You suspect a particular issue of a program is caused by firewall blocking, for example, a connectivity problem, and you want to figure out if your firewall is really blocking that program. To find out the answer, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, I’ll show you how to check if your firewall is blocking a program. Besides, I’ll also show you how to unblock a program if it’s blocked.
What’s a firewall?
In the world of tech, a firewall is your digital bouncer. It stands guard at the entrance, deciding who gets in and who’s left out. Firewalls come in two flavors: software and hardware. Software firewalls are typically part of your operating system, like Windows Firewall, while hardware firewalls are separate devices protecting your entire network.
Generally, when we mention firewalls, we mean Windows firewall or our security software (third-party firewalls). So in the following section, I’ll guide you through how to check if Windows firewall is blocking a program and how to check if third-party firewalls are blocking a program.
Check if Windows Firewall is Blocking a Program
Windows Firewall can block a program without your notice. To check if Windows firewall is blocking a program, follow these steps:
Step 1: Access Windows Firewall Settings
1) Press Windows logo key and type Firewall.
2) Click on Firewall & network protection from the result.
Step 2: Review Blocked Programs
1) Choose Allow an app through firewall.
2) Check the list of allowed and blocked programs. You’ll see if the program which you suspect blocked is in the list of blocked programs. If the checkbox next to the program, the program is blocked on the Firewall.
If the program is blocked, you may want to unblock it. To unblock a program, head to Step 3.
Step 3: Unblock a Program
1) Select Change settings (you might need admin rights).
2) Check the checkbox next to the program and check both Private and Public options if needed.
3) Click OK to save the changes.
Check If Third-Party Firewalls are Blocking a Program
If you’re using third-party security software like Norton or McAfee, the steps may vary. Here’s a general guideline:
Step 1: Access Firewall Settings
1) Open your security software.
2) Look for Firewall or Network Protection.
Step 2: Find the Blocked Programs
1) Explore the settings menu to find a list of blocked programs.
2) Locate the program that you suspect is blocked.
Step 3: Follow on-screen instructions to allow the program.
Additional Tips
Here are some extra tips to prevent future firewall blocking issues:
- Regular Updates: Keep your firewall software up-to-date.
- Permission Caution: Be cautious when granting permissions to programs.
- Post-Update Check: After program updates, make sure they’re still allowed.
Conclusion
Firewalls are there for your system safety, but they can also be a culprit behind a program not working issue. If you suspect that a program is blocked by your firewalls, follow the guide above, then you can find out the truth. If a program is blocked, simply unblock it.
Hopefully you find this post helpful. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment below.