If you get this error when trying to start the Surfshark app or connect to a server, it means that the Surfshark background service could not start.
NOTE: This issue is most commonly resolved by updating the Surfshark app. Additionally, make sure to have the latest .NET packages installed.
Temporarily disable antivirus software
If you have some antivirus software running, temporarily disable it, as it can interfere with VPN connections.
Alternatively, try making an exclusion for Surfshark in the settings of the antivirus app.
Restart your computer
Restarting your Windows device will close all the idle apps and their background processes that might be running and interfering with Surfshark.
Reinstall the Surfshark app
Sometimes, during the initial installation, some files might fail to install (e.g., antivirus forbids it).
If other solutions don’t work, please try reinstalling your Surfshark app. Uninstall it first, then download the latest Surfshark app and install it again.
You might also be interested in:
- How to fix unstable connection issues on Windows
- How to troubleshoot Surfshark VPN browser extension issues
- Collecting diagnostics failed on Windows