LimeWire fails to connect

[gdawilson]

No matter how long I leave LimeWire running for, it never connects to the server(s) and it says "Connecting...".

I'm running Windows Vista Home Premium, I only have the Windows Firewall on my PC, I use wireless (dsl/cable) internet. I've had LimeWire on my PC, in the past, and it's always worked. But all of a sudden it's stopped working. I've tried other P2P programs (FrostWire, Shareaza, and more) and they still never connect! The check-box beside LimeWire is checked (in the Windows Firewall options).

Can someone please help me?

I've tried the other threads that give suggestions, on how to fix these problems, but they're not working for me (of course)!

[birdy]

Please post your answers to these questions (click on link): System details - help us to help you -> Provide these details when you post!!!

And please tell us if there were any fixes from this thread (click on link) that you didn't try: If LW 5 Will Not Connect

[ftdsb]

I am having the same problem...
I am running windows xp
I have checked the firewall
I don't know how much ram but i am sure it is enough
Should be harddisk space
Broadband connection
I have a belkin router
connecting from house
Limewire 5.3.6 Java 1.6.0_11
I think my appartment complex has direct for their service provider.
The Test did worked...
no sharing as far as i know.... i use my wireless laptop sometimes but not for music
i accidentlly upgraded from the old limewire and have not been able to use it since....majorly sucks
i don't see the brick wall but LW never connects.... i see "connecting....."
i have advast for virus protection but had that before
i am in the U.S.A.
I have not changed anything but updating LW

[birdy]

Hi ftdsb,

Have you tried any of the fixes here (click on link)? If LW 5 Will Not Connect

First & easiest thing to try is disabling TLS, DHT & ultrapeer capabilities. Disabling TLS has been solving some problems recently
If that doesn't fix things, update your Java & after that delete LW's preferences folder. Just remember LW must be properly closed first

What's the model of your Belkin? Do you have port forwarding set up or is UPnP enabled?

If you don't like the current version of LW then you could also roll back to an older version. What version were you using before the update?

[ftdsb]

to be honest a lot of that sounds like jibberish to me but will try... i tried finding the older version i had but to no avail... will post back

[gdawilson]

Sorry about the long reply. Here's all of my PC's specifications:

OS: Windows Vista Home Premium

Firewall: Windows (pre-installed) Firewall

RAM: 1 GB

Space Avail.: 30.1 GB's

Connection: DSL/Cable (wireless)

Name: Linksys WRT54G

Where: Home PC

LimeWire version(s): I tried the most recent, non-beta, and the most recent beta and they both didn't work (and yes, I've been using LimeWire 5).

ISP: Bell

Test: The test worked!

P2P: I don't believe so.

Problem: This is a first time problem. This used to never happen. Whenever I used to have LimeWire, it would work perfectly. But now all of a sudden, it isn't. (I've uninstalled LimeWire previously in the past, re-installed and then uninstalled again).

Brick Wall: No I don't see the brick wall. All I see is it constantly saying "Connecting..." and that goes on for hours!

UPnP: It is enabled.

Security Programs: Windows Defender, a-squared Free 4.5 and McAfee VirusScan.

Location: Ontario, Canada

17. Yes I've recently updated my Java (to the most recent version). I also uninstalled Direct3D (which allowed me to use Windows' Screen Savers; I didn't know what the program was. I don't know if that might cause a problem).

[birdy]

Have you tried removing LW rules from your firewall & then adding them again?

I guess you deleted LW's preferences folder? After deleting that folder, did all LW's settings within tools > options revert to default?

Which port is LW currently listening on?

When you updated Java, did you remove any other Java versions installed before installing the update?

AFAIK some Linksys routers aren't reliable in UPnP mode... have you tried port forwarding? The instructions for your router are here: Port Forwarding Limewire on the Linksys WRT54G
First step is to set up a static IP address: PortForward.com - Free Help Setting up Your Router or Firewall

LW's listening port, port in the 'manual port forward' box & port forwarded within router config must all be the same number.

[Lord of the Rings]

Originally Posted by gdawilson

Connection: DSL/Cable (wireless)

Name: Linksys WRT54G

Where: Home PC ... UPnP: It is enabled...

As Birdy suggests, that model of Linksys or range of models do not work at all well in UPnP mode. They have firmware issues which Linksys never completely fixed.

There are alternatives to the firmware but using these have their own risks.

1. www.dd-wrt.com | Unleash Your Router open source version firmware. Support -> Support Database & type in your model to get available versions of dd-wrt 3rd party firmware that you could use according to your specific model.

2. http://www.gnutellaforums.com/connec...tml#post196843 this technique is not recommended to those without some technical way of thinking. This method is somewhat risky if you get it wrong.

* Fixing the firmware will fix up the Linksys reliability however, only choose this avenue if Birdy's suggestions do not work. Changing firmware will cancel out any warranty/linksys support that is left on your router.

[gdawilson]

Originally Posted by birdy

Have you tried removing LW rules from your firewall & then adding them again?

I guess you deleted LW's preferences folder? After deleting that folder, did all LW's settings within tools > options revert to default?

Which port is LW currently listening on?

When you updated Java, did you remove any other Java versions installed before installing the update?

AFAIK some Linksys routers aren't reliable in UPnP mode... have you tried port forwarding? The instructions for your router are here: Port Forwarding Limewire on the Linksys WRT54G
First step is to set up a static IP address: PortForward.com - Free Help Setting up Your Router or Firewall

LW's listening port, port in the 'manual port forward' box & port forwarded within router config must all be the same number.

1) No I never tried removing LimeWire from the MS's Firewall (exception) list. I only unchecked and re-checked the box beside LimeWire.

2) I believe so.

3) I'm not sure what that means, so I don't know how and what to check for.

4) Whenever I've installed a newer version of Java, I've made sure to uninstall the earlier one(s). But I haven't had to uninstall any earlier versions for months!

5) I've never tried port forwarding because I've never heard of it up until this moment.

When I've uninstall LimeWire, I've uninstalled it with a program called Revo Uninstaller (it deletes all of the leftover files, folders, registry keys, etc.). I leave for Cuba this weekend, and I won't return until the following weekend; so I won't be able to reply until I get back.

[birdy]

Sometimes deleting the preferences folder is the only fix needed... if you're sure that you deleted the folder properly (if all LW's settings don't revert to default on restart, then the folder hasn't been deleted properly) then try changing listening port... on the same page where you checked whether UPnP was enabled or Manual Port Forward

In LW tools > options > advanced > super really advanced > firewall. Change LW's listening port to 65000 (or something in the range of 49152 - 65535) > ok.

Also log into your router & double check that UPnP is still enabled within your router's configuration.

If that doesn't help, try port forwarding. Since you can't connect with other p2p apps, maybe the problem lies with your router.