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FIX: VPN error 806 (GRE blocked) on Windows 10/11
4 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
Error 806 is aVPN error messagethat occurs on Windows 10 and older Windows. It goes like this:
A connection between your computer and theVPNserver has been established but theVPNconnection cannot be completed. Error Code 806 – The most common cause for this failure is that at least one Internet device (for example, a firewall or router) between your computer and theVPNserver is not configured to allow Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) protocol packets. If the problem persists, contact your network administrator or Internet Service Provider.
The description message says the VPN error 806 likely occurs due to incorrect settings involving GRE passthrough.
Don’t worry since you can fix this issue without expert PC skills, whether you’re runningWindows 10or an older Windows.
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How can I fix VPN error 806 in Windows 10?
Open port 1723 over TCP
Open GRE port for protocol 47
Discover more aboutopening firewall ports on your PC.
Use a reliable VPN service
If you manually configured a VPN connection on Windows 10, you might occasionally stumbled upon errors like 806.
To avoid this issue on the long term, we suggest opting for a commercial, reliable VPN service such asPrivate Internet Access. It sets up the secure tunnel automatically whenever you connect to a VPN server.
You can even set up your computer to accept incoming VPN connections by requestingport forwardingin PIA, without having to change any router settings.
More about PIA:
Private Internet Access
Add an exception to the firewall
If yourfirewall didn’t whitelist your VPNwhen you created the secure tunnel, it might be the reason why you keep seeing VPN error 806 on Windows 10.
Whitelist the VPN app in your antivirus
If you don’t have a third-party antivirus, it means that Windows Defender is in charge of your firewall settings.
So, if you already added an exception for your VPN app using the Windows firewall, you don’t need to go through this stage anymore.
Otherwise, fire up your anti-malware solution and make sure to add your VPN app to the whitelist section. It willstop your antivirus from blocking your VPN.
If you frequently encounter this problem, check out thebest antivirus solutions with VPN.
Allow PPTP passthrough on your router
Access the admin page of your router and look for PPTP and/or PPTP passthrough settings.
Enable these options for incoming and outgoing settings to ensure that your home router doesn’t block VPN traffic when using PPTP.
An alternative solution is tobuy a router with ready VPN functionality.
Conclusion
To recap, you can fix VPN error 806 on your Windows 10 computer by opening port 1723 over TCP and port GRE over protocol 47, or by adding an exception to the system firewall.
You can also whitelist the VPN app in your anti-malware tool and configure router settings to allow PPTP passthrough.
But a more convenient solution is to get a reliable VPN service like Private Internet Access (buy here).
Which of our solutions worked for you? Do you have any other suggestions? Leave us a comment in the dedicated section below.
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More about the topics:VPN errors,windows 10
Elena Constantinescu
Windows Software Expert
Elena started writing professionally in 2010 and hasn’t stopped exploring the tech world since. With a firm grasp of software reviewing and content editing, she is always trying new things to improve her skill set.
Once in a blue moon, she steps aside from the desk to play with her bunny and to water her probably dead plants.
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Elena Constantinescu
Windows Software Expert
Elena started writing professionally in 2010 and hasn’t stopped exploring the tech world since. She’s a software reviewer and content editor.
