[GH-ISSUE #5077] Unexpected WireGuard interface restart during GlobalProtect connection #10442

New Issue

saavagebueno · 2026-08-05T01:25:55-04:00

saavagebueno commented

2026-08-05 01:25:55 -04:00

Originally created by @ressys1978 on GitHub (Jan 9, 2026).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/issues/5077

Describe the problem

When connecting GlobalProtect VPN on Windows or macOS, NetBird tears down and recreates its WireGuard interface. This immediately kills all active TCP sessions (e.g., SSH). The teardown happens even though routes remain valid.

Windows NetworkProfile logs show a sequence of interface/profile events (4002 → 10002 → 10000 → 20002 → 4004 → 10001) that correspond precisely to the moment NetBird destroys and recreates its interface.

This does not happen to wireguard or any other VPN software when GlobalProtect connects, just netbird.

netbird.debug.2761929254.zip

To Reproduce

Steps to reproduce the behavior:

Connect to a stable network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
Start NetBird VPN and Connect
Initiate an active TCP session (e.g., SSH) over NetBird.
Connect to GlobalProtect VPN (corporate client).
Netbird then gives "Connection to service lost" Error, and reconnects, but all SSH sessions are dropped.

Expected behavior

The Tunnel should survive transient network or firewall/profile changes triggered by GlobalProtect, without destroying the interface or dropping existing TCP sessions. TCP connections should remain active, similar to plain WireGuard behavior.

Are you using NetBird Cloud?

Self-Hosted

NetBird version

v0.62.1, but tested it all the way down to v0.60.0 and it occurs.

Is any other VPN software installed?

Yes. GlobalProtect, and Wireguard.

Debug output

Debug attached

Screenshots

n/a

Additional context

Add any other context about the problem here.

Have you tried these troubleshooting steps?

Reviewed client troubleshooting (if applicable)
Checked for newer NetBird versions
Searched for similar issues on GitHub (including closed ones)
Restarted the NetBird client
Disabled other VPN software
Checked firewall settings

Originally created by @ressys1978 on GitHub (Jan 9, 2026). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/issues/5077 **Describe the problem** When connecting GlobalProtect VPN on Windows or macOS, NetBird tears down and recreates its WireGuard interface. This immediately kills all active TCP sessions (e.g., SSH). The teardown happens even though routes remain valid. Windows NetworkProfile logs show a sequence of interface/profile events (4002 → 10002 → 10000 → 20002 → 4004 → 10001) that correspond precisely to the moment NetBird destroys and recreates its interface. This does not happen to wireguard or any other VPN software when GlobalProtect connects, just netbird. [netbird.debug.2761929254.zip](https://github.com/user-attachments/files/24523790/netbird.debug.2761929254.zip) **To Reproduce** Steps to reproduce the behavior: 1. Connect to a stable network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet). 2. Start NetBird VPN and Connect 3. Initiate an active TCP session (e.g., SSH) over NetBird. 4. Connect to GlobalProtect VPN (corporate client). 5. Netbird then gives "Connection to service lost" Error, and reconnects, but all SSH sessions are dropped. **Expected behavior** The Tunnel should survive transient network or firewall/profile changes triggered by GlobalProtect, without destroying the interface or dropping existing TCP sessions. TCP connections should remain active, similar to plain WireGuard behavior. **Are you using NetBird Cloud?** Self-Hosted **NetBird version** v0.62.1, but tested it all the way down to v0.60.0 and it occurs. **Is any other VPN software installed?** Yes. GlobalProtect, and Wireguard. **Debug output** Debug attached **Screenshots** n/a **Additional context** Add any other context about the problem here. **Have you tried these troubleshooting steps?** - [x] Reviewed [client troubleshooting](https://docs.netbird.io/how-to/troubleshooting-client) (if applicable) - [x] Checked for newer NetBird versions - [x] Searched for similar issues on GitHub (including closed ones) - [x] Restarted the NetBird client - [x] Disabled other VPN software - [x] Checked firewall settings

saavagebueno added the client label 2026-08-05 01:25:55 -04:00

saavagebueno commented

2026-08-05 01:25:55 -04:00

@aviralgarg05 commented on GitHub (Jan 9, 2026):

