Network Connectivity
When activating ZeeDrive, or when ZeeDrive starts up automatically after activation, or during ZeeDrive operation, network issues may cause the current operation to fail or lead to failed file uploads and empty folders. These error messages are the most common indicators of network connectivity issues:
The request was aborted: the operation has timed out or simply, The operation has timed out
The remote server returned an error: (401) Unauthorized
The remote server returned an error: (403) Forbidden
The remote server returned an error: (407) Proxy Authentication Required
The remote server returned an error: (503) Server Unavailable
A connection attempt failed because the connected party did not properly respond
The input data is not a complete block
An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host
No connection could be made because the target machine actively refused it
The underlying connection was closed: The connection was closed unexpectedly
The remote certificate is invalid according to the validation procedure
Or during ZeeDrive start-up, the busy indicator continues to spin but ZeeDrive never completes starting up
The error messages may appear in the ZeeDrive window, or, they may show in the ZeeDrive log file.
The errors can be caused by a proxy, firewall, antivirus, intrusion prevention, VPN, DNS or ISP blocking interfering with access to the ZeeDrive activation service.
Geo-Block
In the case of geolocation blocking ensure access is permitted for Ireland and Netherlands, which is where the ZeeDrive activation service is hosted in Microsoft Azure.
Proxy Or Firewall
For a proxy or firewall, try adding an exception for the HTTPS URL (Port 443) that the ZeeDrive client communicates to the Activation Service over:
https://activation.zeedrive.net/
The above URL is used by ZeeDrive during activation, start-up and operation to retrieve subscription configuration information. If ZeeDrive cannot access that URL then it will lead to a failed start-up or failed operation.
If you experience network connectivity errors when accessing ZeeDrive mapped network drives (leading to empty folders or failed uploads) try adding these URLs as exceptions on your firewall and proxy. These are the URLs that Zee Drive communicates with Microsoft 365, Entra ID and SharePoint Online over. The URLs are all HTTPS (Port 443):
https://login.microsoftonline.com
https://officeapps.live.com
https://odc.officeapps.live.com
https://*.sharepoint.com
In the case of the SharePoint URL, the * can be replaced with your SharePoint tenant name e.g.
https://contoso.sharepoint.com and https://contoso-my.sharepoint.com
Firewall IPS (Intrusion Prevention System)
Check the rules on your firewall IPS as they may be blocking ZeeDrive from communicating over the network.
For example, if you visit the activation service URL https://activation.zeedrive.net/ in your browser, does your IPS pop-up an alert stating that the URL is blocked?
Anti-Virus
For an anti-virus, try adding an exception for the ZeeDrive.exe executable in the folder:
c:\Program Files\Thinkscape Zee Drive\[version number]\
IPv6
Try disabling IPv6 in the network adapter properties if you receive the errors The operation has timed out or An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host.
Router DNS Cache
Your router may have an out of date or faulty DNS cache. Try restarting your router.
DNS Server Issue
Your DNS server may not be resolving domains to their correct IP addresses. Try updating your WiFi adapter to use a public DNS such as Google's on 8.8.8.8.
Slow Wi-Fi Connection
A Wi-Fi connection that takes time to establish when the computer starts up may cause Zee Drive to timeout when starting up. If this occurs, open ZeeDrive from the system tray by clicking the blue Z icon then click the blue link on the ZeeDrive subscriptions status screen to retry the startup after the Wi-Fi connection has been fully established.
TLS 1.2 Is Not Configured
SharePoint Online supports only TLS 1.2 - if the local computer is not configured for TLS 1.2 then SharePoint Online will terminate connections with the error An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host.
Faulty Card Reader
A faulty memory card reader is attached to the computer. Remove the card reader.
Web Block
You may have a web site link blocking service like WatchGuard's WebBlocker. Add the web links listed at Proxy Or Firewall as exceptions to your web blocking service.
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