Usually, this comes up when FortiClient hangs at 98% while connecting, but can manifest in other errors as well. It will require a number of reboots.


FortiClient hangs at 98% and fails to connect: Based on http://kb.fortinet.com/kb/documentLink.do?externalID=FD36630

  • Uninstall FortiClient
    • Unregister FortiClient: Launch the FortiClient console, select Compliance, then click “disconnect”. Close that window once complete.
    • Right click FortiClient icon in task tray and select Shutdown FortiClient from the menu.
    • OS Dependent:
      • Windows 7: Start > Search “Programs & Features”
      • Windows 10: Start > Search “Add or Remove Programs’
    • Locate & select FortiClient and click Uninstall. Follow the prompts accordingly.
    • Restart your PC to complete the uninstallation process.
  • Once logged back in, download the following files:
  • Run the first file with admin privileges (right click the file, select Run as Administrator). Restart PC
  • Run the second file with admin privileges & Restart PC
  • Reinstall FortiClient. Our FortiClient 5.4.2 installer can be downloaded from Box: https://leoadaly.box.com/v/FortiClient


Follow FortiClient config recovery for next steps.