Table of Contents
OpenVPN (OSS) support
Introduction
Before asking questions on open source OpenVPN support channels please try to solve your problem yourself first. Nobody likes people who ask to be fed with a spoon. It's also a good idea to
- Read the How To Ask Questions The Smart Way article by Eric Raymond
- Familiarize yourself with Netiquette and Chatiquette
A common error, made by people not familiar with IRC, is to leave too soon, only minutes after asking their question. So, please keep your IRC client open for hours (or even days) and monitor it, because it is possible that the only person that can help you is on an entirely different timezone and/or unavailable at the moment. If you are not online, he/she is not able to give an answer to you.
Once you are sure you have done your homework go ahead and ask your question: nobody expects you to know everything (including the solution) before asking a question. If you are looking for help with developing OpenVPN (OSS), please start by reading this article.
User support
Documentation
You should always do some research first before asking any questions. There are two good places to look:
- https://openvpn.net/community-resources/ (official documentation)
- https://community.openvpn.net (Wiki documentation]
If you need to dig really deep (i.e. nobody can help you), also take a look at these:
- https://forums.openvpn.net/ Howto: Request Help (forum posts)
- https://sourceforge.net/p/openvpn/mailman/openvpn-users/ (openvpn-users mailinglist archives)
- https://sourceforge.net/p/openvpn/mailman/openvpn-devel/ (openvpn-devel mailinglist archives)
- https://www.mail-archive.com/openvpn-devel@lists.sourceforge.net/ (openvpn-devel mailinglist archives)
- https://github.com/OpenVPN/openvpn/issues (known bugs)
If you think you have found a new bug, please read this article first:
User IRC channel
The user IRC channel (#openvpn on libera.chat) is probably the easiest way to get help with generic OpenVPN (OSS) questions. For support with commercial products take a look below.
User support forums
OpenVPN forums are the second-easiest way to get help with OpenVPN (OSS):
To use the forums you need to create an account first:
Please select the correct forum board and ask your question.
NOTE: The best way to search the forum is to use the site: feature offered by google and duckduckgo. To use the site: search operator type into their search field like so (space must not be used between site: and the selected URL):
site:forums.openvpn.net your desired search
User mailing list
The traditional way to get support with OpenVPN (OSS) is the openvpn-users mailinglist:
You need to subscribe to it before sending in any questions:
Additional archives are available on the mailing list archives page:
Developer support
Developer IRC channel
The developer IRC channel (#openvpn-devel at libera.chat) is most straightforward way to contact the developers. At the moment (Spring 2023) most active developers are in Europe, so the best time to talk to them is between 9-22 (9AM-10PM) UTC. Most of the discussion on the IRC is informal, but we do have scheduled IRC meetings, too.
NOTE: Joining the #openvpn-devel channel requires being logged in to IRC using a registered nickname and password. Instructions for registering are available here.
Developer mailing list
The openvpn-devel mailinglist is the main communication channel for OpenVPN (OSS) developers. If you subscribe to it, you will be able to follow the development process very closely. All other, important things (e.g. IRC meetings and meeting summaries) will be announced on the mailinglist.
Archives are available on the mailing list archives page.
Security issues list
If you have found a potential security issue in OpenVPN you can send email to the private OpenVPN security list (security at openvpn dot net). You do not need to be subscribed to send mail there, but please do not misuse the list by sending generic support requests there, or you will just get flogged and redirected to the proper support channels.
OpenVPN Access server support
Access Server support ticket system
This should be your first step when you want to contact us for support requests for the OpenVPN Access Server product or OpenVPN Connect client. To access it, you must have an account on https://openvpn.net. Please note that this is a different website than the community website, and as such they do not share the same accounts and login details. If you don't have an account there yet you may need to make one. If you have a valid license key for Access Server, you already have an account there. Once signed in, at the top of the page there you can click 'support' which takes you to the support ticket system. You can submit support tickets there, which will usually be answered within a few hours. It is staffed 24/7.
Access server forum boards
The OpenVPN community forums are also used for support on the OpenVPN Access Server product. For urgent requests you should try the support ticket system first, but the forums are also visited frequently by experienced users and OpenVPN Technologies Inc. personnel, so you may get an answer there as well in most cases. It also helps that previously asked questions have been answered there and may hold the answer to the questions you may have:
To use the forums you need to create an account first:
Private Tunnel user support
If you are having trouble using Private Tunnel, please look here: