This article will help determine the reason a VPN won't become active and establish a Tunnel between two VPN devices. Follow the steps until the problem is resolved or a case needs to be opened with JTAC (Juniper Technical Assistance Center). 

How to troubleshoot a VPN that won't come up

Scenarios:

• A new LAN-to-LAN VPN tunnel between two NetScreen firewalls is not working

• A new LAN-to-LAN VPN tunnel between a NetScreen and an OEM VPN device is not working.

• An existing LAN-to-LAN VPN tunnel that was working until a change was made.

To see an overview of all VPN Resolution Guides: Firewall VPN Configuration & Troubleshooting Resolution Guides

To view the flowchart for the steps listed below, select: KB9221 Flowchart

Use the following steps to assist with resolving a VPN Tunnel that will not come active:

1. Is the VPN Tunnel's SA Active? For assistance, see KB6134 - How do I tell if a VPN Tunnel SA (Security Association) is active?

   • Yes, SA is Active - See KB9276 - How to Troubleshoot a VPN that is up, but, is not Passing Traffic .
   • Sometimes, SA is bouncing between Active and Inactive - See KB9488 - How to troubleshoot a VPN tunnel that is going up and down.
   • No, SA is Inactive  - Continue with Step 3.

2. Are there any IKE Phase 1 or 2 messages on the Responder VPN Firewall? 

   Check the responder firewall for IKE Phase 1 or Phase 2 messages received from the initiating firewall.  The responder is the "receiver" side of the VPN that is being pinged, receiving the tunnel set up requests, or receiving the tunneled traffic. The initiator is the side of the VPN from which the ping or traffic is generated.  For assistance, see KB4426 - How do I Find the VPN Entry in the Event Log?

   • Yes - Jump to Step 5.
   • No   - If there are no IKE Phase 1 or 2 messages in the event logs for this tunnel, go to the other VPN device (the initiator) and determine if there are any IKE Phase 1 or 2 messages in its event logs.  Continue with Step 4.

3. Are there any IKE Phase 1 or 2 messages in the Initiating VPN Firewall?

   • Yes - Jump to Step 6.
   • No   - See KB9217 - How to Troubleshoot a Site-to-Site VPN that won't come up and there are No Messages in the Event Logs.

4. Are there any IKE Phase 2 error messages for this VPN Tunnel in the Event Logs?

   • Yes - For assistance, see KB9231 - How to analyze IKE Phase 2 Messages in the Event Logs.
   • No   - continue with Step 6.

5. Are there any IKE Phase 1 error messages for this VPN Tunnel in the Event Logs?

   • Yes - For assistance, see KB9238 - How to analyze the IKE Phase 1 messages in the Event Logs.
   • No   - If there are no IKE Phase 1 messages in the Event Logs or this did not resolve the problem, continue with Step 6.

6. Collect Site-to-Site logs from the units at both ends of the VPN and open a case with JTAC - Juniper Technical Assistance Center. For assistance, see KB9229 - How to Collect Logs for a Failing Site-to-Site VPN and Open a New Case.

2020-07-29: Minor, non-technical edits.
2020-01-29: Article reviewed for relevance and accuracy; references to NetScreen Remote removed
2019-07-04: Article reviewed for accuracy and validity; article found to be relevant and up-to-date