Fix VPN Connection Failed with Error 800: 5 Easy Methods

So you’ve got the VPN Error 800: Error connecting to server or Connection failed with error 800. To be honest, this is not unusual. There are many things that could cause it, but it happens from time to time and isn’t a major concern. We just want to congratulate you on using a VPN in the first place. Even if you have nothing of interest in your browsing history, protecting your privacy by hiding IP address with a VPN is effortless. Well, unless you run into problems like these. As you’ll soon see, it might a case of “did you turn it off, then on?”.

What is Error Code 800?

Error 800 is a code that describes a situation where a VPN connection fails. It can happen because the ensuing VPN tunnels fail to create a connection. Or it can even happen when the user tries to connect to a VPN server, and the server is offline. Lastly, another possibility dictates a fault with the IPsec configuration, given that the VPN in question was supposedly using L2TP/IPsec to establish a connection in the first place.

The error only happens in those VPNs that configure VPN tunnels automatically. Hence, it is possible to overcome this error by:

• Manually configuring the VPN tunnel your VPN client is supposed to use.
• Unblocking IKE ports which are UDP 500 and, 4500
• And lastly, by ensuring the correct IKE certificates are available on both the VPN client and server.

Troubleshooting Error Code 800:

Given below are a few troubleshooting solutions to a VPN Error Code 800:

• Ensure whether the VPN server is online – If you keep getting the code on a particular server, chances are that the server is down. Hence, you can check the server status before proceeding with any other solutions. You can perform an ICMP ping test to check the server status.
• Double-check your VPN client – Similarly, the VPN client can also be at fault. Due to lacking certifications or other technicalities, a client can fail during VPN tunneling. Thus, you can use a different VPN client to make sure everything else is in order.
• Enter the correct Server address – Sometimes, the human factor also plays an integral part in errors. Make sure you are entering the correct Server address in your client.
• Turn off your Firewall – There are times when a Firewall can stop your VPN from initiating a VPN connection. Thus, disable your Firewall and try again. If this works, you would have to add your VPN to your Firewall Whitelist.
• Update your Router firmware – If you are using a VPN router to establish a connection, then chances are the firmware is out of date. Hence, install the latest firmware and try again.

Methods to Fix VPN Connection Failed with Error 800

Here are a few things that could be a VPN Connection Failed with Error 800 fix.

1. Recreate your VPN connection

First on our list of the steps to solve VPN Connection Failed with Error 800 is the simplest one. Remove the current VPN connection. Now, do the exact thing you did you first setup a VPN on Windows or Mac. Enter the same information, then try to reconnect. You’d be surprised how many times this fixes the problem.

2. Double-check your information or ask for new credentials

If the above doesn’t work, check the information and compare it to the one given by the VPN provider. You might have made a typo, or unconsciously switched a number somewhere. If everything looks right, it’s possible that the server is down. Request new credentials, preferably for a server in the same country, from the same VPN provider. Whether you use a free VPN service or bought a VPN, they will comply. After all, it’s in their interest to keep you as the satisfied user.

3. Ping VPN IP and FQDN

If you got new credentials and the problem persist, do a little troubleshooting of your own. Connect to a VPN and try to check a VPN. If you can’t, do this on Windows.

1. Open the Start tab.
2. Type ‘command’ until Command Prompt is selected.
3. Click on Run as administrator in the bar on the right.
4. When the window opens, type nslookup myip.opendns.com resolver1.opendns.com
5. Press Enter on your keyboard.
6. Copy the address under a Non-authoritative answer.
7. Now, type ping *that IP address*.
   For example, ping 192.71.95.21
8. If you see a reply, the next step is to ping the FQDN (fully qualified domain name) in the same fashion.
   It looks like a domain name, but with a prefix. Ask your VPN provider for it.
9. If you ping the FQDN and get no reply, it means there is a DNS problem. Report that to the VPN service provider and they will come up with a solution.

The same can be done on Mac by opening Terminal instead of Command Prompt. On Mac, type ‘Terminal’ in the Launchpad. Alternatively, open Finder, then Applications, then Utilities, and double-click on Terminal.

4. Configure your Firewall

Although its primary use is to protect you, on both Windows and Mac, Firewall can prevent your VPN connection from establishing. However, unlike on Windows, it is disabled by default on Mac in most cases, so it’s not likely to be the problem. First, it makes sense to temporarily disable it completely. That way, you’ll know whether it’s the problem or not right away. Do this.

1. Open the Start tab.
2. Type ‘Firewall’ and select Windows Defender Firewall from the list of options.
3. In the menu on the left, click on Turn Windows Firewall on or off.
4. Turn both Private networks and Guest or public networks off.
5. Try to establish a VPN connection again.
6. If it works, you can enable the Firewall again.
7. Now that you know what the problem is, you’ll want to unblock certain ports to allow a VPN connection through.

Which port do I need to add?

The ports can be vastly different based on the VPN security protocol, as we mentioned in our guide on how to bypass VPN block. You’ll have to do a little research or ask your VPN provider for details. For example, the PPTP protocol, which is rarely used since there are more powerful alternatives, used TCP Port 1723. Nowadays, many VPNs use ports 80 and 443, since they’re needed for HTTPS and SSL, and websites can’t afford to block them. We’ve also had luck unblocking the 1707 port for L2TP/IPSec. Unfortunately, that protocol is slowly replaced by IKEv2/IPSec, a better alternative.

1. Follow steps 1 and 2 above.
2. Select Advanced settings in the menu on the left.
3. Click on Inbound Rules.
4. Click on New Rule… on the right-hand side.
5. Select Port and click Next.
6. Now, select TCP or UDP.
   You can later come back and select the other one if the port uses TCP and UDP.
7. Click on Specific local ports.
8. Now, enter the port number and click Next.
9. Click on Allow the connection and click Next.
10. Put a checkmark in front of Private and Domain and then click Next.
11. Name the port rule however you wish.
12. Click on Finish.
13. Do this as many times as you need to add ports. You can add the same port number but for TCP if you used UDP, and vice versa.

5. Resort to using a dedicated VPN application/program

If nothing works, we suggest choosing a provider on the list of best VPN for Windows and downloading their application. They all have equivalent Mac apps as well. The best part is, the application will open ports, deal with Firewall (it will be allowed through by default), and with VPN configuration automatically. You just have to change a VPN server from time to time. In all honesty, you don’t even have to – it’s possible to make a VPN always ON too.