vLanIO Troubleshooting Guide
Fix common vLanIO connection and transfer issues on your local network.
Troubleshooting Guide
Use this guide when devices cannot find each other, transfers fail, or speeds are unexpectedly slow.
Device Not Found
Symptom
Other machines running vLanIO do not appear in the device list.
Check:
- Same network — same Wi‑Fi or same switch; not guest/isolated VLAN
- App running — vLanIO open on both sides (background sleep can pause discovery)
- VPN off — VPN often routes traffic away from the LAN
- Firewall — allow vLanIO in Windows Defender / macOS Firewall
- AP isolation — disable "client isolation" on the router for testing
Quick test: ping the other device by local IP. If ping fails, fix the network before vLanIO.
Connection Refused or Timeout
Symptom
Device visible but transfer will not start.
Try:
- Restart vLanIO on both devices
- Toggle Wi‑Fi off/on or switch to Ethernet
- Confirm neither side is on a metered hotspot with client blocking
- Re-pair after removing the peer from Settings → Devices
Slow Transfer Speed
Symptom
Transfer works but speed is far below expected LAN rates.
Causes & fixes:
| Cause | Fix |
|---|---|
| Wi‑Fi congestion | Move closer to AP or use 5 GHz |
| Large distance / walls | Use wired Ethernet |
| Background sync | Pause cloud backup tools |
| Old router | Test with a direct switch between two PCs |
See also: speed tips in our best-practices articles.
Transfer Interrupted
Symptom
Progress stops mid-way.
- Check sleep settings — disable sleep during large transfers
- Keep laptop plugged in; battery saver can throttle network
- Retry; partial files may need manual cleanup in the save folder
Permission Denied (macOS / Linux)
Grant Local Network (macOS) or ensure the binary can bind to discovery ports (Linux firewalld/ufw).
# Example: allow through ufw (adjust binary path)
sudo ufw allow from 192.168.0.0/16 to any app vLanIO
Wrong File or Corrupt Archive
Rare on LAN; verify disk space before sending. For critical data, compare file hashes after transfer.
Mobile / Tablet Notes
If using vLanIO on mobile, ensure the app has local network permission (iOS Settings → Privacy → Local Network).
Still Need Help?
If none of the above helps:
- Read the documentation
- Visit About for support contact options
- Include: OS version, network type (Wi‑Fi/Ethernet), and whether VPN was active
Last updated: November 11, 2024
Applies to: vLanIO 1.x and later