Zapret Troubleshooting
Step-by-step solutions for common problems: the bypass stopped working, Discord will not connect, YouTube does not load, an antivirus deleted files, the service failed to install.
All problems
Zapret Not Working: Step-by-Step Diagnosis
Windows
The bypass stopped working or never started: check Secure DNS, run diagnostics via service.bat, reset Windows network settings and find a working strategy.
Symptoms
- Discord, YouTube or other resources do not open after starting a strategy
- A strategy used to work but suddenly stopped
Quick fixes
- Enable Secure DNS. In Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Security → "Use secure DNS", and pick a provider other than the default one. On Windows 11, Secure DNS can also be enabled in the network adapter settings.
- Run diagnostics. Open service.bat → Run Diagnostics. The utility checks typical failure causes (antivirus, OneDrive, conflicting services). At the end, agree to clear the Discord cache (press Y).
Verification: After starting a strategy manually, a winws.exe console window with a padlock icon appears on the taskbar, and youtube.com and discord.com load reliably in all browsers.
Zapret Discord Fix: Discord Not Connecting
WindowsDiscord
Discord does not open or voice chat does not connect: clearing the Discord cache, checking the browser version, replacing the UDP fake and picking a strategy.
Symptoms
- The Discord app hangs on the connecting screen or "Checking for updates"
- discord.com does not open
Quick fixes
- Clear the Discord cache. service.bat → Run Diagnostics → at the end, agree to clear the Discord cache. Newer versions clear the cache of Discord, Discord PTB, Canary and Development. Restart Discord afterwards.
- Try Discord in the browser. Open https://discord.com/app. If the web version works, the problem is the app cache, not the bypass — you can keep using the browser version.
Verification: The Discord app gets past the connecting screen, servers load, and voice channels connect without getting stuck on "RTC Connecting".
YouTube Not Opening After Starting Zapret
WindowsYouTube
YouTube does not load or videos do not play: Secure DNS, ad-blocker conflicts, and testing the ALT and FAKE TLS AUTO strategies.
Symptoms
- youtube.com does not open in the browser
- The site opens but videos buffer forever
Quick fixes
- Enable Secure DNS. Chrome: "Use secure DNS" → choose a non-default provider. Firefox: "DNS over HTTPS" → "Custom" → for example https://dns.google/dns-query (Cloudflare may be blocked).
- Disable the ad blocker. Temporarily disable AdBlock/uBlock and reload the page. YouTube is known to limit playback when ad blockers are active.
Verification: youtube.com opens and videos start playing without endless buffering.
Antivirus Blocks WinDivert: a False Positive
Windows
Antivirus flags WinDivert as RiskTool and deletes files: how to add the Zapret folder to exclusions and why it is safe.
Symptoms
- The antivirus reports a Not-a-virus:RiskTool.Multi.WinDivert threat
- WinDivert.dll / WinDivert64.sys disappear from the bin folder
Quick fixes
- Add the folder to exclusions. Open your antivirus settings → Exclusions → add the folder where zapret is extracted (for example, C:\zapret). Restore the deleted files from quarantine or extract the archive again.
- Disable PUA detection (alternative). If you are not comfortable managing exclusions, disable potentially-unwanted-application detection. For example, in Kaspersky uncheck "Detect legal software that criminals often use to cause harm".
Verification: general.bat starts, winws.exe opens successfully as a console window on the taskbar, and the antivirus no longer blocks the program.
Zapret Service Installation Failed (Install Service)
Windows
Install Service in service.bat fails or the service does not start: administrator rights, a path without Cyrillic characters, leftover old services.
Symptoms
- service.bat → Install Service prints an error
- The zapret service appears in services.msc but does not start
Quick fixes
- Run as administrator. Close the window, right-click service.bat → "Run as administrator". Installing Windows services requires elevated privileges.
- Check the folder path. The path must not contain Cyrillic or special characters. Correct: C:\zapret. Wrong: C:\Users\Ivan\Downloads\zapret (with non-ASCII folders). Move the folder and reinstall the service if needed.
Verification: service.bat → Check Status shows the active strategy on autostart and a running WinDivert; after a reboot the bypass works without a manual start.
If nothing works
When no strategy works at all, reset the Windows network stack before trying anything else. Open an administrator command prompt and run these commands in order, then restart the computer:
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset all
netsh winhttp reset proxy
ipconfig /flushdnsAfter restarting, run service.bat → Run Tests → Standard tests → All configs and try the strategies again. If the problem persists, consider a clean reinstall — remove the service, delete the folder, and download the latest release.
Quick answers
None of the strategies work. What should I do?
Open a command prompt as administrator and run: netsh winsock reset, netsh int ip reset all, netsh winhttp reset proxy, ipconfig /flushdns. Restart the computer, then test all strategies again via service.bat → Run Tests.
A game or app stopped working while Zapret is running. Why?
Open service.bat and make sure Game Filter is disabled and IPSet Filter is set to none. Game Filter and the ipset any mode intercept traffic from other programs and are meant primarily for testing, not for everyday use.