I would like to solve this issue, please assign me this issue

@aviralgarg05 commented on GitHub (Jan 9, 2026): I would like to solve this issue, please assign me this issue

saavagebueno commented

2026-08-05 01:25:55 -04:00

@mlsmaycon commented on GitHub (Jan 9, 2026):

It seems like that Global connec causes some changes in the node's local network and that triggered our network monitor:

2026-01-08T14:15:36-04:00 INFO client/internal/networkmonitor/check_change_windows.go:69: Network monitor: default route added: via 0.0.0.0 @ 22 (Ethernet 5)
2026-01-08T14:15:38-04:00 INFO client/internal/engine.go:1805: Network monitor: detected network change, triggering client restart
2026-01-08T14:15:38-04:00 INFO client/internal/engine.go:1779: restarting engine
2026-01-08T14:15:38-04:00 INFO client/internal/engine.go:1782: cancelling client context, engine will be recreated

This happens because the other services adds a default route and that is usually a trigger for our client to restart. There is no workaround except for disabling the network monitor with the following command, but this means that you might have issues with computer switching to different networks.

netbird down
netbird up --network-monitor=false

@mlsmaycon commented on GitHub (Jan 9, 2026): It seems like that Global connec causes some changes in the node's local network and that triggered our network monitor: ```shell 2026-01-08T14:15:36-04:00 INFO client/internal/networkmonitor/check_change_windows.go:69: Network monitor: default route added: via 0.0.0.0 @ 22 (Ethernet 5) 2026-01-08T14:15:38-04:00 INFO client/internal/engine.go:1805: Network monitor: detected network change, triggering client restart 2026-01-08T14:15:38-04:00 INFO client/internal/engine.go:1779: restarting engine 2026-01-08T14:15:38-04:00 INFO client/internal/engine.go:1782: cancelling client context, engine will be recreated ``` This happens because the other services adds a default route and that is usually a trigger for our client to restart. There is no workaround except for disabling the network monitor with the following command, but this means that you might have issues with computer switching to different networks. ```shell netbird down netbird up --network-monitor=false ```

saavagebueno commented

2026-08-05 01:25:55 -04:00

@ressys1978 commented on GitHub (Jan 9, 2026):

@mlsmaycon

From my understanding is it should ignore that if the interface is a SoftInterface. I have other VPNs that add default routes when connected and they don't experience the same issue. For example an OpenVPN based VPN that uses a TAP Adapter. The Adapter used by GlobalProtect is "PANGP Virtual Ethernet Adapter Secure", which is a SoftwareInterface.

I've been fiddling around with the code locally, and have managed to fix where it breaks (at least for me and a couple of my users in testing). When I have time, and if someone else doesn't beat me to it, I'll submit a Pull Request to fix it on Windows so that "PANGP Virtual Ethernet Adapter Secure" is detected as a SoftInterface and treated as such.

I don't have a Mac that I can use (yet) to try and figure out how to fix it for MacOS.

@ressys1978 commented on GitHub (Jan 9, 2026): @mlsmaycon From my understanding is it should ignore that if the interface is a SoftInterface. I have other VPNs that add default routes when connected and they don't experience the same issue. For example an OpenVPN based VPN that uses a TAP Adapter. The Adapter used by GlobalProtect is "PANGP Virtual Ethernet Adapter Secure", which is a SoftwareInterface. I've been fiddling around with the code locally, and have managed to fix where it breaks (at least for me and a couple of my users in testing). When I have time, and if someone else doesn't beat me to it, I'll submit a Pull Request to fix it on Windows so that "PANGP Virtual Ethernet Adapter Secure" is detected as a SoftInterface and treated as such. I don't have a Mac that I can use (yet) to try and figure out how to fix it for MacOS.

Sign in to join this conversation.

