How to fix Windows Defender Firewall to Unblock your WiFi or Internet Connection

If the Windows Network connection is not set properly or if your Firewall is blocking the CompanionLink connection, this can prevent registration and sometimes Sync from being able to work correctly. There are a few things to check to make sure CompanionLink can communicate properly.

Make Sure Your Network Connection is Set to Private

If you don't set it specifically, Windows can default your Home or Work internet connection to the "Public" setting which can effect program firewall rules and most only add an exception for Private Networks. If you are on your Home or Work's Private network, check here to ensure Windows is setting it as Private:

1. Click the Start Menu of Windows and select the Gear on the left.
2. In the Main Windows Settings menu, select Network and Internet.
3. Under your Internet Connection, be it Hardwire or Wifi, select Properties.
4. Ensure under the Network Profile the Connection is set to "Private". If not select the Private option.

Restart the PC and try Syncing or Registering again.

Check for a Firewall Exception

If you are still unable to sync or register CompanionLink, it could be you need an exception for CompanionLink in the Windows Defender Firewall. To check this:

1. Click the Start Menu of Windows and select the Gear on the left.
2. In the Main Windows Settings menu, select Network and Internet.
3. At the bottom of the network settings click the blue link for "Windows Firewall".
4. In the popup verify that the Firewall is "On". If so, click the "Allow an through Firewall".
5. From them menu that opens click the "Change Settings" in the top right, then scroll down the list to look for CompanionLink.

If CompanionLink is already on the list, make sure the Private option is checked. If CompanionLink is not on the list make use these steps to add it manually:

1. Click "Allow Another App" at the bottom, then on the right of this menu select Browse.
2. Find My Computer\This PC on the left, find the C:\ drive, find Program Files (x86), find and click on the CompanionLink Folder.
3. On the right find "companionlink.exe" (it might just say Application), click Ok, and lastly click Add.

If either of the above was necessary, reboot the PC, then try syncing or registering again.

• Note: If the firewall was Off in the first set of steps, it might mean you have a third party Antivirus\Firewall program. You will need to see their documentation for "adding an exception" to their firewall from their help guides.

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Alternate Method for checking the Windows Defender Firewall in Windows 10 and lower:

1. Click the start menu in Windows, find Control Panel on the right (if this is Windows 10, click the search bar\dot in the bottom left next to the Start menu and type Control Panel, and click the top result),
2. In the top right of the Control Panel if it lists Category, click the drop down and select Small Icons.
3. Towards the bottom of the Control Panel menu, find Windows Firewall (it might list Windows Defender Firewall) and click it.
4. In the Windows Firewall menu, if the two Shields are green, in the top left, click Allow a Program or Feature through.
5. In the next screen, in the top right, click Change Settings if it is not greyed out.
6. If CompanionLink is already here, ensure the Private box on the right is checked.
7. If CompanionLink is no there on the right click "Allow Another Program", on the right of this menu select Browse, find My Computer\This PC on the left, find the C:\ drive, find Program Files (x86), find and click on the CompanionLink Folder. On the right find "companionlink.exe" (it might just say Application), click Ok, and lastly click Add.
8. If it does appear, ensure the box on the left of it is checked and all the boxes on the right are checked. If not, check these boxes and click Ok.

If either of the above was necessary, reboot the PC, then try syncing or registering again.

• Note: If the two Shields in the Firewall menu are Red, it might mean you have a third party Antivirus\Firewall program. You will need to see their documentation for "adding an exception" to their firewall from their help guides.