Fix: Windows 10 PPTP VPN not Working

Conflicting firewall or missing updates can cause issues

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Key notes

  • PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol) is one of the oldest known VPN protocols.
  • However, despite it being around for a while, PPTP can be less reliable than other protocols.
  • For instance, you may notice that your PPTP VPN may refuse to connect on Windows 10.
  • The guide below will teach you what to do when your PPTP VPN just won't connect.
Windows 10 PPTP VPN is not connecting

Are you looking for the right solution for your Windows 10 PPTP VPN not connecting problem? You are in the right spot.

PPTP stands for Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol. PPTP VPN on the other hand is one of the oldest protocols used on LAN networks. It utilizes 128-bit encryption and it is compatible with Windows OS.

Meanwhile, some Windows 10 users reported the PPTP VPN not connecting problem. Also, this problem is common on computer networks, such as LAN or even WAN.

We have enlisted some solutions for you, so ensure you go through them below. Moreover, any of our compiled solutions can fix the VPN connection problem.

Fix: Windows 10 PPTP VPN won’t connect

1. Check your internet connection

Firstly, to check your internet connection. This will enable you to determine if you have an active internet connection. For instance, your broadband data subscription might be exhausted resulting in a problem. Hence, you can try other modes of internet connection to see if it works.

Alternatively, you can reset your router or restart your internet connection, and then connect to VPN on your Windows 10 machine.

Meanwhile, if you still get the error after trying out this fix, you may proceed to the next solution.


2. Use an alternative VPN solution

Some VPNs don’t utilize PPTP any longer; this is because PPTP is less secure compared to the latest connection protocols such as SSTP, IKEv2, L2TP, OpenVPN, and many more.

However, some VPN service providers still utilize PPTP connection protocols. Therefore, you may want to try them out so as to bypass the ‘Windows 10 PPTP VPN not connecting’ problem.

One very good example is Private Internet Access, a VPN service owned and continuously developed and supported by Kape Technologies, the same company that created CyberGhost.

PIA features WireGuard®, PPTP, OpenVPN, and L2TP/IPSec technologies, along with SOCKS5 Proxy, and the ability to choose from Different VPN gateways.

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3. Change time and location

Windows 10 PPTP VPN , not connecting problem might also be caused by incorrect date and time. Also, if your VPN server location ‘date and time’ is different from your Windows 10 date and time, the VPN connection problem might occur.

Here’s how to set time automatically:

  • Press Windows key > Select Settings > Select Time and Languagewindows 10 pptp vpn not connecting
  • Toggle the option Set Time Automatically to ensure it is turned on.
  • Close the window and restart your PC.
  • After booting up your PC, launch the web browser, and then attempt to launch the website again.

If the Windows 10 PPTP VPN not connecting error prompt persists, proceed to the next solution.


4. Repair your PC Registry

Invalid Windows registry keys, missing DLLs, and even obsolete software leftovers can also cause Windows 10 PPTP VPN not connecting. Hence, you need clean up your Windows registry.

SFC Scan , on the other hand, is a Windows built-in tool that verifies all system files and fixes files with issues. Here’s how to run an SFC scan on all Windows’ versions:

  • Go to Start > type cmd > right-click Command Prompt > select Run as Administrator.windows 10 pptp vpn not connecting
  • Now, type the sfc /scannow command.Windows Defender quick scan not working
  • Wait for the scanning process to complete and then restart your computer. All corrupted files will be replaced on reboot.

5. Reinstall network drivers

Sometimes, the network drivers might be outdated, corrupted, or even inactive. Hence, you may consider reinstalling the network drivers on your Windows 10 PC. Here’s how to reinstall network drivers:

  • Go to Start > Type Device Manager, and then hit Enter key.
  • Locate Network Adapters
  • Uninstall available network drivers.windows 10 pptp vpn not connecting
  • Click Action > Scan for hardware changes
  • Wait for the process to be completed. (This will reinstall the drivers)
  • Connect to the VPN afterward

In addition, you can also update your network drivers automatically by using automated software.

