New Member

Solved

VPN disconnects by Screensaver or screen lock

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
May 21, 2025
11 replies
28263 views

Hi,

does anyone found a solution, to hold the VPN up and running when the screen is locked?

OS: MacOS Sequoia 15.4 and MacOS Sequoia 15.5

FortiClient: VPN 7.4.3.1761

I had to install the newest FortiClient VPN version after a firewall upgrade as the older versions running in some connection problems.

The older versions were stable and connected when the screen was locked. With the new version, the VPN disconnect each time the screen locks.

In fortitray.log it is good to see, a message is send to forticlient and immediately after the message, the ssl-vpn is disconnecting.

20250508 14:55:24.613 TZ=+0200 [FortiTray:DEBG] AppDelegate.swift:390 System is locked/sleep
20250508 14:55:24.620 TZ=+0200 [FortiTray:DEBG] AppDelegate.swift:404 System is going to sleep
20250508 14:55:24.646 TZ=+0200 [FortiTray:INFO] VpnManager.swift:2163 Check VPN Connect without Reauth
20250508 14:55:24.657 TZ=+0200 [FortiTray:DEBG] VpnManager.swift:2174 VPN Connection without reauthentication enabled, timeout: 60
20250508 14:55:24.676 TZ=+0200 [FortiTray:DEBG] VpnManager.swift:2189 VPN Information saved.
20250508 14:55:24.690 TZ=+0200 [FortiTray:DEBG] VpnManager.swift:1808 Stop current VPN

The network connection is still open and stable. During the screen is locked, I sent a ping without any lost.

Any ideas are welcome.

Jörg

Best answer by btan

Hello,

I presume you are looking for VPN-only version (the free version). I have uploaded macOS FCT 7.2.9 VPN-only installer to below link:

https://www.transfernow.net/dl/macosfct729vpn

The link is only available for 7 days.

funkylicious

SuperUser

this usually happens for me when it's on battery, it disconnects, and not plugged in a power outlet, then it stays connected.

so, on battery would be normal but its already connected to a outlet you should check the settings for sleeping.

"jack of all trades, master of none"

JoeMoeAuthor

New Member

Thanks for your feedback, but the disconnection happens in both cases, on battery and socket outlet.

funkylicious

SuperUser

try settings these

Screenshot 2025-05-22 at 10.38.45.png

"jack of all trades, master of none"

E-K-A

New Member

Hi, @JoeMoe !

Thank you for this topic!

I have same problem with FortiClient VPN after updated to version 7.4.3.1761. Every time when I lock my Mac (Sequoia 15.5) FortiClient client stop VPN connection. Laptop at power adaptor and connected to wired network. FortiTray debug log contains identical records.

@funkylicious , can you investigate some time to repeat our case?

Fatih-Ceylan

Visitor III

I have exact same problem. turned off all power saving settings, reinstalled the product. But when I lock my mac even for a sec, still disconnects. there is auto connect and always up options in vpn screen but both are disabled. macos Sequoia 15.4.1 Forti VPN 7.4.3.1761

CDavis

Visitor III

I'm seeing the same thing. On 7.4.2 client, it would disconnect after 5 or 10 minutes locked. I just downloaded 7.4.3 this morning to see if it changed anything, and it did. As others have noted, it happens the moment you lock the screen now. Seems strange, we lock the screen to protect the session and it disconnects it. I'm hoping that it's some Mac setting. Happens on battery or AC power here.

Love to hear if someone figures this out. I am going to test the Windows side here in a moment.

Added info: I'm on MacOS 15.X (latest, updated yesterday) My first 7.4 release was 7.4.2 so I only know that far back. Like I said, there was some kind of delay. 5 or 10 minutes, I don't remember which. 7.4.3 is immediate. I have been testing Windows 7.4.3 and it has not failed. Immediately, 1 minute, 5 minute. I am about to test for a 10 minute locked screen. Will post the results. Definitely a Mac related issue, it seems.

