Connection Troubles on Windows PC - Tips and advice

Can't connect to a VPN server? It's usually a problem with your local network, firewall, or anti-virus. It should also be noted that it will be difficult to connect if you try to use multiple VPNs or other proxies all at once. 

If you have problems with just one specific server, contact us by creating a ticket and let us know which one so we can get it back online. 

In the case that you can not connect to any of our VPN servers.  Please consider the following suggestions and advice:

• You must have an active internet connection in order to connect to a VPN server. A VPN is not an ISP, don't disable your regular internet, HotBot uses it to create your secure virtual network tunnel.

• Turn off your anti-virus programs and disable all firewalls. Disable Windows Firewalls, Avast, etc. Then uninstall and reinstall HotBot VPN. Keeping the anti-virus disabled until you have completed the installation. Then try to make a VPN connection, if it works, then you can try to turn the anti-virus back on.

• An anti-virus program can create firewalls and block certain VPN connections
  • Check the settings on your anti-virus app and make sure you allow HotBot VPN to be trusted in all aspects of launching and connecting. If any anti-virus program asks you about a "HotBot Network" then you have to trust/allow/approve it in order for the VPN to work.
    
    
• It is possible that your router itself is blocking VPN connections or ports. Double-check your router settings if possible. You will have to log in as admin on your routers admin page. Then depending on your model of router, find the VPN and firewall settings.
  
  
• Perform a "Network Reset". open the Start Menu and search for Network Reset.  Run the app and perform the reset. 
  
  
• If you are on a laptop, then try using the app on a different network. If it's successful then the issue is on your network.

• DNS cache reset and renew IP configuration

  • In the Command Prompt.. (this can be started using the Start button -> All apps -> Windows System -> Command Prompt(right click-> More -> Run as administrator. The security question has to be answered with a click on "Yes".)  ..execute the following commands one after another to reset the DNS cache and renew the IP configuration: (for each, type a command, then hit enter key to execute)

    • netsh int ip delete arpcache

    • ipconfig /flushdns

    • ipconfig /renew

• Resetting network configurations and Winsock

  • In the Command Prompt execute the following commands one after another to reset the network configurations and Winsock: (for each, type a command, then hit enter key to execute)

    • netsh int ip reset

    • netsh int ipv6 reset

    • netsh winsock reset

    • *Then reboot the computer.

• Try to test for blocked ports on your network
  • Open the Start Menu and search for CMD. Right-click on CMD and Run as Administrator. With the Command Prompt open, type exactly this; (then hit enter key to execute)
    • netstat -ano | findstr -i SYN_SENT
      • •                   ...if you get no results, this means your PC isn't blocking the connection. If some results appear, then there is an app or setting on your PC that is blocking certain connections. You need to find it and disable the blocking. 

• Try Resetting the WAN Miniport adapters in the Device Manager

  • Administrative privileges are required for this. The Device Manager can be found using the Start button -> All apps -> Windows System -> Control Panel -> Hardware and Sound -> Device Manager. In the menu activateView -> Show hidden devices so all devices are visible. Then in the Network adapters section right click eachWAN Miniportadapter and uninstall it. Afterward in the menu chooseAction -> Scan for hardware changes to reinstall the adapters again. Then quit and re-open HotBot VPN app.