Mozilla VPN Not Working - "Background Service Error"
I'm using Arch Linux
Using the AUR version, found here: https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/mozillavpn/
Doesn't connect and says "Background Service Error - Restore" And clicking restore doesn't do anything.
Here's an excerpt from the logs:
Warning: "No such interface “org.freedesktop.DBus.Properties” on object at path /org/freedesktop/NetworkManager/ActiveConnection/4" (linux|controller - LinuxController) DBus service says: error. (main - MozillaVPN) Handling error 4 (main - MozillaVPN) Alert: 5 State: 3
All Replies (8)
Hi,
I was able to send a note over to the VPN team about your issue. They noted that it looks like the MozillaVPN linuxdaemon app is not running. This is the service that controls the VPN and is executed via the dbus with root permissions. They noted it looks like the package was compiled but not executed correctly.
This does not solve your issue but suggests that the package needs to be reinstalled fresh.
As a follow up,
The VPN team noted that Arch linux does not have an official package, thus you would have been compiling the package yourself correct?
You should check if the mozillavpn daemon is running as root privileges. This is by default in the Mozilla VPN packages, but for other distros, it can be different.
The team suggested you try running this command: sudo killall mozillavpn; sudo mozillavpn linuxdaemon
SUMOsJR said
As a follow up, The VPN team noted that Arch linux does not have an official package, thus you would have been compiling the package yourself correct? You should check if the mozillavpn daemon is running as root privileges. This is by default in the Mozilla VPN packages, but for other distros, it can be different. The team suggested you try running this command: sudo killall mozillavpn; sudo mozillavpn linuxdaemon
Why does mozillavpn need root privileges? I do not feel comfortable running many programs as root, because it creates possible security and stability issues. Also, I am not compiling from source. I linked the package I am using in the initial post.
Hello,
At this moment we only support Ubuntu 18.04.5 (Bionic Beaver), 20.04 LTS (Focal Fossa) and 20.10 (Groovy Gorilla). If you are not using any of these packages it is likely the VPN won't work properly.
jzapata1 said
Hello, At this moment we only support Ubuntu 18.04.5 (Bionic Beaver), 20.04 LTS (Focal Fossa) and 20.10 (Groovy Gorilla). If you are not using any of these packages it is likely the VPN won't work properly.
I doubt this is the issue. The AUR has a history of being very reliable & other people seem to be running it fine.
Modified by AverytheFurry
Hi again.
Some notes I was able to pull from the VPN team regarding your question.
MozillaVPN is composed by 2 components: the UI and the daemon. The UI runs with the user permissions. This UI app has the majority of the functionalities: the authentication flow, the vpn activation, the settings and so on. The second component is the daemon and its task is to talk with the Linux kernel to enable the VPN. The daemon requires root permissions because of that.
As any package hosted on a launchpad PPA, the compilation is done server-side by launchpad.net. The source code can be taken directly from the PPA and form github.
SUMOsJR said
Hi again. Some notes I was able to pull from the VPN team regarding your question. MozillaVPN is composed by 2 components: the UI and the daemon. The UI runs with the user permissions. This UI app has the majority of the functionalities: the authentication flow, the vpn activation, the settings and so on. The second component is the daemon and its task is to talk with the Linux kernel to enable the VPN. The daemon requires root permissions because of that. As any package hosted on a launchpad PPA, the compilation is done server-side by launchpad.net. The source code can be taken directly from the PPA and form github.
Thank you very much! I guess I'll just try troubleshooting, as the killall and restart didn't fix the issue.
SUMOsJR said
Hi again. Some notes I was able to pull from the VPN team regarding your question. MozillaVPN is composed by 2 components: the UI and the daemon. The UI runs with the user permissions. This UI app has the majority of the functionalities: the authentication flow, the vpn activation, the settings and so on. The second component is the daemon and its task is to talk with the Linux kernel to enable the VPN. The daemon requires root permissions because of that. As any package hosted on a launchpad PPA, the compilation is done server-side by launchpad.net. The source code can be taken directly from the PPA and form github.
Thank you very much! I tried the command you suggested previously, but it did not work. I will try to troubleshoot myself now! Also, I seem to have downvoted your comment lol, is there a way to undo that? Clicking upvote doesn't change anything..