Cisco AnyConnect is a software application provided by Cisco that allows users to connect to a virtual private network (VPN) to access secure network resources.
If you are experiencing a “login failed” error when attempting to connect the Cisco AnyConnect VPN, it typically indicates that there is a problem with the login credentials you are using or the VPN server itself from backend.
Cisco AnyConnect Login Failed Error Reasons
There are some possible reasons that you might see a “login failed” error when using Cisco AnyConnect VPN:
1. Incorrect Login Credentials
Make sure that you are using the correct username and password when attempting to connect to the AnyConnect VPN.
Double-check to ensure that you are typing the correct characters and that your caps lock or num lock keys are not on.
2. VPN Server Issue
If the AnyConnect VPN server is experiencing technical issue from backend itself, you may see a “login failed” error when attempting to connect.
In this case, there isn’t much you can do from end except to wait to till issue is resolved from backend itself from Cisco technical team or by your network administrator.
3. Network Connectivity Issue
If there are issues with your internet connection or the network you are trying to connect from, you may see a “login failed” error when attempting to connect to the VPN.
Make sure that you have a stable internet connection and that your device is connected to the network properly.
For validating the network connection issue, try to check speed test on your device or try to switch the Wi-Fi data to mobile data or vice-versa.
How To Fix Cisco AnyConnect “Login Failed” Error?
If you are experiencing a “login failed” error when using Cisco AnyConnect to connect to a VPN, there are a few steps you can try to troubleshoot and fix the issue:
Check Your Login Credentials
Make sure that you are using the correct username and password when attempting to connect to the AnyConnect VPN.
Ensure that you are typing the correct characters and your caps lock or num lock keys are not on unknowingly.
Check the VPN Server Status
If the AnyConnect VPN server is experiencing any backend technical issue, you may see a “login failed” error when attempting to connect.
In this case, there isn’t much you can do from end except to wait to till issue is resolved from backend itself from Cisco technical team or by your network administrator.
Check Your Internet Connection
Make sure that you have a stable internet connection and that your device is connected to the network properly.
You may need to troubleshoot your internet connection or restart your router to resolve any connectivity issues.
For validating the network connection issue, try to check speed test on your device or try to switch the Wi-Fi data to mobile data or vice-versa.
Update the Cisco AnyConnect Software
If you haven’t updated the Cisco AnyConnect software since long despite update available, then AnyConnect itself may be causing the “login failed” error then you should try updating the software to the latest available version.
Check for Anti-Virus/Firewall Conflicts
If you are using other VPN software or security software such as Firewall or any other Anti-Virus software on your device, it may be causing conflicts with Cisco AnyConnect policies.
In this case, you can try to disable or uninstall these programs to see if they are the reason for “login failed” error.
Restart Your Device
If none of the above steps have resolved the issue for you, you can try to restart your device to see if that helps.
Why Cisco AnyConnect “login failed” Error with Correct Password?
AnyConnect “Login failed” error even with correct password can be due to incorrect VPN server IP address, VPN server is down for maintenance or account lockout issue.
There can be several reasons why a login attempt even with correct password could fail when using Cisco AnyConnect.
Some possible reasons include:
- Network Connectivity Issues: If your device is unable to connect to the VPN server due to Internet connection issue, the login attempt could fail.
- Incorrect VPN Server Address: If the VPN server address is incorrect or you have made any recent changes to configuration unknowingly, then login attempt would fail.
- VPN Server Maintenance: If the VPN server is down for maintenance from backend, the login attempt would fail for time being. Incase, you just need to wait sometime and try again.
- Account Lockout: If the account has been locked out due to too many failed login attempts, the login attempt would fail. Might be your network administrator has account lockout policies, try to reach out to network administrator to have confirmation.
- Incorrect AnyConnect Client Configuration: If the AnyConnect client is not configured correctly due to misconfiguration from your or admin side, the login attempt would fail. Try to check with
- Outdated AnyConnect Client Software: If the AnyConnect client version is out of date and you haven’t installed the latest available version then the login attempt could fail. For that, check if any update available and install it and even restart your laptop or phone and re-lunch the Anyconnect software.
Why Cisco Anyconnect Login Error “Certificate Validation Failure” is Seen?
“Certificate Validation Failure” error into Cisco AnyConnect VPN occurs either due to certificate problem (Expired or Invalid Certificate), Incorrect certificate trust settings or Network connectivity issues.
Expired or Invalid Certificate
If the certificate used to authenticate the VPN connection has expired or is otherwise invalid, you may see a “certificate validation failure” error when attempting to connect.
In this case, you should contact your network administrator or the VPN server administrator to obtain a valid certificate.
Sometime VPN certificates gets expired and due to inactive account or other account reasons, you certificate doesn’t get renew automated and start showing the “Certificate Validation Failure”.
So ensure that your device and AnyConnect VPN is able to reach the internal servers properly to have up to date certificates.
Incorrect Certificate Trust Settings
If the certificate used to authenticate the VPN connection is not trusted by your device, you may see a “certificate validation failure” error when attempting to connect.
To fix the issue, you may need to configure your device to trust the certificate by adding it to your certificate store.
Sometime when device gets initialised or you have updated OS recently into your device, some security and privacy policies get changed and doesn’t allow to accept the AnyConnect VPN certificates.
The process for accepting AnyConnect VPN certificates on a laptop varies depending on the operating system you are using.
Cisco AnyConnect Software Issues
In some cases, the Cisco AnyConnect software itself may be experiencing technical problems from backend, resulting in a “certificate validation failure” error.
If you doubt that this is the case, you may need to update the software or contact the network admin for knowing if any technical issue is going from backend.
How to Fix Cisco AnyConnect Login Error “Certificate Validation Failure”?
To fix the Cisco AnyConnect Login Error “Certificate Validation Failure”, follow below steps:
Check the Certificate Status
Make sure that the certificate used to authenticate the VPN connection is valid and has not expired recently.
If the certificate is invalid or expired, you should contact your network administrator or the VPN server administrator to obtain the new one.
Trust the AnyConnect VPN Certificate
If the certificate used to authenticate the VPN connection is not trusted by your device, you may need to configure your device to trust the certificate.
This typically involves adding the certificate to your certificate store or importing it into your AnyConnect App.
Steps to Accept the AnyConnect VPN Certificate Trust Settings:
- Connect to the AnyConnect VPN using the client.
- A window may pop up asking if you want to trust the VPN’s certificate. Click on “Accept” or “Trust” to continue.
- If the certificate is not automatically accepted, you may need to manually import it. This can typically be done by going to the AnyConnect VPN software’s settings or preferences and selecting an option to import a certificate.
- Once the certificate is imported, it should be trusted by your computer, and you should be able to connect to the VPN without showing the “Certificate Validation Failure” error.
Note that you should only accept and trust AnyConnect VPN certificates from reputable sources, as an untrusted certificate can potentially compromise your security.
Make sure you have the AnyConnect certificate file before proceeding with the above steps.
Update the Cisco AnyConnect Software
If the AnyConnect client version is out of date and you haven’t installed the latest available version then the Certificate Validation Failure error could be seen.
For that, check if any update available and install it and even restart your laptop or phone and re-lunch the AnyConnect software.
Check for Other VPN Software Conflicts
If you are using other VPN software or security app on your device, that may be causing conflicts with Cisco AnyConnect.
In this case, you may need to disable or uninstall these VPN or app to see if they are causing the “certificate validation failure” error.
Restart Your Device
If none of the above steps have resolved the issue, you may want to try restarting your device to see if that helps. This can sometimes resolve issues with AnyConnect software.
