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FIX: Failed to initialize connection subsystem - Cisco

3 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

Cisco AnyConnectis more than just aVPN, as it empowers your workforce to be able to work from any location, on any device, and at any time.

However, this doesn’t mean that it’s free of errors. In fact, it has quite a few issues, but thankfully none of them is without a solution.

One of the most common problems is thefailed to initialize the connection subsystem inCiscoAnyConnecterror.

Apparently, it mostly occurs for Windows users, but it also happens in the following scenarios:

Microsoft has confirmed that thefailed to initialize connection subsystem inCiscoAnyConnecterror is related to Microsoft products.

Namely:

Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter, Standard, Essentials and Foundation, Windows 8.1 Enterprise and Pro, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.

Check out some solutions that can help you work around this error and fix it on your computer.

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Failed to initialize connection subsystem in Cisco AnyConnect error fix

Go to Microsoft Update

You can install the most recent cumulative security update for Internet Explorer directly from Windows’ built-in update tool.

Alternatively, you could download and apply the update manually.

However, if you choose the latter, you should check the Affected Software table inMicrosoft’s Security Bulletin MS15-018for download links.

If this didn’t do the trick, move on to our next suggested fix.

Run compatibility troubleshooter on Cisco AnyConnect

The failed to initialize connection subsystem inCiscoAnyConnect error usually has to do with a recent Windows Update.

Having issues while installing Cisco AnyConnect? Check out our guide and learn how to bypass them easily.

However, you can also useCiscoAnyConnect’s proprietary troubleshooter tool to try and solve it.

All you have to do is follow these steps:

Note: Forvpnagent.exe– the local service that supports the client user interface – you may need to repeat these steps.

Sometimes thefailed to initialize the connection subsystem inCiscoAnyConnecterror could happen because the Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) is enabled on your LAN.

Here’s how to resolve this:

Use the registry editor

If you have the failed to initialize connection subsystem inCiscoAnyConnect error, you can fix it by making a small edit to the registry using the steps below:

Check whether you are able to connect.

Conclusion

All things considered, if you encounter thefailed to initialize the connection subsystem inCiscoAnyConnecterror, there are ways to fix it.

We recommend you try our suggested methods one by one. We’re confident you’ll find one that eventually does the trick.

Which one of our suggested fixes worked best for you? Let us know by dropping a comment in the section below.

FIX: Failed to initialize connection subsystem - Cisco#

Failed to initialize connection subsystem in Cisco AnyConnect error fix#

Go to Microsoft Update#

Run compatibility troubleshooter on Cisco AnyConnect#

Disable Internet Connection Sharing#

Use the registry editor#

Conclusion#