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Using FortiClient VPN

Creation date: 5/21/2026 3:43 PM    Updated: 7/27/2026 8:48 AM   connect from home forti client forticlient remote access ssl vpn vpn vpn not connecting vpn not working work from home working remotely
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Argus IT Help Desk · VPN Access
FortiClient VPN — How to Connect
Already installed on your laptop. Right-click, connect, approve on your phone.
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FortiClient VPN gives you secure remote access to Argus internal resources (mapped drives, line-of-business applications, internal websites) from outside the corporate network. Use it when you're working from home, travelling, or anywhere else off-site. It's already installed and configured on all Argus-issued laptops that need it — you don't need to set it up, just open it and connect.
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DO NOT use FortiClient VPN while you are on-site at an Argus property
The VPN connects you into the Argus network from outside. On-property you're already on that network, so the connection will fail — and that's expected. Just open your applications normally. If you can't access something while on-property, that's not a VPN issue — submit a ticket describing what you're trying to reach.
📋  Before you connect
  • Your Argus-issued laptop — FortiClient is pre-installed. Not on your laptop? Submit a ticket; don't install it yourself.
  • Your Argus email address and password — the same ones you sign in to your computer with.
  • Microsoft Authenticator on your phone, set up and working — VPN requires MFA approval.
  • An internet connection (home Wi-Fi, hotspot, hotel Wi-Fi…).
🔍  Step 1: Find FortiClient in the system tray
FortiClient runs in the background. Look for its icon (a blue shield) in the system tray at the bottom-right of your screen, near the clock.
FortiClient shield icon in the system tray
Don't see it? Click the ^ arrow next to the tray to reveal hidden icons. Still nothing — click Start and type FortiClient to launch it.
🔐  Step 2: Connect — two ways
Both work equally well; pick whichever you prefer.
Option A — quick connect from the tray (fastest)
1
Right-click the FortiClient shield icon in the system tray.
2
Click Connect to "[Site] SSL VPN" (the name is specific to your site).
Right-click tray menu with Connect option
Option B — through the FortiClient console
1
Left-click (or double-click) the shield icon — or right-click and choose Open FortiClient Console.
2
In the left-side menu click Remote Access (it may already be selected).
3
Your site's VPN is listed (e.g. [Site] SSL VPN) — click Connect.
FortiClient console Remote Access screen
📱  Step 3: Approve the MFA request on your phone
Whichever option you used, the next part is the same: after a few seconds Microsoft Authenticator shows a sign-in approval request — tap Approve.
💡 No prompt within 30 seconds? Check your phone has internet access, then open Authenticator manually — pending approvals are often visible inside the app even when no notification appeared.
✅  Step 4: Verify you're connected
FortiClient connects within a few seconds of approval. Open the console (left-click the tray icon) — the VPN entry now shows:
  • A green Connected indicator
  • Your assigned IP address (typically starting 10.x.x.x)
  • A duration timer counting up
  • A Disconnect button instead of Connect
You can now reach internal Argus resources — mapped drives, internal websites, OPERA Cloud, internal SharePoint sites.
🔒  How to disconnect
Right-click the tray icon → Disconnect "[Site] SSL VPN". Or open the console and click Disconnect.
Closing your laptop or signing out of Windows also ends the session — but explicitly disconnecting when you're done is good practice.
🔧  Common problems
"Cannot connect to remote gateway" / "Server not responding"
Usually your internet. Try loading google.com. Browser works but FortiClient doesn't? The network you're on (hotel, coffee shop) may block VPN traffic — test with a phone hotspot. Browser also fails? Fix the internet first.
"Authentication failed" / "Invalid credentials"
Verify your password at www.outlook.com with the same email and password. Outlook works → VPN-specific; submit a ticket. Outlook fails → your password may have expired; see Outlook Keeps Prompting for Password. Remember: 3 wrong attempts locks your account for 5 minutes — wait it out before retrying.
"Connected but can't reach internal resources"
Confirm the green Connected indicator and an IP address, then test a mapped drive, the OPERA Cloud login page, and a known internal site. Only ONE fails → that resource is the problem, not VPN. NOTHING works → disconnect, reconnect, test again.
"No MFA prompt arrives on my phone"
Check the phone has internet, then open Authenticator manually to look for pending approvals. Recently changed phones? See Setting Up Microsoft Authenticator on a New Phone — your setup may need re-registering.
"FortiClient is missing from my laptop"
Don't download or install it yourself — submit a ticket and we'll handle it.
🆘  When to submit a ticket — and what to include
  • You've worked through the steps and VPN still won't connect.
  • VPN connects but a specific internal resource isn't accessible.
  • FortiClient is missing from your laptop.
  • An error not covered above.
  • You need VPN on a new laptop that hasn't been configured.
Include: your laptop's asset tag · your Argus email · where you're connecting from (home, hotel, coffee shop — not an Argus property) · the error message (screenshot ideal) · did it ever work from this location, and what changed? · what you've tried · can you sign in to www.outlook.com from the same connection?
ArgusIT KB# 40001 · Tags: vpn · remote access · ssl vpn · forticlient · work from home · vpn not connecting
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