Branches Tags

main

claude/agent-network-test-cases-p743vw

android/gui-integration

revert/component-types

feat-post_quantum_ml_kem

ice-stun-wg-demux

dependabot/npm_and_yarn/proxy/web/npm_and_yarn-b39864987c

agent-network-setup-poc

dependabot/go_modules/aws-sdk-8f849ebaed

dependabot/github_actions/actions-a940c7c866

dependabot/go_modules/otel-e34c790afd

dependabot/go_modules/testcontainers-de325c0dd6

dependabot/go_modules/wireguard-dbd6b95108

dependabot/go_modules/pion-5f703e1eca

dependabot/go_modules/gorm-2271c8195b

fix-login-needed-check

dependabot/go_modules/google.golang.org/grpc-1.82.1

fix/ui-gtk3-support

enterprise-traefik-and-migration-fixes

disambiguate_p2p_metrics

revert/component-types-hookup

embedded-vnc

feature/ios-ssh

docs/agent-network-docs-update

dependabot/go_modules/github.com/aws/aws-sdk-go-v2/service/s3-1.106.3

dependabot/go_modules/github.com/pion/stun/v3-3.1.5

fix-ssh-authorized-users-multi-rule

peer-acl-multi-source

reverse-proxy-crowdsec-appsec

reverse-proxy-allow-match-or

client-local-metrics

lazy-conn-per-peer

lazy-conn-rosenpass

dependabot/go_modules/github.com/gopacket/gopacket-1.7.0

dependabot/go_modules/goauthentik.io/api/v3-3.2026050.6

dependabot/go_modules/github.com/pires/go-proxyproto-0.15.0

dependabot/go_modules/github.com/jackc/pgx/v5-5.10.0

dependabot/go_modules/github.com/oapi-codegen/runtime-1.6.0

dependabot/go_modules/github.com/eko/gocache/lib/v4-4.2.4

dependabot/go_modules/github.com/pkg/sftp-1.13.11

dependabot/go_modules/github.com/coreos/go-oidc/v3-3.20.0

ssh-windows-privilege-check

fix/explicit-cors-handling

fix/remove-math-rand

test/gui-memory-leak-fix

fix/ui-status-dispatch

install-script-ui-dependencies

fix/grpc-get-network-map

fix/subscribe-status-coalesce

fix/tray-menu-item-leak

fix/windows-tray-race

feature/changeset

worktree-dns-route-qtype-fallthrough

mdm_integration

mlsmaycon-patch-2

feat/agent-network-ollama

proxy-tunnel-cache-ttl-env

coderabbitai/utg/1e5b0a5

grpc-acl

test/battery-drain

components-impl-drop-indexes-use-xids-no-resource-policy-map

fix/nmap-relevant-groups

e2e-guardrail-blocks-unselected-model

fix/lazyconn-cold-start-allowed-ips

vertex-guardrails-model-access-e2e

add-atomic-cache-ops

refactor/relay-foreign-cache

ci/trigger-release-tests

feature/kimi-3-agent-networks-dns-warmup

feature/dns-lazy-conn-warmup

daemon-ipc-acl

feature/ui-translation-key-parity-check

refactor/relay-foreign-cache-tests

fix/lazyconn-idle-keep-wg-peer

dmitri-propagate-auth-grant-types-on-combined

0.74.7-branch

diagnose-empty-vs-corrupt-state

windows-sleep-detector

fix/cli-up-wait-for-daemon

rp_key_persistency

feature/native-grpc

0.74.6-branch

0.74.6-branch-sync

0.74.5-branch-sync

0.74.4-branch

fix/remove-stale-peers-removal

fix/remove-stale-proxy-logic

fix/nsis-preserve-autostart-on-upgrade

refactor/peer-event-bus

dependabot/go_modules/goauthentik.io/api/v3-3.2026050.3

dependabot/go_modules/github.com/pkg/sftp-1.13.10

components-impl-drop-indexes

fix-reset-aggregation-window-flake

dependabot/go_modules/github.com/pion/dtls/v3-3.1.5

0.74.x

fix/relay-states-lock

update-process-pkg

update-gopsutil-v4

fix/relay_states_lock

increase-sysinfo-timeout

dependabot/go_modules/github.com/Azure/go-ntlmssp-0.1.1

dependabot/go_modules/github.com/eko/gocache/store/redis/v4-4.2.6

dependabot/go_modules/github.com/eko/gocache/lib/v4-4.2.3

fix/fail-to-create-upnp-port-mapping-on-opnsense-firewall

