HackTheBox and TryHackMe Connection Issues: Causes and Solutions

Connection Problems with HackTheBox and TryHackMe

Connection problems with HackTheBox and TryHackMe really do occur for many users, especially when working with virtual machines. These difficulties are widespread and are related to both the technical aspects of VPN setup and network limitations, making the situation normal for beginners in information security.

• Basic Connection Problems
• Causes of Packet Loss and Instability
• Connection with Sanctions and Network Restrictions
• Solutions for Virtual Machines
• Official Support Resources

Basic Connection Problems

Many users face similar difficulties when working with both platforms. According to research, complaints about connection issues through OpenVPN constantly appear on Reddit and HackTheBox forums, especially from regions with limited access to servers.

On TryHackMe, extremely slow VPN connection speeds are often noted, making work with machines practically impossible. One user described the situation: “Everything looks properly configured, but connecting to THM machines is painfully slow to the point of complete uselessness” [source].

For HackTheBox, connection errors with VPN are characteristic, especially when using a virtual machine. Users report strange errors and difficulties establishing connections, which are sometimes resolved through workarounds [source].

Causes of Packet Loss and Instability

Packet loss (200-400ms with periodic packet loss) and unstable performance in your case are not individual configuration issues. The main causes include:

Virtual Machine Issues:

• When VPN runs on the host machine and the virtual machine connects through it, routing conflicts occur
• This dual connection often leads to network traffic problems and packet loss
• As noted in the official TryHackMe documentation: “This is often caused by incorrect settings or using a VM with VPN on the host machine” [source]

OpenVPN Configuration:

• Encryption issues (for example, not using modern algorithms)
• Compression settings may interfere with encryption
• Lack of proper cipher configuration in modern OpenVPN versions

Network Conflicts:

• Conflict between VPN network (10.10.X.X) and local network
• DNS resolution issues when working in a virtualized environment

Connection with Sanctions and Network Restrictions

While direct mention of sanctions is absent in search results, many users from affected regions report additional difficulties:

Geographical Restrictions:

• TryHackMe and HackTheBox servers are often located in regions that may have restricted access
• This leads to increased latency and packet loss when attempting connections
• Users note that problems may only occur in certain countries or regions

Network Overloads:

• Increased traffic through proxy servers and VPNs to bypass restrictions
• Additional delays due to routing through intermediate nodes

Blockages and Filtering:

• Some internet service providers may block traffic related to these platforms
• Corporate and university networks often restrict access to VPN traffic

Solutions for Virtual Machines

To solve problems with virtual machines, there are several proven approaches:

Proper VPN Setup in Virtualization:

• Install VPN directly on the virtual machine, not on the host
• Avoid dual connection through VPN
• Use bridged mode for the virtual machine’s network adapter

Using Official Tools:

• TryHackMe provides a special script for diagnosing OpenVPN issues
• This script automatically checks configuration and identifies common problems

Alternative Approaches:

• Using TryHackMe Attackbox - a cloud platform that doesn’t require local setup
• Manually configuring DNS servers for better name resolution
• Disabling Windows Firewall or other firewalls during VPN setup

# Example of checking connection to target machine
ping -c3 10.10.21.145
# Checking routing
ip route show
# Checking network interfaces
ip addr show

Official Support Resources

Both platforms offer official resources for solving connection issues:

TryHackMe:

• OpenVPN troubleshooting help center
• Networks and security article
• Windows guide

HackTheBox:

• Community forums with VPN problem discussions
• Official guides for setting up connections
• GitHub repositories with solutions for common issues

Conclusion

Connection problems with HackTheBox and TryHackMe are a common occurrence, especially among beginners working in virtualized environments. Your difficulties are not unique and are not exclusively related to configuration errors.

Key Takeaways:

1. VPN connection problems are widespread and encountered by numerous users
2. Packet loss and instability are often related to the specifics of virtual machine operation
3. Geographical restrictions and network blockages can exacerbate the situation
4. There are proven solutions and official tools for diagnosing problems

Recommendations:

• Start by using TryHackMe’s official diagnostic tools
• Ensure VPN is configured directly on the virtual machine
• Try using TryHackMe Attackbox as an alternative to local installation
• Reach out to the platform communities for specific help in your region

These platforms understand the connection complexities and are actively working to improve the user experience, so most problems have solutions described in their documentation and forums.