How To Check Vpn Connection Before Lodging Tax Returns

Network & Internet KB-1421

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How To Check Vpn Connection Before Lodging Tax Returns. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

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Common Causes

Before accessing company network resources remotely, it is important to verify that your Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection is active and stable. A reliable VPN connection ensures you can securely access internal systems without risking data exposure over public or home networks. This guide walks you through checking your VPN status, authenticating your credentials, and resolving common connection failures.

Quick Fix Steps

Restart your computer and attempt to reconnect to the VPN.
Verify your internet connection is working by opening a website in your browser.
Confirm you are entering the correct username and password for your company account.
Check that your VPN client is up to date with the latest version.
If the connection fails, try connecting from a different network, such as a mobile hotspot.

Detailed Instructions

Check Your Internet Connection First

Before troubleshooting the VPN, confirm that your local internet connection is active.

Open your web browser and navigate to a website you do not usually visit.
If the page loads successfully, your internet connection is working.
If the page does not load, restart your modem and router, then try again.

Verify VPN Connection Status

Most VPN clients display a status indicator in the system tray or menu bar.

Locate the VPN client icon in the bottom-right corner of your taskbar (Windows) or top-right corner of your menu bar (macOS).
Look for indicators such as Connected, Connecting, or Disconnected.
If the status shows Disconnected, click the icon and select Connect.
Wait for the connection to establish before attempting to access internal resources.

Authenticate Your Credentials

Incorrect login details are a common cause of VPN authentication failures.

Open your VPN client application.
Enter your company username and password exactly as provided by your IT administrator.
Ensure Caps Lock is turned off before typing your password.
If your organisation uses multi-factor authentication, approve the login request on your mobile device or enter the code from your authenticator app.
Click Sign In or Connect.

If you have recently changed your network password, update it in your VPN client settings. Saved credentials may still contain the old password and cause repeated authentication failures.

Troubleshooting

VPN Will Not Connect

Confirm your subscription or licence for the VPN client is still active.
Check that your computer's date and time are set correctly, as incorrect settings can prevent secure connections.
Temporarily disable third-party firewall or antivirus software to test if it is blocking the VPN.
Ensure your router is not blocking VPN protocols such as IPsec or OpenVPN.

Slow or Unstable Connection

Disconnect other devices using high bandwidth on your network, such as streaming services or large downloads.
Connect your computer directly to the router via Ethernet cable instead of using Wi-Fi.
Try connecting to a different VPN server location if your client offers multiple options.

Do not transmit sensitive information over an unsecured public Wi-Fi connection. Always verify your VPN is active before sending financial or personal data.

If you have followed these steps and are still unable to establish a VPN connection, Open a Ticket for assistance from our support team.

If you host with us, you don't need to do this yourself — just Open a Ticket and our Brisbane team will get it sorted.

Still Having Issues?

Need more help? If the issue persists after trying these steps, please open a support ticket and our team will assist you.

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