0.74.3-branch

fix/routeselector-atomic-exit-node

netmap_progressive_alignment

nmap/components-impl

dependabot/go_modules/github.com/jackc/pgx/v5-5.9.2

dependabot/go_modules/github.com/oapi-codegen/runtime-1.4.2

dependabot/go_modules/github.com/gopacket/gopacket-1.6.1

dependabot/go_modules/github.com/coreos/go-oidc/v3-3.19.0

dependabot/go_modules/github.com/pires/go-proxyproto-0.12.0

fix/signal-watchdog-sync-stop

docs/agent-network

test/affected-logic

fix/revert-ice-filter

refactor/simplify-affected-peers

pascal-filter-policies-by-direction

claude/lock-contention-peer-connect-g8t6au

dmitri-filter-policies-by-direction

refactor/migrate-profiles-to-go

profile-bindings-ios

fix/skip-restart-unchanged-route

fix/mgmt-cache-async-resolve

refactor/wails-update-105

client_lifetime_serialization_refactor

fix/browser-ssh-2

fix/ipv6-and-netstack-accept-loop

fix/browser-ssh

profile-id-name-test

refactor/mgmt-bootstrap

feat/getting-started-unified-wizard

socket-grpc-permissions

fix/mysql-index-migration

windows-dns-firewall

tests/enable-race-on-tests

ui-refactor-gtk3

feature/affected-peers-grpc

profile-id

lazyconn-first-packet-fix-v2

claude/focused-gates-VMTgb

ui-tray-linux-leftclick

fix/ctx-enrichment

daemon-owner

feature/android-client-ssh

worktree-accept-ra-forwarding

nmap/combined-deploy

task/align_protobuff_toolset

feature/session-extend

add-json-yaml-flags

refactor/ephemeral-cleanup

claude/webtransport-relay-wasm-mUjY9

claude/vnc-udp-feasibility-6KB1U

fix/wgport-config

e2e-windows-dns-combined

fix/login-cmd-root-flags

feat/reseller-openapi-spec

github-issue-resolver

add-steamos-support

fix-darwin-uninstaller

flutter-test

ci/freebsd-pkg-bootstrap

cached-serial-check-on-sync

fix-mgmt-cache-bypass-overlay

revert-easyjson-5938

revert-ice-5820

revert-firewalld-5928

refactor/permissions-manager

revert-dns-5935-systemd-resolved

revert-dns-5935-5945

revert-dns-5945-mgmt-cache

feature/log-most-busy-peers

prototype/ui-wails

coderabbitai/utg/8ae8f20

feature/use-peer-fqdn-on-https

release/0.68.3

add-slack-channel

claude/rdp-token-passthrough-eNcqW

transparent-proxy

fix/macos-stale-route-eexist

crowdsec-selfhosted

fix/remove-otel-units

entire/checkpoints/v1

fix/getting-started

feat/static-connectors-combined-server

feature/use-local-keys-embedded

feature/fleetdm

set-env-only-if-not-fork

feature/expose-has-channel

fix/connection-status-race

fix/filter-cgnat-cni-ice-candidates

feature/check-cert-locker-before-acme

test/proxy-fixes

test/proxy-mtu

prototype/ui-tauri

test/proxy-speed

fix-reused-ports

feat/migrate-to-embedded-idp

feature/add-serial-to-proxy-merged

deploy/proxy-serial

test/connection

feature/disable-legacy-port

feature/flag-to-disable-legacy-port

test/perftest

fix/http-redirect

poc-token-command

dn-reverse-proxy

prototype/reverse-proxy-rename

prototype/reverse-proxy-logs-pagination

feature/client-metrics

prototype/reverse-proxy-clusters

debug-dns-route

fix/win-dns-batch

add-extra-route-logs

job-stream-notify-disconnection-eof

deploy/secrets-manager

trigger-proxy-update

bug/update-ios-client-code-build-tags

sync-client-netmap-serial

log/conn-disconn

nmap/compaction-deploy

ci-win-test

feature/disk-encryption-check

wasm-debug

swap-dns-prio

fix/dex-config

feature/migrate-auto-groups-to-table

nmap/compaction

dex-nocgo-stub

feature/exclude-terraform-from-rate-limiting

