Issue

My Anonymizer Universal Can’t Connect to L2TP.

Error Message

• The request has timed out.
• The L2TP connection attempt failed because the security layer encountered a processing error during initial negotiations with the remote computer.
• The L2TP connection attempt failed because security negotiation timed out.
• The network connection between your computer and the VPN server could not be established because the remote server is not responding. This could be because one of the network devices (for example, firewalls, NAT, routers) between your computer and the remote server is not configured to allow VPN connections.

Resolution

Please follow the instructions below.

These errors are received when the L2TP/IPsec connection to Anonymizer Universal’s servers is lost or blocked. Begin by clicking “Try Again”.

1. Click on the little orange box with an “A” in your Mac or Windows status bar
2. Select the settings drop down
3. Click on the “Check for Updates” button
4. If an update in available, please download and install the update
5. Click “Connect”

Check for any updates to Anonymizer Universal.

1. Click on the little orange box with an “A” in your Mac or Windows status bar
2. Select the settings drop down
3. Click on the “Check for Updates” button
4. If an update in available, please download and install the update
5. Click “Connect”

Follow these steps to ensure you have all the services properly enabled.

1. Click on the “Start/Windows” icon and open the “Control Panel”
2. Open “Administrative Tools”
3. Open “Services”
4. Double-click each of the following Services and set to “Automatic”
5. IKE Services (Windows Vista® and Windows 7® only) (Set to “Automatic”).
6. If the service is not started, click “Start” to start the service.
7. IPSEC Services (Set to “Automatic”).
8. If the service is not started, click “Start” to start the service.
9. Double-click each of the following Services and set to “Manual”
10. Remote Access Connection Manager (Set to “Manual- cannot be disabled”).
11. If the service is not started, click “Start” to start the service.
12. Telephony (Set to “Manual- cannot be disabled”)
13. Restart your computer and connect to “Anonymizer Universal”

• Ensure that your firewall is configured to allow Anonymizer Universal, as this is the most common cause of the types of errors listed above.
  • Begin by adding “universal.anonymizer.com” as a Trusted Network within your Firewall, and Anonymizer Universal as an allowed program within the “Program Control.”
  • If you have the option to unblock certain ports, please ensure that port 500, 4500, 1701, and 1702 are open for incoming and outgoing UDP traffic to the universal.anonymizer.com domain.

Please see Firewall-Hardware for more specific instructions.

Please keep in mind that some routers have firewalls as well. If you continue to receive an error after configuring your software firewall, please see Firewall-Hardware for an example of a hardware firewall configuration.

This error can also be resolved by switching the connection method being used by Anonymizer Universal. Use any of the options below.

Option 1

1. To change connection methods, please insure Anonymizer Universal is not connected.
2. Click on the “Anonymizer Universal” icon. (If already open with failed connection attempt, click “Cancel”)
3. Click the Settings to expand the menu.
4. Locate the “Connection Method” drop down field.
5. Select OpenVPN – TCP. (All of the protocols offer the same 256 bit encryption).

Option 2

1. To change connection methods, please insure Anonymizer Universal is not connected.
2. Click on the “Anonymizer Universal” icon. (If already open with failed connection attempt click “Cancel”)
3. Click the Settings to expand the menu.
4. Locate the “Connection Method” drop down field.
5. Select OpenVPN – UDP. (All of the protocols offer the same 256 bit encryption.).