People use VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) to browse the web more anonymously and securely. However, some users are unable to use a VPN connection on their Windows PC due to an error message stating “unable to establish connection to remote computer”. Some users see that error message in Settings when they try to connect to a VPN.
This error will prevent you from connecting to the VPN on your Windows 11/10 PC. Does the same error affect your PC's VPN connection? If so, here's how you can fix that VPN connection issue on your Windows PC.
1. Run the Network Adapter Troubleshooting Tool
The Windows Troubleshooter can often be helpful in fixing network-related problems. The Network Adapter Troubleshooter will likely be the most useful troubleshooting tool to resolve this VPN error. However, the Internet connection troubleshooter can also resolve issues that cause VPN connection errors.
You can access both troubleshooters in Settings. This article on how to run any Windows troubleshooter provides step-by-step instructions for opening the troubleshooter in the Windows 10 or 11 Settings app. Then, head over to the Adapter Troubleshooter network or Internet Connection to apply any manual solutions they suggest.

2. Turn off proxy server settings
Intermediate proxy servers can act as firewalls to enhance network security. However, enabling a proxy server may cause problems with the VPN connection. Therefore, you should disable the "use proxy server" setting to eliminate the potential cause of this VPN error.

3. Reconfigure your VPN connection's security settings
This VPN error message recommends that you try reconfiguring some network settings to resolve the issue. Changing the VPN connection security settings may potentially resolve this issue for some users. Try changing the security settings of your VPN connection like this:

* Launch Run (press Win + R keys simultaneously) and enter "ncpa.cpl" in the accessory's Open box.
* Click OK in Run to display the Network Connections window.
* Then right-click on your VPN connection and select Properties.
* Click Security in the VPN properties window.
* Select the Point to Point Tunneling Protocol option above
  VPN Type drop-down menu.

* Click the Allow these protocols radio button.
* Select the Challenge Handbrake Authentication Protocol (CHAP) check box.
* Next, click the Microsoft CHAP Version 2 checkbox to select that option.
* Click OK to set the new VPN security settings.
Misconfigured settings in your VPN client software can also cause connection problems. To fix that, try resetting your VPN client software settings to default. Searching for and selecting an option in your VPN software usually restores default settings.
4. Disable Windows firewall
Windows Defender Firewall can cause this error by blocking VPN connections. To make sure WDF isn't blocking your VPN connection, try temporarily turning off Windows Defender Firewall. Then go back to Settings to see if the “Connection to the remote computer could not be established” error still persists.
If this works, don't turn off the firewall. Instead, add your VPN connection to Windows Defender Firewall's allowed list. To do that, you need to select the Private and Public checkboxes for your VPN connection, as mentioned in this guide to allowing apps through Windows Firewall.

5. Disable third-party security software packages
Many third-party security (antivirus) software packages also have built-in firewalls that can block VPN connections. If there is third-party security software installed on your PC, disable its firewall component to see if that makes any difference to your VPN connection. Then, set up a firewall exception for the VPN connection in your security software if that resolves the problem.

6. Reinstall the Miniport WAN device
Reinstalling Miniport WAN devices is a potential solution that many users confirm has fixed the “Unable to establish a connection to the remote computer” error. Applying this potential solution reinstalls the driver for the virtual network adapter with the protocol changed, which usually resolves this VPN error. You can reinstall WAN Miniport devices like this:
* First, right-click on the Windows taskbar icon (Start button) and select Device Manager.
* Click the small arrow next to Network Adapters to see all devices for that category.
* Right-click the WAN Miniport (IKEv2) adapter and select Uninstall device

* Click Uninstall in the confirmation dialog box

* Repeat the previous two steps for all Miniport WAN adapters displayed in Device Manager.
* Once you have uninstalled all WAN Miniport devices, click the Actions menu.

* Select the Scan for hardware changes option to reinstall the WAN Miniport devices.
Then go back to Settings and try connecting to your VPN again.

7. Reset your PC's network settings

A network reset will reinstall all network adapters on your PC. So this potential resolution could have the same effect as the previous resolution and some users have confirmed that it works. However, a network reset also restores network components to their default settings.

You can reset your network adapter settings by entering and executing a series of netsh and ipconfig commands. However, it's simpler to apply this fix by clicking the Reset Now button in Settings. See our how to reset network settings guide for more details on how you can access that option.

8. Reinstall your VPN software
Reinstalling the VPN software may be necessary if none of the other potential solutions here work for you. Applying such a solution will likely resolve the software issues causing this VPN connection error. You will also update your VPN software by installing the latest version.

You can remove your VPN client software in Programs or Features or Settings as outlined in this Windows software uninstallation guide. Make sure you also remove any extras installed with your VPN client, such as the TAP network adapter. Resetting your PC's network settings may also uninstall the VPN software.
Then open the publisher's official download page for your VPN software. Choose to download the latest VPN client software version for Windows 11/10 from there. Run the downloaded VPN software installer to reinstall.

Re-establish your VPN connection on Windows
Those potential fixes for the “Unable to establish connection to remote computer” error will likely re-establish your VPN connection. In many cases, reinstalling the WAN Miniport adapter or disabling the proxy server will often help. However, you may need to try the workarounds here to resolve this VPN connection issue.