Windows 10 minute lock stayed up. This is VPN only. No EMS.

CDavis

Visitor III

Anyone have any news? Any response from a Fortinet rep?

Fatih-Ceylan

Visitor III

nope. nobody replied anything yet to me.

giogab

Explorer II

I'm experiencing the same issue on macOS Sequoia 15.5, and have tried all of the above suggestions without luck. I've also verified that I don't lose network connectivity whenever I lock my screen as I have continuous pings running without drops except for the ones requiring the VPN. Can someone from Fortinet please chime in on this thread and escalate?

DrippyGarnet

Explorer

If you can, try and install an older Version of Forticlient VPN. This instant disconnect on sleep/locking the screen seems to be a not yet listed bug in 7.4.3.

I've downgraded to 7.4.2 where my VPN connection now survives locking the screen. (Keep in mind potentially configured idle timeouts may still kill the connection after a while.)

btan

Staff & Editor

Hi all,

As per check internally, we do have this 'VPN disconnect when macOS at Screensaver' behavior reported.

This is fixed in macOS FCT 7.2.9 and 7.4.4 (ETA mid-July 2025).

As FCT 7.4.4 is not yet released, please use macOS FCT 7.2.9 as a permanent fix.

Thanks.

giogab

Explorer II

Thanks btan,

I've confirmed that macOS FCT 7.2.9 resolves the lock screen disconnect issue I was experiencing. Thank you!

btan

Staff & Editor

Most welcome @giogab .

Hi @JoeMoe , you may test with macOS FCT 7.2.9 too. Kindly mark this as resolved if it worked for you.

Thank you!

bohm

Explorer

I only can state it also happens to me since installing this FortiClient version. So please fit this FortiNet.

btan

Staff & Editor

Hi @bohm ,

This is fixed in macOS FCT 7.2.9 and 7.4.4 (ETA mid-July 2025).

As FCT 7.4.4 is not yet released, please use macOS FCT 7.2.9 if you need a solution now.

Thanks.

JoeMoeAuthor

New Member

Dear All,

thanks so far for your testing and support.

Dear Bon,

where to download the macOS FTC 7.2.9 version. The product download web page only presents the 7.4.3 version.

Regards Jörg

btanAnswer

Staff & Editor

Hello,

I presume you are looking for VPN-only version (the free version). I have uploaded macOS FCT 7.2.9 VPN-only installer to below link:

https://www.transfernow.net/dl/macosfct729vpn

The link is only available for 7 days.

bohm

Explorer

Thanks, already got 7.2.10 from one of our networking collegues, seems also to be a more stable VPN connection now.

FortKnox1

New Member

Can anyone provide the installer for 7.2.9 again please?

CDavis

Visitor III

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but my sales engineer has just informed me that Forticlient 7.4.4 Mac has discontinued free VPN support. This link provides details. https://docs.fortinet.com/document/forticlient/7.4.4/macos-release-notes/223986/special-notices

the entry second from bottom.

Here’s the actual text.

VPN-only agent not supported

FortiClient (macOS) 7.4.4 removes support for the free VPN-only agent.

So, no fix and no versions beyond 7.4.4, I’m assuming it stops at where it is in all major versions, but not sure. Looking forward to an official answer.

CDavis

Visitor III

I just got the word. The free vpn only product has been discontinued across all platforms. Linux, Windows, Mac and Android. Unless the sales engineer got it incorrect. I don’t think he did, though.

btan

Staff & Editor

That is correct, unfortunately. FCT 7.4.3 will be the last version that comes with free version. This means if anyone facing this issue and do not have a EMS license, they can only use FCT 7.2.9 or 7.4.1 then.

https://www.transfernow.net/dl/macfct729vpn

(valid for 7 days only)

If someone knows there is a different site that can have permanent storage, let me know so that I can upload it there to everyone.

Show more replies

VPN-only agent not supported

Sign up

Login with SSO

Login to the community

Login with SSO

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded