Windows Firewall Troubleshooting

A firewall can help prevent hackers or malicious software from gaining access to your computer through a network or the Internet. 
The Windows firewall can be configured to allow applications to communicate through it.
Such rules are related to the applications (programs), but not to drivers or devices directly.

If you use another firewall, please see its manufacturer documentation to allow a program to communicate through it.

Is your firewall turned on or off ?

Click on Windows Start button, then in the search field, type firewall and select Windows Firewall.
Depending on your network connection type, Public, Private (home) or Domain, you can see if your firewall is turned on by selecting your network connection.
Domain users have to consult their IT Manager to configure their Firewall.
Public networks is usually when a RAVENNA device is connected directly to the computer.
Private (home) is the most common type of connection.
Windows will show "Connected" next to the networks in use.


Click on Windows Start button, then in the search field, type firewall and select Windows Firewall.
Select your network connection type, Public, Private (home) or Domain, and make sure "Incoming Connections" is set to : 
Block all connections to programs that are not in the list of allowed  programs.
If that is not the case, click on "Change Notification settings" on the left pane, and untick the box "Block all incoming connections, including those in the list of allowed programs", for the network connection type you use (Public-Private/Home)
Click on OK to confirm, and restart your computer.

 



To see if a program is allowed in Windows Firewall

Click on Windows Start button, then in the search field, type firewall and select Windows Firewall.
Click on "Advanced settings" on the left pane, then select "Inbound Rules".
If your program is allowed, you will find it in the list of rules.
Please also pay attention to its Profile, it must be allowed for the type of network you use, or even better, for all network types.

Edit an existing firewall rule

If you need to add or change a Profile, right click on the rule and select Properties.
Go in the Advanced tab and tick the network profiles required.
You may need to restart the program for the rule changes to apply. 

Allow a program - add a new rule

On the left pane of the main Windows Firewall window, click on "Allow a program or feature through Windows Firewall".

A new window will open, first browse the list to see if your program is not already allowed, you may change its network profiles.
If your program is not already listed, click on "Allow another program".


Another window will open, with the programs installed.
Select the one required in the list.
Click on "Network location types", tick the required Network profiles (usually Public and Home/Work) and click on OK.
Click on "Add " to confirm the new rule.
You may need to restart the program for the rule changes to apply.  

Troubleshooting - Disable a blocking rule

If you still can't communicate through the firewall, it may contain a blocking rule.
If in the allowed programs list, you have Blocking rule () on your required software, you must first disable that rule.
A "block" rule always have the priority on any "allow" rule, so only allowing the program will not work.
 


Select the rule and click on Disable Rule in the right pane.  The rule will turn gray to show it has been disabled.

Now see Allow a program - Add a new rule section to allow your program.