correct security certificates in place. In case these are missing, you won’t be able to achieve a VPN connection. To fix the error 798, you need to add the correct certificate to 'Current User' > 'Personal Store.' Also, make sure that you have the 'Server Certificate' as well as the 'Client Certificate' since both of these are needed to make a VPN connection happen.
Error Message:Â "Unable to establish the VPN connection because a tunnel could not be set up."
Explanation & Solution: More often than not, this error happens to those who set their VPN protocol to 'Automatic.' Since there isn’t a specific protocol involved, you’re getting a generic error message. First of all, you could try going back to your VPN’s settings and choosing a specific protocol. If that doesn’t help, here are a few solutions:
Error Message:Â "The VPN connection between your computer and the VPN server could not be completed."
Explanation & Solution: In this case, your VPN can successfully connect to a remote server. However, something is blocking data exchange, which is causing this error to appear. In most cases, your computer or your router’s firewall is blocking this type of traffic, which means that you have two possible solutions.
First, we recommend setting up your firewall to accept VPN connections on your computer. Here’s how that is done:
If the following guide doesn’t help, you’ll need to contact your ISP. Ask them for instructions on how to open the TCP port 1723, and tell them that something is blocking your VPN data traffic.
Error Message:Â "The network connection between your computer and the VPN server was interrupted."
Explanation & Solution: As you can see from the description, this error is most commonly associated with the VPN server, which is where the cause of the problem can be found. So, your first action should be to contact the VPN’s support team and report this problem. Still, there’s plenty you can try as well, so here are some tips.
Error Message:Â "The network connection between your computer and the VPN server could not be established because the remote server is not responding."
Explanation & Solution: This is a slight variation of one of the previously explained error. Something is blocking the traffic from and to your computer, and your firewall is to blame. So, you can disable the firewall or open TCP 1723. If you need additional assistance, you can turn to your Internet Service Provider (not your VPN provider).
Error Message:Â "The connection was prevented because of a policy configured on your RAS/VPN server."
Explanation & Solution: This is a problem on the server end. If you use a commercial VPN, try connecting to a different server. If the issue persists, you need to contact your VPN provider and report the problem.
Error Message:Â "Completely disconnected connection (ERROR_LINK_FAILURE)."
Explanation & Solution: You are most probably able to achieve a VPN connection, but you're having a hard time keeping it alive. This is a time-out message, which means that your VPN server will disconnect you if your VPN connection becomes inactive. If you use a commercial VPN service, you need to contact its customer support team and provide as much information as possible (as this issue can be resolved by tweaking a setting on the server that was implemented to impose time-outs).
Error Message:Â "The remote access connection completed, but authentication failed because of an error in the certificate that the client uses to authenticate the server."
Explanation & Solution: You are most probably using an IKEv2 VPN connection on your Windows PC (and you've probably created that connection manually). To resolve this issue, make sure to open the Settings app and navigate to your VPN connections. Then, click on 'Change Adapter Settings' and right-click on the VPN connection that's failing to connect. Select Properties > Networks and untick 'Internet Protocol Version 6,' 'File and Printer Sharing,' and 'Client for Microsoft Windows.' Also, right-click on 'Internet Protocol Version 4' and select Properties. Make sure to check 'Use default gateway on remote network' box.
Error Message:Â "The remote connection was not made because the name of the remote access server did not resolve."
Explanation & Solution: When there’s a problem with the DNS (Doman Name System), you won’t be able to connect to a remote server. It means that you need to double-check if you’ve entered the DNS address accurately when setting up your VPN. In other words, you need to contact your VPN provider and check which DNS you need to use. Alternatively, you can enter an IP address instead of using a DNS.
Error Message:Â "The internet connection appears to be offline (-1009)."
Explanation & Solution: In the majority of cases, this error is produced by Bitdefender VPN, even though some other VPNs can create it as well. In essence, the 1009 error means that you have a problem with Internet connectivity. It means that you need to check if your router is working correctly. Alternatively, make sure that your Windows Firewall isn't blocking the VPN application you're trying to use. And also, it's a good idea to remove any other VPNs you might have installed on your device.
Error Message: "Error 1168 - Element not found."
Explanation & Solution: This is a common network connectivity problem appearing on specific versions of Windows 7 and 8. With this said, we strongly recommend updating to the latest version of Windows (Windows 10) if possible. If not, you can try running the DISM tool, as explained below.
Error Message:Â "PING: Transmit Failed, Error Code 1231."
Explanation & Solution: Considering that this issue is often related to Windows Vista, we recommend updating your operating system, which should fix this issue. However, if you'd like to continue using Windows Vista, you can try resetting the TCP/IP stack, as explained below.
Error Message:Â "You're not allowed to sign in. Please contact the network administrator."
Explanation & Solution: Often produced on devices trying to connect to a VPN network controlled by Pulse Connect, this error means your device can't be recognized appropriately. Pulse Connect works by allowing you to join a specific group of users, like employees or clients, in a work environment. The only way to fix this issue is to contact your network administrator (in your office or campus, where Pulse Connect is most often utilized).
