VPN disconnects by Screensaver or screen lock

[JoeMoe]

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

[Standa]

Hello
can you please provide this older version for download again? I am already desperate, every new SW that is released is totally unusable, unfortunately we are forced to use the latest SW to keep up with our partners.
For a long time we were running on the old version 6.4 which worked well within the system's capabilities. Unfortunately, as mentioned here, with the new macOS 15.5 there are constant crashes and not just disconnections from the VPN.
The new version 7.4 runs stably (except for disconnecting during the screen saver), but again has a slow connection, let me explain: if I open an InDesign file, in the new version it opens for a very long time, for one document over 90s. The same document, on the same computer when using FC 6.4, opens for 15s. The document is stored locally, but links to images within the Indesign document are directed to the company server. InDesign has the option to turn off link checking when opening a document, but some checking still occurs because if I'm not connected to a VPN, the document opens almost immediately. So there is a noticeable slowdown when using different FC versions.

[amorales_ramirez]

Hi.

Is possible download this versión? I have the same problem with screen lock.
Thanks in advance

[nate_ten63]

Hi Bon,

Could you please make this earlier version available again, or let us know when we can expect the fixed version to be available? We just switched from OpenVPN to FortiClient, and unfortunately this bug is breaking all of our existing workflows. 

[btan]

Hi, below link is available for 7 days:
https://www.transfernow.net/dl/freefctvpn729

[grahamb]

When can we expect 7.4.4? You originally said mid-July.

Is there an official Fortinet page with checksums for 7.2.9? I'm not thrilled about downloading random executables and installing without validating them.

[ATLuis]

Can you upload it again? this problem is driving me crazy

[FortKnox1]

Can anyone provide the installer for 7.2.9 again please?

[CDavis]

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]

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]

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.