Troubleshooting Tip: FortiClient VPN configuration backup or restore does not respond after an in place upgrade
Description
This article describes an issue where FortiClient VPN configuration backup or restore fails silently after an in-place upgrade.
After selecting Backup or Restore and selecting OK, the dialog closes without displaying an error, but no backup file is created, and no configuration is restored.
Other symptoms may include VPN connections missing from the system tray menu or different FortiClient versions being displayed between the GUI and system tray components.
Scope
FortiClient VPN-Only.
Solution
The issue occurs when legacy FortiClient binaries remain after an in-place upgrade, causing inconsistent component versions and disrupting IPC communication between the GUI, system tray, and service components.
The recommended solution is to perform a clean reinstallation:
Uninstall FortiClient from Windows Settings -> Installed apps.
Reboot the endpoint.
Install the required FortiClient version again.
If reinstallation is not immediately possible, use FCConfig.exe to back up or restore the configuration, which is normally located in 'C:\Program Files\Fortinet\FortiClient'.
Steps:
Open Command Prompt (CMD) and navigate to the FortiClient installation directory:
cd "C:\Program Files\Fortinet\FortiClient"Then run the required FCConfig.exe command to export the configuration:
FCConfig.exe -m all -f C:\temp\fct_backup.conf -o export -p <password>To import the configuration:
FCConfig.exe -m all -f C:\temp\fct_backup.conf -o import -p <password>
Notes:
The password used with FCConfig.exe must contain at least 8 characters.
Ensure that the destination folder already exists before running the export command.