Get Outbyte Driver Updater

If you are still getting Windows 10 PPTP VPN not connecting prompt, then you might want to reinstall your VPN client software in the next solution below.


6. Reinstall your VPN

Here’s how to reinstall VPN client on your Windows 10 PC:

  • Go to Start > Control Panel
  • Select Uninstall a program under Programs menuwindows 10 pptp vpn not connecting
  • Find your VPN from the list of programs and select Uninstall
  • In the Setup Wizard, click you’ll get a notification after a successful uninstall, so click Close to exit the wizard.
  • If the VPN is still listed as available after uninstalling it, go to Start > Run
  • Type ncpa.cpl and press Enter to open the Network Connections window
  • Under Network Connections, right-click on the WAN Miniport labeled your VPN
  • Select Delete
  • Go to Start > Type Network Connections, and press Enter. Right-click a VPN connection and use the Delete option.
  • Select VPN.
    • If you see your VPN as available, delete it.

After the complete uninstall, you can then install the VPN client on your Windows 10 PC afterward. Meanwhile, we do recommend that you install the latest VPN client version on your PC.


7. Install the latest Windows Updates

Some VPN client software requires the latest Windows .NET Framework and several Windows components. Failure to have some of these components can result in the Windows 10 PPTP VPN not connecting error issue.

Moreover, the latest Windows updates improve your PC’s security, performance, and operations. Hence, we recommend that you install the latest Windows updates.

Here’s how to do this:

  1. Go to Start>type “update” in the search box and then click on Windows Update to proceed.Start Menu button frozen
  2. In the Windows Update window, check for updates and install the available updates.

8. Temporarily disable security programs

Some antivirus programs can block VPN software on Windows 10. Hence, you need to exclude your VPN from your antivirus protection settings.

Here’s how to do this in Windows Defender:

  • Launch Windows Defender Security Center
  • Now, go to Virus & Threat protection settingswindows 10 pptp vpn not connecting
  • Select Exclusions
  • Select Add or remove exclusions
  • Select Add an exclusion and add your VPN client software

In addition, Windows Firewall as well can also prevent PPTP VPN from connecting; therefore, you need to enable your VPN in Windows Firewall Advanced settings.

Here’s how to do this:

  • Go to Start > Type Allow a program through Windows firewall and then hit Enter key
  • Click on Change Settings optionswindows 10 pptp vpn not connecting
  • Now, click on Allow another program
  • Select the VPN software you want to add, or click Browse to find the VPN software, and then click OK.
  • Check if you can connect to your VPN.

9. Enable rule for PPTP

Here’s how to enable rule for PPTP on Windows 10:

  • Go to Start > Control Panel
  • Now, go to Windows Firewall > Select Advanced Settingswindows 10 pptp vpn not connecting
  • Search for the Routing and Remote Access under Inbound Rules and Outbound Rules.
    • For Inbound Rules: right-click Routing and Remote Access (PPTP-In), select Enable Rule.
    • For Outbound Rules: right-click Routing and Remote Access (PPTP-Out), select Enable Rule.

10. Manually setup PPTP VPN connection

You can also request for PPTP account setup instructions from your VPN service provider and follow the instructions. Alternatively, you can setup PPTP VPN manually on your Windows 10 computer.

However, you need a VPN account and a working internet connection.

Follow these steps to manually set up PPTP VPN:

  1. Right-click Start > Settings> Click Network and internet > Click VPN.
  2. Now, Click Add a VPN connection and then click the dropdown menu.
  3. Check Windows (built-in), and then click the Connection name field.
  4. Type a name for the VPN connection.
  5. Click the Server name or address field and enter the server’s address.
  6. Click the dropdown menu below VPN type and select the PPTP connection protocol.
  7. Now, click the dropdown menu below Type of sign-in info, tick a sign-in method, and click on Save.
  8. To connect, click on the VPN you just set up., and click Connect

Also, your VPN service provider will provide you with VPN client software as well. You can install the VPN client software, and then follow the prompts to set up PPTP VPN on your Windows 10 machine.

Have you tried any other solution? Let us know by commenting below or you can ask questions if any. We would gladly respond.

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