Having problems with FortiClient

VPN
1

First off, if this isn’t quite the right subreddit, please let me know. This seemed the only one that fit.

Second, I want to say I’m a reasonably tech savvy 53F, although I’m not a tech pro, I don’t code, etc. But I get some basics.

I do some telecommuting and we use FortiClient for a VPN. I use a Mac and sometimes had trouble connecting after a reboot or restart, usually “solved” by just repeated attempts to log in until it worked. Last week, I had problems and couldn’t connect at all, and repeated attempts did nothing. I still can’t connect and was hoping someone could help.

I have a MacAir Pro, running Sonoma 14.2.1 after a firmware update last Friday. I uninstalled FortiClient 6(ish), then downloaded and installed FortiClient 7.2, after reading the OS and FortiClient versions could have conflicts.

I entered the IP info, port, username and password for my VPN. The password is accepted, and then I’m prompted for a FortiToken. When I enter the token, I can see it working, but it does not connect, and I do not get any kind of error message.

I have allowed disc access for ftcservctl, ftcservctl2 and FortiClient in my systems preferences. In my Network systems preferences, WiFi is connected, Firewall is active, and VPN is inactive. I added FortiClient to my Firewall options to allow incoming connections.

Under VPN, it says “disconnected” next to a FortiClient icon, but I cannot switch the disconnected button. I haven’t tried adding a VPN Configuration because I don’t know what they mean. I get a drop down menu of VPN Configurations with the following options: L2TP over IPSec, Cisco IPSec, and IKE v2.

I have been discussing this with my supervisor but can’t do more until tomorrow since the office is closed and he’s off. I’ve also found some articles online and have tried some suggestions and will work on more, but was hoping someone here might have some ideas. Thanks.

2

Had the same issue. You have to clear all previous install files and data.

Start with a clean reboot.

Shutdown firticlient.

Delete /Librabry/forticlient

Delete all forticlients in /librabry/application support

Empty the trash

Uninstall the forticlient with the uninstalled in your apps folder.

Reboot

Install new forticlient

Make sure to accept the notifications and that full disk access is granted to the helper process and the forticlient app

Reboot.

Configure forticlient

Success!

The above is what I had to do to fix mine on Sonoma as well.

3

Has this been resolved? I’m having a similar issue where I can’t connect all of a sudden. Everything worked fine on Monday (4 days ago) and now it just won’t connect. I’ve been with our IT supports for two whole days trying to fix it but nothing seems to work. They say the issue is on my end even though I haven’t changed ANYTHING, didn’t update anything, but they say they are able to connect using a different computer. I don’t the mobile phone, and I also tried connecting using my phones hot spot on my pc instead of my router connection.

I don’t know how other people use it, but I’m hitting connect and prompt to a browser to enter my Microsoft user account, then a code is sent to my phone, I enter it and its suppose to connect. All of the above steps are being done just like that but the FrotiClient is stuck on 98%.

As I said, the IT department worked on my pc but nothing seems to work. I’ve also followed the steps of deleting, rebooting, and installing again and still nothing

4

Make sure you using the latest release of FortiClient 7.2 software branch which I think is .3. There are numerous reported issues with 7.2.2.

5

Hey, sorry to ask the obvious question, but have you contacted your IT department/vendor?

6

i have to use an old version of forticlient. you can check if it’s the client by using a different client… such as openfortivpn.

i prefer openfortivpn anyways.

7

Are you using Fortitoken Mobile to get your tokens, or are you receiving your tokens via email? Check with the admin and, if you are using FTK Mobile, have your account re-synced.

8

Thank you for the detailed list! I’ll definitely try that this afternoon. I think I did most of these steps already, although I didn’t delete the library files or empty the trash.

9

This unfortunately did not work. I followed each step; the only issue was the third. I did not have or could not find “Library/FortiClient” to delete. I was able to do everything else, but ran into the same problem. Password accepted, token not accepted, but no error message. Thanks, though.

10

We solved it by making a connection using one of the IPSec options. Then I was able to connect with absolutely no problems, and haven’t had a problem since.

This was my supervisor’s idea. We spent maybe four hours on a couple of video calls with their tech support, and he may have spent more, but nothing we tried worked. Then he suggested using the IPSec option, and voilà. I just selected that, entered my info, and it connected.

11

Thank you. I’ll double check. I downloaded it two or three days ago so hopefully that’s the right one.

ETA: Just checked and I have 7.2.2.0776 so I’ll download it again. Thanks again.

ETA2: That looks to be the latest.

12

I don’t have one. I telecommute, but not full time, so I’m considered a consultant for the company and for any tech help I usually start with my supervisor and another guy. I have asked my supervisor, and he gave me some info last week, but with the holidays, he’s on a lighter schedule.

If we can’t work it out, he will contact the necessary people and start a ticket or whatever. We just haven’t gotten to that point with this, at least not yet.

13

Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind but I need to use what they tell me/recommend.

14

I am using the mobile app on my phone to get my token. I did ask about this and we can try it but my boss thought since I was simply updating the app, and not using a new device, a new QR code (for the syncing, yes?) wasn’t necessary.

15

apologies, i wrote that while i taking a poo from memory. heres what we documented internally on this… with the correct paths :slight_smile:

​

  1. Close forticlient from the taskbar
  2. Delete forticlient files from Library/LaunchDaemons
  3. Delete forticlient files from Library/Application Support/Fortinet
  4. Empty the recycling Bin
  5. Uninstall forticlient using forticlientuninstaller.app
  6. Reboot the computer
  7. Install Forti client 7.2.2.0776
  8. Accept notifications popup
  9. Make sure forticlient and fctservctl2 have full disk access (you might need to toggle off then back on.
  10. Open forticlient and accept the EULA
  11. Close the forticlient
  12. Reboot
  13. Configure your VPN connections and connection should be successful.
16

I’ll try suggesting it to the IT team, as of right now I can’t work from home :persevering_face:

17

Just updating that I ended up downgrading FortiClient to version 7.0.3.0193 and everything works again

18

Latest Version is 7.2.3, so try that out If possible:

We had massive problems with MacOS 14 too, seems to be at least partially to be in Apple’s Side this time.

19

It’s definitely required. For security reasons Fortinet prevents token reuse on new devices. Users at work getting new laptops or phones has been the bane of my existence for the past two years because they never notify me in advance, and as a trading firm, traders don’t seem to get that frantically telling me they cannot connect at 8:30am is a completely avoidable panic. :joy:

20

while i taking a poo from memory

This was a really funny phrase. Thanks, made me laugh this morning.

I appreciate you re-stating the steps. I’ll run through them and try again.