Resolving Hamachi VPN Inbound Traffic Blocked Issue Easily

Hamachi, a popular VPN software developed by LogMeIn, allows users to create secure LAN-like networks over the internet. It’s heavily used by gamers, IT professionals, and small businesses to bridge connections across firewalls and NAT devices – simplifying the process of connecting remote computers. However, one persistent frustration many users run into is the dreaded “Inbound Traffic Blocked” error. This message appears in the Hamachi interface, indicating that your device may not be discoverable or reliably connectable by others on your VPN network.

This article will walk you through the causes of this issue and guide you step-by-step on how to easily resolve it. By the end, you should have a clear path to getting your network up and running again without sacrificing hours sifting through support forums.

What Does “Inbound Traffic Blocked” Mean in Hamachi?

The “Inbound Traffic Blocked” warning means that Hamachi is unable to receive incoming connections from other peers. This effectively blocks certain services – such as file sharing, remote desktop access, or multiplayer game hosting – that rely on other users initiating connections with your PC.

There are several reasons why this might happen:

• Your firewall has blocked Hamachi or its network adapter.
• Hamachi’s adapter is not configured properly.
• Network discovery or file and printer sharing options on Windows are disabled.
• Antivirus or third-party security software is interfering.

Let’s dive into the solutions and break down how to get your inbound traffic flowing again.

1. Allow Hamachi Through Your Windows Firewall

Windows Firewall can mistakenly flag Hamachi as a threat, preventing it from accepting inbound connections.

1. Open the Windows Control Panel.
2. Click on System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall.
3. From the left menu, select Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
4. Find Hamachi in the list. If not present, click Allow another app and browse to the executable, typically C:\Program Files (x86)\LogMeIn Hamachi\hamachi-2-ui.exe.
5. Ensure both Private and Public checkboxes are checked.

Once done, restart the Hamachi application and check the connection status.

2. Enable Network Discovery and File Sharing

Hamachi uses network discovery protocols to find and communicate with other devices. These need to be enabled for the VPN to work correctly.

1. Go to Settings > Network and Internet > Sharing Options.
2. Select your current network profile (Private or Public).
3. Enable the following options:
   • Turn on network discovery
   • Turn on file and printer sharing

After making these changes, reboot your system and test the VPN connection.

3. Configure Windows Defender Advanced Firewall Rules

If enabling Hamachi in the standard firewall settings doesn’t work, you may need to create inbound rules manually:

1. Open the Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security.
2. On the left panel, click Inbound Rules.
3. Click New Rule… on the right panel.
4. Select Program, then specify the Hamachi program path.
5. Allow the connection, apply it to all profiles (Domain, Private, Public), and give it a name like “Hamachi Inbound.”

Repeat this process for any additional Hamachi-related executables if necessary.

4. Verify Hamachi Network Adapter Settings

Hamachi installs its own virtual network adapter, and corrupted settings here can cause the “Inbound Traffic Blocked” issue.

1. Open Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings.
2. Right-click the Hamachi Network Interface and select Properties.
3. Double-check that Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) is checked and click it, then click Properties.
4. Ensure the setting is configured to “Obtain IP address automatically” and “Obtain DNS server automatically” unless instructed otherwise by network configuration.

Additionally, go back to the list of adapters and press Alt, then go to Advanced > Advanced Settings. Make sure the Hamachi adapter is at the top of the list to prioritize it over other networks.

5. Update or Reinstall Hamachi

Sometimes the issue may lie with an outdated or corrupted installation of Hamachi itself.

To update Hamachi:

• Open the Hamachi client.
• Click System > Preferences.
• Go to the Settings tab and check for automatic updates. You can force check updates as well.

If updating doesn’t resolve the issue, consider reinstalling:

1. Go to Settings > Apps and uninstall Hamachi.
2. Delete the Hamachi folder from Program Files (x86) and also from %AppData% to ensure a clean removal.
3. Restart your computer.
4. Download the latest version of Hamachi from the official LogMeIn website and install it.

6. Temporarily Disable Antivirus or Third-Party Security Software

Antivirus programs like Avast, Kaspersky, or Norton can interfere with Hamachi’s operation. As a diagnostic step:

1. Temporarily disable the antivirus shields or protection modules.
2. Restart Hamachi and check if the inbound traffic error resolves.

If this resolves the issue, return to your antivirus settings and add Hamachi and its network adapter as trusted applications or exclude them from network filtering.

Important note: Do not leave your antivirus turned off for extended periods. Only disable temporarily for testing purposes.

7. Use a Static IP Configuration (Advanced)

For some network configurations, assigning a static IPv4 address to your Hamachi adapter can help.

1. Navigate to Network Connections and right-click Hamachi > Properties.
2. Click on IPv4 > Properties.
3. Select Use the following IP address and enter:
   • IP Address: 25.x.x.x (matching your Hamachi IP structure)
   • Subnet Mask: 255.0.0.0

Make sure this IP doesn’t conflict with others on your network. This method may be more suitable for advanced users who understand IP networking.

8. Check for Windows Updates or System Configuration Conflicts

Occasionally, a newly installed Windows update or system change can disrupt Hamachi’s functionality.

If everything else fails, try these final checks:

• Roll back any recent Windows updates if the issue only started afterward.
• Boot in Safe Mode with Networking to see if a third-party process is causing the blockage.
• Use the Hamachi diagnostic tool accessible via the app’s system menu to export logs for advanced analysis.

Final Thoughts

While the “Inbound Traffic Blocked” issue in Hamachi can be frustrating, the steps above should help you diagnose and remedy the problem without needing advanced technical skills. Most commonly, the culprit lies within firewall settings, antivirus interference, or misconfigured network preferences.

Once fixed, Hamachi can be an invaluable tool for creating secure, virtual LAN connections that act just like physical networks – making it ideal for business, gaming