Windows
VPN would not connect over cellular internet until the modem was rebooted
VPN access was failing when the connection came through a cellular modem/hotspot. Rebooting the modem restored VPN connectivity.
Killed once by someone from XL.net, on 2025-12-10.
Affects
Hardware
- cellular modem
What you see
- VPN connection does not establish over the cellular internet connection.
- VPN works again after the modem is rebooted.
Why it happens
Likely Likely the cellular modem stopped passing traffic correctly until it was rebooted; the dead modem display suggests a possible hardware problem.
When it shows up
A Windows machine can reach the internet through a cellular modem or hotspot, but the VPN will not connect until the modem is rebooted.
You are in this case if:
- VPN fails only while using the cellular connection.
- The modem display does not turn on anymore or otherwise appears unresponsive.
- VPN reconnects successfully after the modem is power-cycled.
1 fix below
The steps that killed it
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Someone from XL.net killed this on a Windows computer on 2025-12-10. It is written up from that one repair, so it cites no outside page.