OpenVPN Connect: "ovpnagent: request error" on Windows

Description: Windows devices may fail to connect to the VPN and display the following error message:

ovpnagent: request error

This article provides potential resolutions to troubleshoot and resolve this issue.

Solutions:

1. Update the OpenVPN Connect v3 app:
   • Ensure you have the latest OpenVPN Connect v3 app.
   • Refer to OpenVPN Connect v3 for Windows for the newest version.
   • Update, if necessary, and try to connect once again.
2. Check antivirus or endpoint protection:
   • Antivirus or endpoint protection software may block or interfere with the openvpnagent and its drivers.
   • Temporarily disable the software and retry the connection.
3. Verify MDM settings:
   • Mobile device management (MDM) solutions may push outdated OpenVPN Connect versions to user machines, overriding newer versions.
   • Ensure your MDM solution is configured to deploy the latest OpenVPN Connect version.
4. Check TAP and DCO drivers:
   • Ensure that OpenVPN Connect-related TAP and DCO drivers are installed and enabled:
     1. Press Windows Key + R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter. 
     2. Under Network Adapters, ensure the following drivers are installed and display no errors:
        • TAP-Windows Adapter V9 for OpenVPN Connect
        • OpenVPN Data Channel Offload
     3. If a driver is disabled, right-click it and select Enable Device.
   • If the drivers are missing, reinstall OpenVPN Connect to ensure that TAP and DCO drivers are installed correctly. 
5. Ensure the OpenVPN agent service is running:
   • The OpenVPN agent service must be running for successful connections.
     1. Press Windows Key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
     2. Locate OpenVPN Agent agent_ovpnconnect.
     3. If the service is stopped, right-click it and select Start service.
6. Check for other active VPN connections:
   • OpenVPN Connect adapters are shared across all Windows users on the same device.
   • If another signed-in user already utilizes the adapter, additional users can't establish a VPN connection.
   • Ensure no other user accounts are running an active VPN connection on the device.
     

Please submit a ticket if you have additional questions or are still encountering issues.