Can not connect with OpenVPN Connect 1.8.3

[Bender]

Hello,

i have a problem with OpenVPN Connect 1.8.3 on Win7 64bit.
After i would connect a Balloon Tip says:

JSONDialog: spawnProcess: 'ascii' codec can´t decode byte 0xfc in position 44: ordinal not in range(128)

Reinstall, search on google.....

Thanks for Help.

[sest1982]

Hello,

I have a similar problem.
I have a user accessing from multiple computers on a computer but shows the following error.
Unexpected error: JSONDialog: spawnProcess: 'ascii' codec can't decode byte 0xc3 in position 648: ordinal no in range(128)

Have you found any solution?

Thanks

[ddog800]

Well, I hate to say it, and I'm not 100% certain, but this looks to be an unhandled exception in the Connect client source code which could require an update from the developers. It looks like that error is a Python exception that occurs when Python attempts to convert a Unicode character into another format. If no format is specified, then it assumes ASCII. In this case, as with MANY Unicode characters, there is no ASCII equivalent, so it throws an exception. I'd suggest submitting this as a bug to the Connect client devs along with as much information as possible regarding the exact OS version and which language version of the OS is being used. Out of curiosity, which language version of the OS are you guys using on the systems where it's failing?

I'm not sure what the rules are here regarding posting links to other forums and blogs, so I'll refrain from doing that, but if you do a Google search with the meat of that exception ( from 'ascii'...(128) ) and in the context that you're searching for Python/Unicode issues and not an OpenVPN issue, then you'll find numerous results that describe this problem, Unfortunately, as I mentioned, it typically wouldn't be something that can be fixed without a recompile.

[novaflash]

I just saw your messages and I'd just like to say that this is caused by unicode characters - they're not being decoded properly in that version. There's a newer version available bundled in the latest development versions of OpenVPN Access Server. If you're using OpenVPN Access Server and you are experiencing this problem, use the support ticket system on openvpn.net and mention that problem, they'll be able to help you.

So, it's nothing you can really fix unless you decide to refrain from using 'strange' characters. It's probably best to await the next version which I hope will be out soon, and then these problems should be over.

[sschu]

Same for me... but normally there couldn't be any unicode-Character...
The tested password doesn't contain any special characters (only large and small letters and digits).
I've tested on 2 different PCs with the same operating system (windows 7 enterprise, german edition, fully patched). One is an Lenovo thinkpad X220tablet, the other one is a Dell Optiplex 980.
Both PCs using OpenVPN Connect 1.8.3.
The Thinkpad is using a WIFI for connecting to the openVPN-AS and the dell has a wired connection.
Same user, same password: different results.
The thinkpad displays this error (even when using different user and password - reinstall openvpn connect client doesn't change anything) and the optiplex does everything right.
The thinkpad is connected to a WIFI with WPA-enterprise encryption (using username and password for authentication). But even by wired connection the thinkpad can't connect.

So what's going wrong?

[Dimutrulkin]

The problem is still with us, is there a workaround option?

[veerensw]

I had Same issue, I installed Service Pack1 (Windows 7 64bit) and it resolved the issue with OpenVPN.

[veerensw]

I had Same issue with OpenVpn. I installed Service Pack1 (windows 7 64bit) and its resolved my .problem with the VPN.



Veerendra

[maes]

We fixed this issue by setting "Language for non-Unicode programs" to English (United States) in Windows' Control Panel and rebooting computer.

Control Panel > Clock, Language and Region > Region and Language.
In opened window click tab "Administrative" ( this is last tab )
Review what language is set under "Current language for non-Unicode programs" and change it by clicking on "Change system locale..." button.

Hope this will save someone 1 extra hour of research.