Fix Hotspot Shield Bandwidth Exceeded, TCP Connect Wait, Auth Failure or Daemon Start Error
Hotspot Shield is essentially a free private secure VPN tunnel service that routes through a US server with USA location IP address. And thus, it has been used not only for security unencrypted wireless connection connected to public WiFi access point, but also been used as a tool to access websites restricted only to visitors from United States, or as a ‘proxy’ to surf anonymously or download shared files from RapidShare, MegaUpload, etc.
Unfortunately, Hotspot Shield now limit the free bandwidth usage (data that been transmitted and tunneled through AnchorFree VPN server) to paltry 3 GB over a rolling 30 days period. The limit is easily hit especially when watching videos on Hulu, Pandora or Veoh. When the bandwidth limit exceeded, user may get one of the following error messages when attempting to connect to Hotspot Shield VPN server at Hotspot Shield connect page.
State: Disconnected (Auth Failure)
State: Disconnected (Bandwidth Exceeded)
State: Daemon Start Error
State: TCP Connect Wait
After user pressed the connect button, the state will change information from Starting VPN Process to Unknown, to Waiting for server, and then to Authenticating, and finally at Pulling Options before looping repetitively and continuously again and again, until returning one of the error message above. And of course, the connection cannot be established, and VPN tunnel cannot be connected.
All these error messages happen for some specific reason that been detected by the Hotspot Shield server, but ultimately it’s due to the reason that the user has exceeded bandwidth limits, which currently set at 3 GB over a 30 days period. Any user that has used more than 3 GB (used to be 10 GB previously) will not be able to log in until their prior month of bandwidth usage drops below 3 GB.
To fix Bandwidth Exceeded, TCP Connect Wait, Auth Failure or Daemon Start Error when connecting to Hotspot Shield VPN server to establish secure tunnel, user have to beat and bypass the bandwidth limit. By right, AnchorFree should have provided user with option to purchase additional bandwidth when the user overuses and exceeds the limit. However, there is no such options yet. So the workaround option is to reset the bandwidth limit.
MAC (Media Access Control) address is also known as Ethernet Hardware Address (EHA) is a quasi-unique identifier attached to most network adapters (NIC or Network Interface Card). Each and every network adapter has different unique MAC address. Hotspot Shield bandwidth calculation is tied to the MAC address. So by changing the MAC address, Hotspot Shield will treat it as the new PC, and has the bandwidth usage starts from 0 (zero), as if the limit has been reset as user is still using the same system.
Most network interface card (NIC adapter) supports cloning of MAC address. To change the MAC address of supported network adapter, do the following:
- Go to Start -> Control Panel.
- Double click on Network Connections (inside Network and Internet Connections category).
- Right click on the active network connection with network adapter that you want to change the MAC address (normally Local Area Network or Wireless Network Connection) and click on Properties.
- In the General tab, click on the Configure button.
- Click on Advanced tab.
- In the Property section, select and highlight Network Address or Locally Administered Address.
- To the right, “Not Present” radio button is by default selected as value. Change the value by clicking on radio button for Value:, and then type in a new MAC address to assign to the NIC.

The MAC address consists of 6 pairs of numbers (0 – 9) and characters (A – F) combination. For example, 88-17-E8-90-E2-0A. When entering the new MAC value, omit the dash (-), for example 8817E890E20A.
- Click OK when done.
- To verify the change of MAC address, go to command prompt, then type in one of the following commands:
ipconfig /all
net config rdr - Reboot the computer if successful to make the change effective.
Note that in Windows Vista, access to NIC’s properties is from Control Panel -> Network and Internet -> Network and Sharing Center -> Manage Network Connections. Alternatively, for both Windows XP and Windows Vista, go to Device Manager and open the properties dialog of NIC from there.
If you cannot or unable change or spoof MAC address using method above, try the methods listed in complete guide to change MAC address (MAC spoofing).
Related posts:
- Hotspot Shield (AnchorFree) – Free Secure and Private VPN for Public WiFi
- TCP/IP Has Reached the Security Limit Imposed on the Number of Concurrent TCP Connect Attempts Error on Windows Vista
- Start, Stop and Restart Crond Daemon in Linux
- Unable to Logon to Win2003 Domain AD Due to Windows Cannot Connect to the Domain Error
- Apache Warn NameVirtualHost *:80 Has No VirtualHosts Error When Start





what if i’m using windows 7?? where am i supposed to go
I need hotspot
it dont work cos its a backdoor trojan you idiots
sheeesh do u not learn
How about for windows 7 where do i go?
I've just downloaded Hotspot Shield but when I try to connect in Firefox it says this:
Unable to connect
Firefox can't establish a connection to the server at 127.0.0.1:895.
# The site could be temporarily unavailable or too busy. Try again in a few
moments.
# If you are unable to load any pages, check your computer's network
connection.
# If your computer or network is protected by a firewall or proxy, make sure
that Firefox is permitted to access the Web.
Anyone know how to fix this? and sorry if this isn't in the correct category.
wow…nice man…hats of to you
hey guy can you help me out on this
i successfully install hotspot shield but is didnot connect :
first it show me staring vpn process then tcp connecting or waiting for server and then disconnect : WTH is that : and then connect automatically and then disconnect ?
[...] US Serien legal im Internet schauen… Fix Hotspot Shield Bandwidth Exceeded, TCP Connect Wait, Auth Failure or Daemon Start Error My Digit… __________________ [...]
plz help me i didnt connect/on the hotspot shield, i had downlouded and installed but now i cant connect the hotspot shield so plz let me know any procedure to connect
When i start my Hotspot Shield and state said : Unknown : WTF!?PLZ HELP!
[...] For those more technically inclined, the workaround is available. Mydigitallife has a really nice article about [...]
pls i want to ask if this hotspot shiled can work outside US. i.e can it be used in african country.
thanks.
hot spot shield anchor free is not being connected daemon start errdr comes on screen please help to connect
i cant acccess hotspot everytime i download it a black screen comes out and disappears and nothin happens…what should i dooo please help me
PLEASE HELP!I am using DSL modem i am unable to access hotspot shield. Error is start daemon error.When i tried the above it makes my internet disconnect.Is there any suggestions.
where did you download Ultrasurf 9.0
Still get Daemon Start Error ?
Try Ultrasurf 9.0 if you are running windows.
Hi I am using ADSL modem iam unable to access hotspot shield. Error is start daemon error. The proess you mentioned is for NIC card. Can you send me the process for ADSL modem saying how to access hotspot shield. My mail id is aafaqhussain@gmail.com
Help!…i tried the way mentioned above but it still wont connect…the daemon start error still doesnt dissapear…any suggestions
Help..i tried the way mentioned above but it still wont connect…the daemon start error still wont disappear..any other solutions? =]
Help!…i tried the way mentioned above but it still wont connect…the daemon start error still doesnt dissapear…any suggestions
Hi I am using ADSL modem iam unable to access hotspot shield. Error is start daemon error. The proess you mentioned is for NIC card. Can you send me the process for ADSL modem saying how to access hotspot shield.
Warm Regards.
AAFAQ
help! I don't get. I am using wireless and this wont work! =(