Body
Overview
This guide assists faculty and staff experiencing issues with the VPN client failing to open on Columbia College-issued work devices. Follow the steps below to uninstall and reinstall the client to resolve potential file corruption.
Applies to: Faculty Staff
Diagnosis
Troubleshooting
Symptoms
●The VPN client does not launch or open when clicked from the Start menu or system tray.
●The application crashes silently upon launch or displays a startup error.
Possible Causes
●Corrupted local application files or profile configuration.
●Interrupted software update or conflicting background service.
Affected Systems / Services
●Cisco Secure Client / Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client
●Windows 10 / Windows 11 Work Devices
⚠ Important
Make sure to restart your computer immediately after uninstalling the VPN software. Skipping the restart step may prevent the new installation from completing successfully.
Resolution
How to Fix
1 Open Add or Remove Programs
Access the Windows installed applications list from the taskbar search.
●In the Search Windows box in the taskbar, type "Add or remove programs" and click the corresponding result that appears.
2 Locate and Uninstall the Cisco VPN Client
Find the corrupted VPN application and remove it from your device.
●Highlight Cisco Secure Client (formerly AnyConnect). You may need to search the list by typing "Cisco".
●Click Uninstall and follow any on-screen prompts to complete removal.
3 Restart Your Computer
A complete system restart clears any cached registry keys or residual services.
●Click the Start menu > Power > Restart before attempting reinstallation.
4 Reinstall the Cisco VPN Client
Download and install a fresh copy of the VPN client software.
●Refer to this Knowledge Base Article: How to Install the Cisco VPN Client for step-by-step software installation instructions.
5 Escalation / Gathering Details
If the client still does not open after reinstalling, prepare details before requesting assistance.
●Note the exact error message or screenshot what happens when launching the client.
●Submit an Employee General Request Ticket and describe the uninstall/reinstall steps already attempted.
Support & Assistance
Get Help
If the steps above did not resolve your issue, please reach out for additional support: