Meraki the l2tp connection attempt failed because the security layer encountered a processing error

The error message that goes The L2TP Connection Attempt Failed Because the Security Layer Encountered a Processing Error is encountered when trying to use a VPN service on computers. It’s no more news that several people make use of VPN services to establish a private and secure connection while using the Internet. Many use the service to unblock websites and platforms as well as prevent anyone from spying on their activities online. So, the importance of VPN is very enormous. However, this might not be possible without the help of the L2TP system built-in for Windows and Mac OS.  

The L2TP is a tunneling protocol designed to support and allow satisfactory usage of VPN on computers. But recently, more people have reported being faced with the “The L2TP Connection Attempt Failed Because the Security Layer Encountered a Processing Error” error. This is caused probably due to a disabled Microsoft CHAP v2 protocol, not well connected PPP settings or it’s just from your service provider. The issue will disallow you from securing a connection with VPN services and therefore make it impossible for you to browse privately. Well, it’s nothing to worry about as we’ve detailed the best solutions to fix this issue on your Windows 10/11 PC.

When you keep getting “The L2TP Connection Attempt Failed Because the Security Layer Encountered a Processing Error” error message on your computer, there are a few things you could do to fix the issue and get your system to normal. Here are they:

Fix 1: Restart your computer

Fix 2: Enable CHAP Version 2 on your PC

Fix 3: Uninstall Security Updates 

Fix 4: Enable LCP extension in the Point to Point Protocol (PPP) Settings

Fix 5: Restart/Reset Router or modem

Fix 6: Restart IPSec Service on your computer 

Fix 7: Reinstall the WAN miniport (L2TP)

Now, let’s discuss in detail how each of the fixes can be done.

1. Restart your computer

This solution has become a generic way of solving any issue being faced on any of our devices and it works most of the time. Restarting a computer renews the state of your PC and thereby sweeps away any malfunction by clearing your RAM. 

This action can be tried out to help fix this issue you are facing if the problem is caused by corrupt logs and caches that have hogged your RAM. So consider restarting your PC and see if it works. Here is how it can be done

Step 1: Press the Alt + F4 key simultaneously

Step 2: Select Restart from the resulting window and click OK

After your computer comes up try connecting your VPN and hopefully you won’t be getting the error message again

2. Enable CHAP Version 2 on your PC

It’s mentioned earlier that not enabling CHAP Version 2 on your computer won’t allow the L2TP connection. So, if  you are not sure if this has been enabled, check it out and enable it by doing this:

Step 1: Press Windows + R keys simultaneously to open Run dialog box

Step 2: In the command box, type ncpa.cpl and click OK. 

Step 3: On the Network Connection window, right-click on the VPN connection and select Properties from the resulting drop-down menu

Step 4: Then switch the tab on the Properties window to the Security. There, enable the Allow these protocols option and tick the Microsoft CHAP Version 2 (MS-CHAP v2) box to enable it as well.

Step 5: Click OK to save the changes. 

After that, reconnect your VPN.

3. Uninstall Security Updates

If you have recently installed security updates on your computer, there might be software conflictions due to this and thereby leading to the “The L2TP Connection Attempt Failed Because the Security Layer Encountered a Processing Error” error. This can, however, be fixed by:

Step 1: Search Settings in the Windows Search Box and open it.

Step 2: Click Update & Security and select View update history on the Windows Update tab.

Step 3: On the resulting windows, click Uninstall updates.

Step 4: This will lead you to the installed updates page in the Control panel. Search for the Update and click Uninstall.

Step 5: Then follow the on-screen prompt to Uninstall the update. After that, restart your computer and try using VPN again 

ALSO READ: How to Fix We Couldn’t Complete The Updates Undoing Changes Error on Windows 10

4. Enable LCP extension in the Point to Point Protocol (PPP) Settings

Another thing that could be causing this problem is not having the LCP extension in the PPP settings enabled. This is also a criterion for L2TP connection to be established with VPNs. Nonetheless, you can enable the extension by following these steps:

Step 1: Press Windows + R simultaneously to open the run command box.

Step 2: Type ncpa.cpl and select OK to open the Network connection window 

Step 3: Right-click your VPN connection and open Properties 

Step 4: Then go to the Options section and click on the PPP Settings option.

Step 5: Make sure to tick the Enable LCP extensions box and click OK.

Step 6: Click OK again to save the changes.

You can now connect your VPN again and see if the issue is resolved. 

5. Uninstall and Reinstall the WAN Miniport (L2TP)

The WAN miniport is your computer network adapter. Uninstalling and reinstalling it can as well help fix this  “The L2TP Connection Attempt Failed Because the Security Layer Encountered a Processing Error” error message. 

Step 1: Search Device Manager in Windows Search and open it.

Step 2: Double-click the Network adapter option to expand its list. From the list of network adapters, right-click WAN Miniport (L2TP).

Step 3: Then, a drop-down menu will appear. Select Uninstall device from the options.

Step 4: Click Uninstall again on the next window to confirm the action.

If there is more than one Network Adapter on your computer, uninstall them too. Afterward, restart your computer and the drivers. Then, you can reconnect your VPN.

6. Restart IPSec Service on your computer

The IPSec Service on your computer may be having issues, which could be the cause of the L2TP connection problem. This can be fixed by restarting IPSec, which can be done as follows:

Step 1: Search for Services in Windows Search and open. 

Step 2: On the Service Manager, look for IKE and AuthIP IPSec Keying Modules under the name section and double-click it.

Step 3: In IKE and AuthIP IPSec Keying Modules Properties window, set the startup type to Automatic. 

Step 4: Click on Stop on that same window and then select Start to restart it. 

Step 5: Afterward, click Apply then OK to save the changes.

Repeat this same process by opening IPSec Policy Agent under the Service Manager windows. After that try to reconnect your VPN.

7. Restart/Reset Router or modem

Some people have reported that rebooting their router fixes the L2TP problem, so it’s worth a shot. Disconnect from your router and turn it off. Then turn it on again and reconnect your internet. The problem, hopefully, will be resolved.

ALSO READ: Best Wireless Router Under $100 in 2022

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is L2TP Error? 

The error message “The L2TP Connection Attempt Failed Because the Security Layer Encountered a Processing Error” is the error message while connecting to Ubiquiti Client-to-Site VPN, Cisco Meraki, and WatchGuard Firewalls using the built-in Windows VPN.

Is L2TP a VPN?

L2TP is a protocol developed to enable protect VPN connections on Windows systems, not a VPN. It’s a replacement for the PPTP system. As a result, there are no vulnerabilities in any VPN that uses L2TP that could lead to personal data leakage.

Final Words

Having tried out these solutions, the problem you’re facing with connecting L2TP on your Windows computer should have been resolved. We recommend you follow the guides on how each of the troubleshooting can be attempted so that you don’t make any mistakes while doing so. 

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