Bitdefender VPN - Error Code 1(HydraKilled)

My VPN has stopped working again, this new version with the interactive map is not fit for purpose, it commonly fails to connect, disconnects for no reason on multiple PC's I have running windows 10 or 11..... the old version without the map was brilliant.

Today I have the above error, I can't find any info on this error anywhere, not even searching the help on here, I have port 443 open in my Sky Router, I have reset the internet by using the 6 commands listed in the help article 11311 which all worked, my internet is working with no problems, my Bitdefender VPN is a paid 10 device subscription and I am using an activated copy of Bitdefender Total 10 Device, I am not on a public Wi-Fi, my Wi-Fi is actually turned off and I am connected through Ethernet Cable directly to my Sky Router.

I Have removed and re-installed the VPN before trying any resetting ect, then tried all the fixes (except changing my DNS Server) in the help article 11311

I have blanked my I.P in the screen shot attached

Any ideas ??


Answers

  • Flexx
    Flexx mod
    edited April 20

    Kindly contact Bitdefender support by visiting https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/

    Depending on your selected product and the type of issue you're facing, you can reach a support representative via email, chat, or phone.

    If you choose email support, you will receive a ticket number in your registered email. Kindly generate and attach the following logs to the ticket:

    Generate Bitdefender BDsysLog: https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/1922/

    Generate Bitdefender Support Tool Log: https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/1733/

    Generate Bitdefender Connectivity Log: https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/9689/

    If the generated logs are larger than 25 MB, which is the attachment limit for most email vendors, you can upload the logs to https://upload.bitdefender.net/ and share the link with the support team.

    Regards

    Life happens, Coffee helps!

    Show your Attitude, when you reach that Altitude!

    Bitdefender Ultimate Security Plus (user)

  • AwayneA
    AwayneA Retired IT Professional
    edited April 7

    I followed your recommended procedures to troubleshoot/fix VPN connectivity problem. VPN still failed. I tried to generate a support email and include bdsyslog, SupportTool generated file and a Connectivity Issues executable that generated a support file. The support email would only allow me to include 2. When I clicked Submit, the process hung up there forever.

    I'm a retired IT guy. I use Bitdefender because it was what they used (at the time, a cyber security company). I have a love/hate relationship with Bitdefender…until this VPN connection issue, it's been mostly Love, but now…not so much. I have a long reach. People ask me for assistance and recommendations all the time. If you can't fix this, I will ride out the subscription and have to look for something better and my recommendations will point elsewhere.

  • Life happens, Coffee helps!

    Show your Attitude, when you reach that Altitude!

    Bitdefender Ultimate Security Plus (user)

  • Alexandru_BD
    Alexandru_BD admin
    edited April 8

    Hello @AwayneA and thanks for joining us here. Before leaving Bitdefender, we would appreciate if you could give us a chance to fix this for you.

    First, can you confirm if you have applied all relevant troubleshooting steps described in this article?

    https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/11311/

    Have you already raised a ticket with the Support teams? If yes, kindly provide me with the number so I can check it for you.

    If the answer is no and the connectivity issue persists, and you could not upload the necessary file on the ticket, please sent the request regardless of this and include the following information in your inquiry:

    1. The OS on which the VPN is running
    2. The Central account
    3. Whether the error occurs on a
      specific location or all locations?
    4. IP of the affected server - the IP displayed in the VPN interface
    5. If using standalone VPN or VPN in BMS
    6. Whether the problem occurs only on mobile data or only on Wi-Fi or present on both.
    7. App version.

    Once the Support engineers will have this basic and mandatory information to proceed, they will also request for a SPT log, if the error is encountered on Windows and they will provide further guidance and help you attach the file.

    Regards,

    Alex

    Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user

  • What a ball ache, can't be bothered to do all that, the copy of W10 Pro I was using the Bitdefender VPN on which kept giving me errors was installed on a fresh Windows install with the newest ESD Windows copy installed from USB on a new SSD, never mind as I'm using Proton VPN now, works flawlessly

  • Hydrakilled Error Update….

    So after getting this error on another PC, this new PC error was on a completely fresh install of W10 Pro O/S on a brand new hard drive, so I generated the Support Tool Log and Connection Logs, and sent them to support, they replied within 48hours and asked me to do this….

    Change the connection protocol from the default " Automatic " selection

    1. Open Bitdefender VPN
    2. Go to Settings
    3. Go to Advanced
    4. Click on Protocol
    5. Here, you will have the list of protocols available for Bitdefender VPN. Choose a different Protocol and check if the issue persists.

    My results were as follows…..

    Automatic - No connection error 1(Hydrakilled)Hydra

    Catapult - No connection error 1(Hydrakilled) or error code9

    OpenVPN UDP - Connects

    OpenVPN TCP - Connects

    Wireguard - Connects

    So my VPN is now working, I have left it on Wireguard, it does warn me that some features are not available with this setting, but I don't know what as I can't see any difference.

    I Hope this may help someone, and maybe there will be a fix in the future, but with Windows10 almost at the end of it's support I doubt it would be a priority.

  • @froggythrower thank you very much for taking the time to share this solution with the community, it's much appreciated! 👍️

    Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user

  • froggythrower
    edited June 3

    Final Update, after doing a few more things the Bitdefender Support Technition asked me to do and reporting back my findings, this is the final update from support….

    Hello Adam,
    Thank you for getting back to us and I hope you are well.
    Please note that I have looked into your case and given that the error does not appear on all protocols, the most suitable solution at this moment would be to keep using the Wireguard protocol. This protocol ensures that your VPN connection remains as fast and secure as possible, although the following features are limited:

    • Split tunneling –  websites. Users will still have access to split tunneling – apps on all protocols
    • Ad blocker and anti-tracker is a Hydra Catapult exclusive feature.
    • Double-hop. Traffic will only be routed through the exit node.

    Our development team is currently working on an update that will make these features available for all the other protocols as well, so that you can have a seamless experience with Bitdefender VPN. Until then, I recommend avoiding the automatic protocol and sticking with the last three.
    I hope this helps. If you have any further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to us at any time.
    Best regards

  • Thanks so much @foggythrower ! changing protocol to Wireguard has resolved my issue after the VPN upgrade🤸‍♂️

  • Hi Alex,

    Thanks for the above post with this excerpt.

    My results were as follows…..
    Automatic - No connection error 1(Hydrakilled)Hydra
    Catapult - No connection error 1(Hydrakilled) or error code9
    OpenVPN UDP - Connects
    OpenVPN TCP - Connects
    Wireguard - Connects

    Question? Do you have port forwarding enabled on your router? If so, then any of the above protocols would work.

    My ISP warned me not to enable port forwarding on my home wireless network as doing so would make my network vulnerable to cyber-attack, and I agreed. I am not accepting that risk because Bitdefender screwed up. I may have to cancel my subscription and go with a competitor product.

    Thanks again for your time and assistance.