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There's a noticeable bit of puzzlement regarding the Windows Firewall pop-up you've encountered while installing Fantasy Grounds Unity (FGU). It can be not comforting for a first-time user or when a significant update has been launched. Additionally, it's common for one user in a group to encounter difficulties connecting with or interacting with FGU.
This guide aims to clarify these concerns and provide troubleshooting tips for issues such as being unable to see a map, interact with the FG Unity app, or connect.
Here's how others have or might have responded to a few everyday situations:
User's Quote: "I ran the FGU program, and it popped up a Windows Firewall notification. I didn't think and clicked "cancel" on it." Response: No need to fret. Sometimes, it's easy to impulsively click on "cancel" when an unexpected pop-up appears. Fortunately, we can fix this by adjusting your firewall settings manually.
User's Quote: "What pop-up? There was never a pop-up when I installed FGU." Response: Different systems and settings can lead to various responses. It's possible that the firewall exception for FGU was already allowed on your system, or perhaps your system settings didn't prompt a notification. Regardless, we can check the firewall settings to ensure FGU has the necessary permissions.
User's Quote: "What are you implying? I am in IT and know what a firewall is and how to change or fix the settings!" Response: My apologies if there was any misunderstanding. Given your IT background, you likely grasp the importance of having the correct firewall settings. That's great! It will make the following steps much more accessible.
User's Quote: "I shouldn't need a network tech engineering certificate just to figure out how to connect to a VTT game." Response: You're right. As users, you should be able to connect to a VTT game easily without needing a technical background. The complexity can sometimes arise due to the nature of internet connections, firewalls, and different operating systems, which we understand can be frustrating. That's why your community is here to help explain in more general terms, simplify the process as much as possible, and assist you through any technical challenges. Remember, contact the FGU support team or community forums for additional help.
Here's the step-by-step guide to retriggering the Windows Firewall pop-up:
Open Windows Security: Click the Start button and type "Windows Security" in the search box. Click on it when it appears.
Go to Firewall & network protection: From the Windows Security dashboard, click "Firewall & network protection."
Open Advanced Settings: At the bottom of the Firewall & network protection page, click the "Advanced settings" link.
Modify the Outbound Rules: On the left panel, click "Outbound Rules."
Find the Fantasy Grounds Unity Entry: In the Outbound Rules, search for the entry related to "Fantasy Grounds Unity." It may be named directly as the application or refer to the app's executable file.
Delete the Rule: Right-click on the entry and select "Delete." Confirm that you want to delete the rule when prompted.
Restart the Fantasy Grounds Unity application: After you've deleted the rule, close and restart the Fantasy Grounds Unity application. When the application tries to make a network connection, Windows Firewall should detect this and prompt you again whether you want to allow it.
Lastly, always remember that changes to firewall rules can influence your network communication and overall security. Confirm that your changes are safe and don't inadvertently expose your system to possible threats.
YouTube video example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqvbpE8aeVI
Additional common issues might include:
Cannot Connect: The user can't establish a connection to FGU, even though other players can.
Cannot See or Interact with Maps/Tokens: The user cannot view maps or interact with tokens within FGU.
Modules Will Not Load: FGU modules fail to load for the user.
For these cases:
For Connectivity Issues:
Follow the steps above to ensure FGU has the necessary permissions in your firewall settings.
For Issues with Maps/Tokens:
Check that your system meets the minimum requirements for running FGU. This includes sufficient storage space and graphics capabilities. Also, verify that you are using the latest version of FGU and that your graphics drivers are up-to-date.
For Modules that Won't Load:
Ensure you have the correct permissions to access these modules. Check for updates or patches for the modules that aren't loading. You might also want to try uninstalling and reinstalling the module in question.
Smiteworks, the company behind FGU, has provided a comprehensive troubleshooting guide to address networking issues. Here is the FG Atlassian wiki article for network troubleshooting. This article provides a detailed step-by-step guide on how to resolve common networking problems.
Remember, these suggestions are general tips, and the solution may vary depending on the specifics of your setup and the exact issues you're experiencing. If you're still encountering difficulties after trying these steps, contacting FGU support or the community forums for further assistance may be worthwhile.
Bandwidth issues, wireless connections, public internet, and some VPNs can create problems similar to the above examples. File paths and file name changes can also contribute to inability to see maps and tokens.
