cannot edit VPN preferences via GUI

[Tobias Wolter]

When trying to edit a VPN connection, I go to "Network Settings > <name> VPN", use the settings icon, and on the identity tab, I only get the option to edit the name and a message "Error: unable to load VPN connection editor".

Judging from the error message, I assume it's an incompatibility that came with the changes of https://mail.gnome.org/archives/commits-list/2013-January/msg09675.html

The only way to currently edit a VPN profile is by hand.

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

[Markus Lindenberg (markusl)]

This bug affects me, although under Saucy+Gnome 3+gnome3-team PPA. I haven't checked with a default Unity install.

Looks like this can be worked around if you manually start "nm-connection-editor" from the network-manager-gnome package, which opens the "old" UI and not the new fancy one that comes up if you click on the NM icon -> "Network Settings" or launch using gnome-control-center.

[Alistair Chapman (alistairgchapman)]

This bug is not limited to network-manager-openvpn, it also affects network-manager-openconnect and network-manager-vpnc. Openconnect and VPNC VPNs get the same "Error: Unable to load VPN Connection Editor" message, but Markus' workaround works well in the meantime.

[rob heron (rob-heron)]

Alistair, can you elaborate on Markus' workaround please? I don't seem to have the nm editor nor can I find my profiles?

thanks,

Rob

[Alistair Chapman (alistairgchapman)]

In my case (Ubuntu Saucy + GNOME3team PPA), I can just launch nm-connection-editor either from a terminal or from the Alt+F2 prompt and the "old style" connection editor appears. I can then view and edit all my network connections, including VPN connections. You will need network-manager-gnome installed, so check that if you are having trouble with nm-connection-editor.

[rob heron (rob-heron)]

hmm I do get the old editor, however i'm still faced with the greyed out save box! Have even followed other posts regarding the network manager policy to no avail. Will try this on another machine in the morning

[Mako' (mako82)]

Ubuntu Gnome 14.04 beta2
Gnome 3.12 (Gnome staging PPA)

I can confirm that I can edit VPN only launching manually nm-connection-editor

[Scott Anderson (scott-ohava)]

Confirming on 14.04 Final Beta, Gnome 3.10.4

Steps for Workaround:

*First make sure you have the appropriate: network-manager-openvpn, network-manager-openvpn-gnome

1. From terminal, launch "old-style" network connections window: nm-connection-editor

2. Click "Add" to bring up the "Choose a Connection Type" dialogue.

3. Click the dropdown and select, "OpenVPN" and click "Create."

4. The above should bring up the "Edit VPN Connection" dialogue, where you can enter in the necessary information.

[Attila Hammer (hammera)]

When I want creating a new VPN connection and filled all required informations, the save button is grayed.
I using Ubuntu 14.04, GNOME Shell classic session.
Testcase:
1. Launch in terminal the nm-connection-editor command, or press super key in GNOME Shell and type network con part.
2. Click Add button.
3. If installed network-manager-gnome and network-manager-openvpn-gnome packages, select Open VPN and click create button.
4. Fill the proper informations. I give my gatevay, select password possibility, type username and password. After this the save button is graied.

Need reporting this partialy problem with a new bug?

Attila

[Woonjas (woonjas)]

Up to date 14.04.1 and still no sign of this being fixed - come on, it's not like nobody uses VPN

[Romanos Dodopoulos (rwmanos)]

I cannot create a new vpn connection through network-manager. This bug affects:
Ubuntu Gnome 14.10 (full updated atm)
GNOME Shell 3.12.2
network-manager 0.9.8.8-0ubuntu28

Moreover, after installing:
openvpn
network-manager-vpnc
network-manager-vpnc-gnome
network-manager-openvpn
network-manager-openvpn-gnome
network-manager-pptp # was installed
network-manager-pptp-gnome # was installed

Then, using network-manager to add a new VPN connection shows only the options vpnc and OpenVPN but not PPTP.

However, nm-connection-editor works, thanks for the post.

[Bryan (herdliska)]

 run: sudo apt-get install openvpn network-manager-openvpn network-manager-openvpn-gnome. This will prompt for both your password, and a Y/n answer, please provide it with your password, and Y

This should fix it

[brocella (cornelius-h)]

I am using Linux Mint 17 Rebecca and for me even the work around doesn't work. Everything mentioned in this thread is installed, but I can't add new openvpn connections, nor can I edit existing ones, which I imported from another computer. I also cannot establish the VPN connection. Is there a terminal way to do the latter? It is really annoying.

[marco cammarata (marcocamma)]

I confirm that the bug still persist (gnome 3.14 on debian sid).
The workaround works,
marco

[emeric (emerichunter)]

Same issue on Xubuntu
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description: Ubuntu 16.04.2 LTS
Release: 16.04
Codename: xenial

Thanks for the workaround !

E