test-freebsd

retries-refactor

coderabbitai/docstrings/b7e98ac

feat/integrate-zitadel

bug/ios-hanging-reconection

zitadel-idp

feat/network-map-serial

refactor/get-account-no-users

feat/auto-upgrade

feature/report-high-pat-id

feature/temporary-access-for-resource

fix/nmap-fwrules

dont-restart-dns

prototype/ui

update-gomobile

go-dns-for-ice

wasm-ldflags

test-ldflags

wasmbuild-test

feature/networks-s2s

vk/compare-nmaps

dbg/bothmaps

reorder-dns-shutdown

fix/relay-reconnection-race

fix/nmap-exitnodes

vk/debug/nmap-both

move-licensed-code

feat/better-daemon-connection-lost-message

feat/auto-update-2

test/timings

refactor/getaccount-raw

tests/nmap-getaccount

refactor/nmap

refactor/nmap-limit-buffer

feature/detect-mac-wakeup

feature/extract-modules

quick-setings

feat/sync-limiter

feature/store-cache-impl

fix-install-version

feature/store-metrics

feature/metrics-on-store

feature/use-gorm-cache

loadtest-signal

unsymmetrical-squash

refactor/reducate-signaling

test/update-reduce

feature/store-cache

feature/remote-debug

cli-ws-proxy-backend-addr

feat/mgmt-map-serial

snyk-fix-d9d0081a4c7f9137bdb59d0d50a141a2

snyk-fix-7415cea5a11acd66753540ca2c598c63

job-yml-update

feature/android-allow-selecting-routes

fix/up-sequence

fix/dns-hash-update

snyk-fix-967adae9863f17f108ce8948d9117b8d

log/getaccount-by-peer

signal-suppressor

dns-exit-node

feature/auto-updates

feature/cache-srv-key

merged-fixes

fix/missed-offers-and-debug

debug-and-fixes

poc-wasm-clean-backend-s2s

test/remote-debug

debug-api

fix/remove-gpo-if-empty

fix/test-freebsd

fix/mysql-setup

fix/remove-logout-btn

handle-existing-domain-user

chore/unify-domain-validation

snyk-fix-c5fafc8a50ce1f29046e25a1fc346185

feat/profile-edit-btn

snyk-fix-a54966211e18d4cf67e5a2757cc006d1

log-short-id

feat/logout-ephemeral

log-checks

batch-wg-ops

nb-interface-default

feat/aws-integration

add/race-test

feature/relay-feature-versioning

fix/systemd-service-logs

poc/preprocessed-map

add-account-onboarding

bind-ipv6

fix/merge-main

logs/peerlogs-addpeer

feature/net-297-network-migration

feature/support-skip-auto-apply-exit-node-routes

set-cmd

set-command-with-cursor

feature/limit-update-channel

stop-using-locking-share

feature/poc-lazy-detection

feature/net-248-removal-of-sync-mutex-locks

test/multiple-peer-logging

preresolve

add-ns-punnycode-support

apply-routes-early

windows-search-domains

fix/connecting-route-filter

feature/management/rest-client/impersonate

debug-local-records

resource-fields-snake-case

test/grpc-rate-limit

traffic-correlation-policy

feature/rest-client-options

feat/events-metrics

feature/buf-cli

test/add-ratelimiter

test/remove-write-lock-on-add-peer

fix/add-peer-semaphore

feature/users-roles-endpoint

mlsmaycon-patch-1

debug-user-role

chore/primary-key-on-networks

feature/update-account-peers-buffer-startup

remove-ubuntu2004-runners

refactor/permissions-no-pat-allowed

ref/logrus-factory

use-conntrack-zone

deploy/permissions-account

feature/lazy-connection-idle

ref/improve-test-cov

restore-pr-3440

test/increase-grpc-timeouts

feat/buffer-account-peers-update

test/networkmapgeneration-changes

feature/base-manager

feature/flow-receiver

chore/benchmark-with-large-runner

refactor/handshake-initiator

client/ui-update-systray-icons

userspace-router

wgwatcher-test

output-if-key-already-exists

fix/relay-reconnection

