Pulse Secure Disconnecting Frequently: How to Stop it

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Key notes

  • If you are running Pulse Secure VPN client and the connection keeps dropping, you may have a weak connection.
  • Usually, connecting to an Ethernet cable will do the trick as wireless connections tend to have a lot of interference.
  • If that doesn't work, you should proceed to try other advanced troubleshooting methods listed below. Updating network drivers is one of our recommendations.

Pulse Secure is a popular VPN client used by many organizations and individuals. You can download it in different ways and set it up on your Windows PC.

Although it’s a great tool to protect your privacy, you may find that it disconnects from the VPN server at random times.

This can be frustrating if you’re trying to use it for an extended period of time. Fortunately, there are several ways to stop Pulse Secure VPN from disconnecting on Windows 10/11.

If you are using Windows 10 or 11 and noticed that after connecting to the Pulse Secure VPN, it disconnects every few minutes, we have a few workarounds you can try.

Why does my Pulse Secure keep disconnecting?

If you are using Pulse Secure on Windows 10/11 and have found that the connection keeps disconnecting, it could be because of one or more of the following reasons:

  • Poor Internet connection – When your internet connection is slow or unstable, it may cause the Pulse Secure client to keep disconnecting again and again. You should try changing your Wi-Fi network or upgrading your router as well.
  • Outdated network drivers –  It could be that there is a problem with your network card or its drivers. To check this out, try installing the latest version of drivers from your vendorโ€™s website or update your drivers manually.
  • Firewall settings – Another reason could be that your antivirus software may have blocked Pulse Secure from connecting to the internet or from accessing some files on its server. Make sure that your antivirus software is up-to-date and scans for viruses. If it still does not work then try disabling your antivirus temporarily and see if that works for you.
  • Outdated Pulse Secure version – If you are running an older version of Pulse Secure, it may no longer be supported.  Check for an updated version on the website and update if necessary.

So, how long does Pulse Secure stay connected? Pulse Secure has a 24-hour timeout in which you are required to reconnect. You can time yourself to finish your work before it elapses to avoid interruptions.

However, if Pulse Secure disconnects every 5 minutes, there may be an underlying problem that needs to be addressed.

๐Ÿ–Š๏ธ Quick Tip!
To reduce the risk of being disconnected, use a VPN with a large server base. Private Internet Access has over 35 000 servers across the globe.

It’s secure, with DNS protection and military-grade encryption. Plus, the PIA app has a killswitch feature that will temporarily block traffic data if you disconnect.

โ‡’ Get PIA

How do you stop Pulse Secure from disconnecting?  

1. Use an Ethernet cable

Try changing from a wireless connection and use an Ethernet cable when connecting your device with Pulse Secure VPN. 

While this may seem like an odd suggestion, it actually works because most wireless connections have issues with latency and connection drops that are caused by interference or distance from the router itself.

2. Disable the firewall temporarily

  1. Hit the Windows key, search for Windows Security and click Open.
  2. Select Firewall & network protection.
  3. Click on Public network.
  4. Toggle off the Microsoft defender Firewall button.

3. Update network drivers

  1. Press the Windows key, type Device Manager in the search bar and click Open.
  2. Navigate to your network driver, right-click and select Update Driver Software.
  3. Select Search automatically for updated driver software.

Another option is to use a dedicated tool like Outbyte Driver Updater. It can identify outdated drivers on your PC and install the latest versions. If you want, you can automate this task and let it run regular driver updates.

Does Pulse Secure work with Windows 11? 

If Pulse Secure keeps disconnecting in Windows 11, you may wonder whether there are any compatibility issues. Well, Pulse Secure works with Windows 11.

Although it is compatible with the OS, there have been a number of reported Pulse Secure Windows 11 issues. Nonetheless, the VPN still works and you can always use Windows 10 if they become too annoying.

We hope one of our recommendations was able to solve your disconnection errors but if not, Pulse Secure is not the only available VPN you can use to secure your privacy. We have an excellent list of reliable VPNs for you Windows 11.

Let us know what method worked out for you in the comment section below.