Fixing "Error calling protect() method on socket" on Mac & Windows

Here’s how to troubleshoot the “Error calling protect() method on socket” error on both macOS (specifically M-series MacBooks) and Windows. The “Error calling protect() method on socket” can be a frustrating issue when using OpenVPN. It indicates a problem that prevents the OpenVPN client from establishing a secure connection. This article provides detailed steps to troubleshoot this error on both macOS (specifically M-series MacBooks) and Windows.

For macOS (M-Series MacBooks)

The “error calling protect method” on an OpenVPN client usually indicates a problem with the ovpnagent service, which is a background process responsible for managing the VPN tunnel on macOS. This error means the service isn’t running properly, preventing the OpenVPN client from establishing a secure connection.

Here’s how to troubleshoot:

Check the service status:

Open your terminal and run

ps auxww | grep ovpnagent

If you don’t see the process listed, it’s not running.

Restart the OpenVPN client:

Try closing and relaunching the OpenVPN application.

Check Login Items:

Re-enable OpenVPN’s startup settings in “Settings > General > Login Items”. Ensure it has background access.

Manually start the agent:

Use the command

sudo launchctl load -w /Library/LaunchDaemons/org.openvpn.client.plist

to manually start the “ovpnagent” service. I have found that running these commands (3 & 4 from the commands below) resolves the issue without rebooting:

1.  `sudo launchctl unload -w /Library/LaunchDaemons/org.openvpn.client.plist`
2.  `ps auxww | grep ovpnagent`
3.  `sudo launchctl load -w /Library/LaunchDaemons/org.openvpn.client.plist`
4.  `ps auxww | grep ovpnagent`

Run the agent binary directly:

Execute

sudo /Library/Frameworks/OpenVPNConnect.framework/Versions/Current/usr/sbin/ovpnagent

in the terminal. You might need to use sudo before.

Start the ovpnagent manually:

• Run /Library/Frameworks/OpenVPNConnect.framework/Versions/Current/usr/sbin/ovpnagent manually.

• If it gets stuck, cancel (Ctrl+C) the background process and restart it.

• You can create a Zsh alias: alias openvpn='sudo /Library/Frameworks/OpenVPNConnect.framework/Versions/Current/usr/sbin/ovpnagent' without the ampersand. Keep the console window running.

Reinstall OpenVPN:

If other methods fail, consider uninstalling and reinstalling the OpenVPN client. Use the binary Uninstall OpenVPN Connect in the OpenVPN Connect folder in Applications.

Check Client Logs

Examine the client logs for errors, typically found in /Library/Application Support.

Insecure Mode:

Try insecure mode from the GUI app. But the issue might returns after rebooting.

For Windows

On Windows, the “error calling protected() method on socket 30 times” often relates to the agent_ovpnconnect service. This may occur if multiple Windows users are signed in simultaneously and trying to use the same VPN adapter.

Here’s how to troubleshoot:

• Check for multiple active users: Ensure only one Windows user has an active VPN session.
• Restart the agent_ovpnconnect service:
  • Go to Services.
  • Find the “agent_ovpnconnect” service.
  • Restart the service.
  • Ensure the “Startup type” is set to “Automatic”.
  • In the “Recovery” tab, set failure actions to “Restart the Service”.
• Turn on DCO: In the OpenVPN Connect app, go to advanced settings and turn on DCO (Data Channel Offload). Ensure the “Preferred” security level is set.