feature/port-forwarding-client-codecleaning

detached2

test/callbacks-nil-iceconninfo

refactor/optimize-peer-expiration

enable-udp-port-for-docker-template

fix/relay-update

feature/apply-posture-netmap

fix/group-update-existing-resource

conntrack-stats

upgrade-okta-sdk

multi-price

test/conn-stat

set-min-parallel-tests-for-management

dns-interceptor

debug-dns

router-dns

add-static-system-info

debug-0.29.4

debug-0.33.0

account-refactoring

relay/2800_quic

route-get-account-refactoring

test/seed-random-routes

feature/get-account-refactoring

test/reconnect-race-condition

refactor/get-account-usage

feature/add-session-id-to-update-channel

improve-ipv4conn

fix/async-pion-event-handling

debug

add-offload

feature/validate-group-association-debug

fix/limit-conn-for-sqlite

test/engine-iface

test/transaction-for-jwt-sync

fix/engine-stop-in-foreground

feature/add-mysql-support

test-migration

refactor/header-size-values

relay/eliminate-gob

test/signal-dispatcher-with-relay

relay/debug

validate-icon

feature/ipv6-support

use-pre-expanded-peers-map

feature/use-signal-dispatcher

validate/peer-status

add-read-write-times

fix/sync-peer-race

feature/relay-status

netmap

evaluate/network-map-hash

fix/lower-dns-resolve-interval-on-fail

feature/relay

fix/go-mod-version

upgrade-nftables

synology-userspace-mode

fix/use-ip-for-default-routes-on-darwin

fix/proxy_close

enable-release-workflow-on-pr

deploy/peer-performance

feature/permanent-turn

feature/permanent-turn-proxy

deploy/posture-check-sqlite

feature/optimize_sqlite_save

debug-ios-behavior

fix/delete-route-only-after-adding

tshoot/windows-logger

remove-new-routing

refactor/eliminate-repo-dependency

add-arm-to-ci

refactor-demo-account-object

test/abc2

test/abc

send-ssh-rosenpass-config-meta

refactor-demo

ensure-schedule-never-runs-non-positive

feature/peer-validator-groupmgm

feature/peer-validator-fix

fix/include-active-dashboard-users

fix/handle-canceling-schedule

fix/geo-download

debug-google-workspace

yury/resolve-ip-to-location

feature/extend-sysinfo

sqlite-async-peer-status

yury/add-postgresql-store

fix/route

test-build

posture-checks-poc

debug-keycloak-idp

poc/netstack

for-pascal-tmp

peer-logout-management

manual-peer-logout

detached

chore/refactor-management

test/dns-bind

fix/enforce-acl-for-containers

yury/use-sync-map-in-updatechannel

fix/events-key-handling

filter-cache-on-load-account

fix/user-expiration

handle-user-context-cancellation

nb-client-k8s-statefulset

fake-addr

fix/iptables_in_docker

ebpf-debug

update-getting-started-flow-use-postgres

fix/peer_list_notification

feature/device-authentication-with-client-secret

feature/keep_alive

feat-groups-from-jwt

separate_proxy_from_wgconfig

fix/wg_conn

wg_conn_fix

wg_bind_parallel_processing

fix-rollback-get-acls

proxy_cfg_cleanup

performance-improvement-rego

update-lock-log-level

feat-client-side-acl

refactor/move_grpcserver_logic_to_account_manager

feature/event-storage

feature/update-idp-redeeming-invite

feature/api-peer-info

return-groupminimum-setupkey

feature/interface-bind

documentation_enhancement

fix-peer-registration

ssh

users_cache

pass-client-caller

client_caller_type

revert-283-feat-fix-windows-installer

periodic-peer-updates

ebpf

braginini/wasm

1 Participants

Notifications

Due Date

No due date set.

Dependencies

No dependencies set.

Reference: DYNR/netbird#10442