Can't connect to VPN using AnyConnect, fails to activate or repair

[sherwintam]

I've been using AnyConnect from my home PC to log into my company VPN for a while, but it suddenly started failing to connect with some weird behavior at the end of December. After I attempt to connect to the VPN and go through my login verification, here's what happens from the message history:

3:36:16 PM Establishing VPN session...
3:36:16 PM The AnyConnect Downloader is performing update checks...
3:36:16 PM Checking for profile updates...
3:36:16 PM Checking for product updates...
3:36:16 PM Checking for customization updates...
3:36:16 PM Performing any required updates...
3:36:16 PM The AnyConnect Downloader updates have been completed.
3:36:16 PM Establishing VPN - Initiating connection...
3:36:17 PM Establishing VPN session...
3:36:17 PM Establishing VPN - Examining system...
3:36:17 PM Establishing VPN - Activating VPN adapter...
3:36:58 PM Establishing VPN - Repairing VPN adapter...
3:37:40 PM Connection attempt has failed.
3:37:40 PM VPN session ended.

In addition, my computer seems to be creating multiple new network connections; every time I attempt to log in it creates one new Ethernet connection with a "Surfshark Tunnel" network adapter (note: I uninstalled Surfshark years ago), and then another one for the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client Connection. The more times I try to log in, the more Ethernet connections are created. Also, in Device Manager I have a Surfshark Tunnel network adapter, but looking at the driver details, it's the Cisco driver under another name.

Things I've tried:

• Uninstalling my personal VPN.
• Disabling my antivirus.
• Running sfc /scannow.
• Uninstalling the Surfshark Tunnel network adapter in Device Manager.
• Reinstalling AnyConnect after deleting all Cisco folders in Program Files, ProgramData, and AppData.
• Using different versions of AnyConnect (4.9.05042 and 4.10.04071).
• Turning off IPv6 on all my network connections.
• Using the Network Reset function in Windows 10 to reinstall all my network drivers.
• Uninstalling the dormant Surfshark system driver to be safe.
• Removing all registry entries for Surfshark I could find.

Any help would be appreciated.

[sherwintam · Accepted solution]

Managed to find a solution to this, though it seems pretty ugly: for some reason the network adapter was using "Surfshark Tunnel" as its display name, even though the driver itself was for AnyConnect. So, I went and changed the FriendlyName field in the Windows registry at Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Enum\ROOT\NET\0000 to "Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client Virtual Miniport Adapter for Windows x64" ... and now AnyConnect works, which is sorta shocking.

[callenv1]

Wow yeah, this worked.  I tried everything under the sun.  This one finally did it.  Thank you. Mine was named NLWT TUN.  You're right about it being shocking.  Do better Cisco.

[leeadriand79]

Throw that MF in the trash!!