WatchGuard SSLVPN Service is Not Running (Windows)

Applies To: Cloud-managed Fireboxes, Locally-managed Fireboxes

When the WatchGuard SSLVPN Service fails to start, stops unexpectedly, or does not install correctly on the client system, Mobile VPN with SSL functionality becomes unavailable. Because this service initiates and maintains the SSL tunnel, any failure of the service prevents tunnel creation. As a result, VPN connection attempts fail, often before authentication or negotiation stages.

Symptoms

When the WatchGuard SSLVPN Service is not running you might experience these symptoms:

  • Mobile VPN with SSL connections fail as soon as they start.
  • The WatchGuard SSLVPN Service shows a status of Stopped or Disabled in the Windows Services list.
  • The WatchGuard SSLVPN Service does not appear in the Windows Services list.

Diagnostic Steps

On the affected device:

  1. To open the Windows Services window, press Win and R, type services.msc, and click OK.
  2. Locate the WatchGuard SSLVPN Service.
  3. Verify the status of the service.

Possible Causes and Solutions

Common causes and solutions include:

Possible Cause Solution
Service crashed.

To restart the WatchGuard SSLVPN Service:

  1. Press Win and R, type services.msc, and click OK.
  2. In the Services (Local) list, locate the WatchGuard SSLVPN Service.
  3. If the service is not running, right‑click the service and select Restart.

  4. If Restart is unavailable, select Start.
  5. If the service is unresponsive, select Stop, then Start.
Service does not start at system startup.

To start the service at startup:

  1. In the Services window, right‑click the WatchGuard SSLVPN Service and select Properties.

  2. From the Startup Type drop-down list, select Automatic or Automatic (Delayed Start).

  3. Click Apply, then click OK.

  4. Right‑click the service and select Start if it is not already running.
Service missing or removed. Reinstall the Mobile VPN with SSL client. For more information, go to Install the Mobile VPN with SSL Client.

Related Topics

About Mobile VPN with SSL

Troubleshoot Mobile VPN with SSL