Error Message:Â "There was an unknown error (Error 2250)."
Explanation & Solution: Those using one of SonicWall's cybersecurity solutions can encounter an error that prevents their Internet traffic from leaving their device. In most cases, we're talking about the error 2250 - related to a firewall solution that shuts down your Web traffic. Therefore, make sure to take a close look if you have any firewall solution installed on your device and disable it. As per SonicWall's technical documentation, this is a known problem when using Kaspersky Endpoint Protection or Symantec Endpoint Protection.
Error Message:Â "Unknown error (code=10054)."
Explanation & Solution: This is a tricky error to resolve, as it doesn't point to the exact cause of the problem. However, in most cases, when this error appears, you need to check your firewall settings and make sure that port forwarding is set correctly. Also, this error can be caused by an expired CA certificate.
The 10051 error code typically happens on OpenVPN connections. As such, your VPN service can cause it as well, so we strongly recommend contacting your VPN and providing as much detail as possible.
Error Message:Â "Unknown Error (Code=10054)."
Explanation & Solution: There are two possible reasons for this error message, which usually happens when trying to connect to a VPN server via an OpenVPN connection. You either need to check if your ports are forwarded correctly or if your device's firewall is blocking your Web traffic (this doesn't only include your Windows Firewall but also firewall solutions offered by antivirus software).
Error Message:Â "IKE authentication credentials are unacceptable."
Explanation & Solution: This error is related to IKE (Internet Key Exchange) credentials, which is one of the widely-used VPN protocols. If you’re facing this error, you should know that there’s nothing you can do. Since it’s related to problems on the server-end, you need to contact your VPN and report the problem.
Error Message:Â "The user [username] dialed a connection named [connection name] which has failed. The error code returned on failure is 13868."
Explanation & Solution: "Always On" VPN environments usually rely on the IKEv2 protocol, which ensures strong encryption and fast performance. With this said, the 13868 error is connected to default IKEv2 settings, indicating a mismatch between the client and the server.
First, you need to check the current IKEv2 policy configuration, which can be done on Windows by using an elevated PowerShell command window (therefore, make sure to open PowerShell with administrative privileges). Make sure to use the following command: "Get-VpnServerIPsecConfiguration" and press Enter. Now, make sure to check the IKEv2 security policy used by the VPN server. This same policy needs to be applied to the client as well, so use the "Get-VPNconnection -Name[connection name] | Select-Object -ExpandProperty IPsecCustom Policy" command. In case you see the IKEv2 security policy isn't the same on the server and the client, make sure to follow this tutorial to update your settings.
Error Message:Â "Unable to establish the VPN connection. The VPN server may be unreachable (-20199)."
Explanation & Solution: We have an error usually related to the Fortinet client here. For some reason, third-party software can block Fortinet from working properly, which means that certain settings need to be tweaked. More precisely, your need to update your WAN Miniport driver and settings. So, we recommend using VPNHosting's handy WAN Miniport Repair Tool. Click on the provided link to download the required software to your computer.
Error Message:Â "The certificate's CN name does not match the passed value."
Explanation & Solution: As you can see, there's a problem with your certificate's CN name (common name). You need to make sure that you're using the correct hostname to which your IP is resolving. If you're connecting to an X.X.X.X IP that resolves to (for example) 'myvpn.mydomain.com,' you need to make sure that your certificate contains that CN name.
Error Message:Â "No SSTP ports available on the server."
Explanation & Solution: As you can imagine, this error can happen if you’re using the SSTP protocol. As such, it can be resolved by making adjustments via the Remote Access Server, so here’s what you need to do.
Error Message:Â "Connection closed by remote host."
Explanation & Solution: Since this issue is related to HTTPS authentication certificates, there’s nothing you can do to fix it. Instead, you need to contact your VPN provider and report the problem.
Error Message: If you see the 'VPN Error Status' error when using the Hamachi client, something is blocking the client from tunneling properly.Â
Explanation & Solution: First, we recommend disabling and enabling Hamachi's virtual adapter. Go to Control Panel > Network & Sharing Center > Change Adapter Settings. Then, right-click on the Hamachi network adapter and select 'Disable.' Now, do the same, just make sure to click on 'Enable.'
You can also try restarting the Hamachi Tunneling Engine service. Press 'Window Key + R' on your keyboard, and type in 'services.msc.' Press enter, and then search for 'Hamachi Tunneling Service.' Right-click on it and select 'Disable.' Then, repeat the procedure, but make sure to click on 'Enable.'
Among other solutions, we recommend removing any previously installed TAP drivers, removing any firewall tools (including antivirus software), removing Oracle Virtual Box, and reinstalling your Hamachi client.
TechNadu's editorial team has been very busy producing all kinds of VPN reviews, guides, and other types of helpful content. With this said, check out the following resources.
Finally, in case of any questions, don’t hesitate to post a comment below. And in case you need additional help, we recommend checking our VPN troubleshooting guide.