All posts tagged bug

Always On VPN PowerShell Script Issues in Windows 11

Many administrators are now beginning to test Always On VPN functionality on the latest Microsoft Windows client operating system, Windows 11. Initially, Microsoft had some issues with provisioning and managing Always On VPN profiles on Windows 11 using Microsoft Endpoint Manager/Intune, but those have been resolved. However, some lingering problems may delay enterprise deployments of Always On VPN on Windows 11 for some organizations, specifically those using PowerShell with Active Directory group policy startup scripts or System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM).

Important Note: The issues outlined in this article have been resolved! The fix for the WMI enumeration bug is addressed in the following updates:

Windows 11 21H2 – KB5022905 (build 22000.1641)

Windows 11 22H2 – KB5026446 (build 22621.1778)

MakeProfile.ps1

Microsoft has published guidance for deploying Always On VPN profiles using PowerShell with their MakeProfile.ps1 script. This script extracts configuration details from a template VPN profile to create another PowerShell script called VPN_Profile.ps1, which is used to create the Always On VPN profile. SCCM administrators commonly use VPN_Proifle.ps1 to deploy Always On VPN profiles. However, running this script on Windows 11 fails and returns the following error message.

“Unable to create [VPN profile name] profile: A general error occurred that is not covered by a more specific code.”

This issue appears to be related to a problem with the WMI-to-CSP bridge, specifically enumerating the MDM_VPNv2_01 class in the root\cimv2\mdm\dmmap namespace. Here you can see the template VPN profile with PowerShell and Get-VpnConnection.

However, attempts to view the MDM_VPNv2_01 class of this VPN profile using PowerShell and Get-CimInstance fail.

New-AovpnConnection.ps1

Interestingly, administrators may find that my Always On VPN PowerShell deployment script works more reliably on Windows 11, although not always. In my experience, I’ve found that it sometimes fails once (profile is loaded, but the configuration is incomplete), then works after deleting the profile and creating it again. If the Microsoft-provided script isn’t working, give mine a try and see if it works better for you.

Note: When deploying Always On VPN profiles using my PowerShell deployment script via Active Directory startup scripts, it seems to fail consistently for some reason. Go figure. 😉

Remove-AovpnConnection.ps1

The issues described previously with Windows 11 are also negatively affecting some of my other PowerShell scripts. For example, running Remove-Aovpnconnection.ps1 on Windows 11 fails and returns the following error message.

“A general error occurred that is not covered by a more specific error code.”

Current Status

Microsoft is currently aware of this issue. However, I am aware of no timeframe for resolution at the time of this writing. Hopefully, Microsoft addresses this soon so organizations can move forward with their Windows 11 migration projects.

Additional Information

Microsoft Windows Always On VPN Windows 11 Issues with Microsoft Endpoint Manager/Intune

Microsoft Windows Always On VPN Profile Deployment Script

Microsoft Windows Always On VPN Remove Always On VPN Profile Script

Always On VPN PowerShell Script Repository on GitHub

70 Comments

by Richard M. Hicks on February 7, 2022 • Permalink

Posted by Richard M. Hicks on February 7, 2022

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2022/02/07/always-on-vpn-powershell-script-issues-in-windows-11/

Always On VPN Windows 11 Issues with Intune

Since the introduction of Windows 11, there have been numerous reports of issues with Always On VPN when deployed using Microsoft Endpoint Manager/Intune. Specifically, administrators have been reporting that Always On VPN profiles are being deleted, then later reappearing. Obviously, this is highly disruptive to users in the field.

Update January 25, 2022: Microsoft has released a fix for the issues described in this article. It is included with KB5008353 (build 22000.469).

Causes

According to Microsoft, there are several causes for deleted VPN profiles.

Changes to an Existing Profile

Missing Always On VPN profiles commonly occurs when updating settings for an existing VPN profile applied to Windows 11 endpoints. In this scenario, the VPN profile is deleted but not immediately replaced. Synchronize the device with Microsoft Endpoint Manager/Intune once more to return the VPN profile.

Multiple Profiles

Issues with Always On VPN profiles may also occur if two new VPN profiles are applied to the endpoint simultaneously.

Remove and Replace

Removing and replacing an Always On VPN profile at the same time will also result in connectivity issues.

Reference: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/intune/configuration/vpn-settings-configure

Workaround

There is no known workaround for these issues at this time. Microsoft is aware of the problem and is working on a fix, and until then, rolling out Windows 11 with Always On VPN should be avoided.

Additional Issues

There have been reports of other known issues with Windows 11 and Always On VPN. For instance, my PowerShell script that removes an Always On VPN connection doesn’t work with Windows 11. I’m working to resolve that issue as we speak.

Are you experiencing any issues with Always On VPN on Windows 11? Please share them in the comments below!

120 Comments

by Richard M. Hicks on October 28, 2021 • Permalink

Posted in administration, Always On VPN, AOVPN, device tunnel, Endpoint Manager, Enterprise, enterprise mobility, InTune, MEM, MEMCM, Microsoft Endpoint Manager, Microsoft Intune, Mobility, Operational Support, Remote Access, user tunnel, VPN, Windows 10, Windows 11

Posted by Richard M. Hicks on October 28, 2021

https://directaccess.richardhicks.com/2021/10/28/always-on-vpn-windows-11-issues-with-intune/

Always On VPN Fails with Windows 10 2004 Build 610

Updated 11/10/2020: Microsoft update KB4586781 has resolved the connectivity issues described in this post. If you had previously installed update KB4580364, please update to KB4586781 immediately.

A recent preview update for Windows 10 2004 has broken Always On VPN. Specifically, after installing the latest Preview update for Windows 10 2004 (KB4580364), Always On VPN connections will fail to connect automatically. They can be established manually, however.

Affected Builds

This issue affects Windows 10 2004 with build 19041.610 and 19042.610.

Always On VPN Fails with Windows 10 2004

Workaround

The only workaround currently is to remove this update.

Caveat

Although this is a “preview” update and an optional installation, it is important to know that preview updates are released in the next “patch Tuesday” release. Administrators are advised to carefully consider delaying the implementation until additional testing has been completed.