Skip to main content

Remote Access & Firewalls

If Remote Access can't connect or the software can't detect an internet connection, your Windows Firewall may be blocking it. Follow these steps to enable the rules Remote Access needs.

Written by Kate Biel

📝 Overview

Depending on the level of security in Windows Firewall and any other antivirus firewalls running on your server computer, you may need to make some exceptions if you can't connect with Remote Access. This article covers the specific rules to enable so Remote Access works properly.

⛔️ Stop-gap: Check your internet connection first. If your internet connection isn't working, Remote Access can't be used. If you've verified it's working and you continue to receive a message from the software that Remote Access or the software can't detect an internet connection, make the exceptions below in your Windows Firewall.

🔥 Configure Windows Firewall for Remote Access

Start by enabling the Echo Request rules. If that doesn't fix the connection, add port rules for Remote Access.

📡 Enable the Echo Request Rules

These may be the only rules you need to enable to get Remote Access working.

  1. Go to Control Panel > System & Security > Windows Firewall.
    ​

  2. Click Advanced Settings on the left.
    ​

  3. The Windows Firewall with Advanced Security window opens.
    ​

  4. Click Inbound Rules in the upper left.
    ​

  5. Scroll through the list and find File and Printer Sharing (Echo Request - ICMPv4-In).
    ​

  6. You may see this entry listed multiple times. Right-click each one and click Enable Rule.
    ​

  7. Click Outbound Rules in the upper left.
    ​

  8. Repeat steps 5 & 6.
    ​

  9. Go back into the software and try to connect with Remote Access again. If the connection fails again, continue to Add Port Rules for Remote Access below.

🔌 Add Port Rules for Remote Access

If enabling the Echo Request rules didn't fix the connection, add rules that allow Remote Access through ports 8080-8085.

  1. Click New Rule... in the Actions pane on the right.
    ​

  2. Click the Port radio bubble and click Next.
    ​

  3. Click the TCP and Specific local ports radio bubbles, enter 8080-8085 in the box, and click Next.
    ​

  4. Click the Allow the connection radio bubble and click Next.
    ​

  5. Apply the rule to all three network types by checking each box, then click Next.
    ​

  6. Name the rule Remote Access TCP and click Finish.
    ​

  7. Click Inbound Rules in the upper left.
    ​

  8. Repeat steps 1-6.
    ​

  9. Go back to the software and try to connect with Remote Access again.

💡 Still can't connect? If these extra rules don't fix your firewall issue, check any antivirus software and make exceptions there as well. Refer to vendor-specific literature or a local network technician for help making the proper exceptions.

Related Articles
Did this answer your question?