Hi, Its been a while since I first wrote the article. I’m currently using Windows 10 Pro, 64-bit on a Microsoft Surface Pro 3. The version of the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client is 3.1.12020. Cisco AnyConnect unable to establish VPN connection. Cisco AnyConnect unable to establish VPN connection. Tech Guy Windows Support. Please Share Share Tweet. Disconnection or Inability to Establish Initial Connection. If you experience connection problems with the AnyConnect client, such as disconnections or the inability to establish an initial connection, obtain these files: The configuration file from the ASA in order to determine if anything in the configuration causes the connection failure.
Windows Users (macOS users, please scroll to the bottom)
There are a couple of reasons why a Windows user will get the error 'AnyConnect was not able to establish a connection to the specified secure gateway' or 'The VPN client agent was unable to create the interprocess communication depot' while trying to connect using the Software VPN:
- More than 1 user is logged on to the computer at one time or
- ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) is enabled.
Here's how to fix both problems.
More than 1 user is logged on to the computer at one time
Advise the user to restart the computer. This will logoff any other users who may be logged on. If the problem persists, read on.
Check to see if ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) is running
Cisco Anyconnect Was Not Able To Establish A Connection
- Select the Start button and then select the Control Panel.
- Under the Network and Internet category, select the Network and Sharing Center.
- In the left-hand panel select Change Adapter Settings.
- Right-click the network connection being shared (try the wired/Ethernet adapter connection first and then check the other adapters) and select Properties.
- Select the Sharing tab.
- Uncheck the box to Allow other network users to connect through this computer's connection.
- Select OK.
Additionally, check that the ICS service is not running.
- Select the Start button and then select Run.
- Type: services.msc and press ENTER on your keyboard.
- Find Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) and then stop the service.
- Change the Startup Type to Disabled and then reboot the computer.
macOS users
Unfortunately the current AnyConnect VPN client will only run on macOS versions newer than 10.12 (Sierra). Please update your operating system. Faculty and staff should partner their with their local CSC, and students should reach out to AntTech for assistance. The OITHD cannot assist with OS upgrades, and we cannot implement any changes to the network to get your computer to connect to the VPN. We apologize for the inconvenience. You may continue to use the WebVPN at https://vpn.uci.edu
Versions older than macOS 10.12 are no longer supported by Apple, so our recommendation is that you upgrade to at least Mavericks. Your system could be vulnerable to attacks that are fixed in newer releases, and your system could be compromised and used to attack other systems (and possibly used to attack UCI when you are using the VPN).
Cisco Anyconnect Cannot Establish Connection
In addition, there are bug fixes and security updates to the VPN client that necessitate it being updated to fix problems other users are having and to prevent security issues with older clients.