Fix: Windows Defender Firewall Rule is Blocking Your Connection

Windows Defender Firewall is designed to protect your computer from all kinds of malware, spyware, virus, and online security threats. At times due to some security reasons, it might block certain programs from accessing the internet. And this is what most of the users are complaining about.

How to fix the “Windows Defender Firewall Rule is Blocking Your Connection” error?

Defender Error

A lot of Windows users reported lately that they encountered the “Windows Defender Firewall Rule is Blocking your Connection” error and keeping them from browsing the internet. It basically triggers an error message that states, “Contact your network administrator the Windows Defender Firewall rule HSS DNS leak is blocking your internet connection.” While considering internet browsing as one of the essential aspects of our digital life, we have some fixes that will possibly resolve the said error issue. Have a look:

FIX 1: Uncheck the HSS DNS leak rule’s firewall permission:

The first solution that will possibly resolve the “Windows Defender Firewall Rule is Blocking Your Connection” issue is unchecking the HSS DNS leak rule’s firewall permission. It has worked for quite a lot of users, and thus we recommend you to try the same. For doing so, follow the steps given below:

Firstly, go to the desktop search bar, type Firewall, and launch the option Windows Defender Firewall from the given search results.
Now click on the Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall link given at the left-pane menu.
On the next screen, click on the Change settings tab and further untick the Private and Public check boxes for the option HSS DSS leak rule.
Lastly, click on OK and check whether you are able to use the internet connection or not.

FIX 2: Turn off Windows Defender Firewall:

Another thing you can do is turn off the Windows Defender Firewall. For doing so, follow the steps given below:

Firstly, go to the desktop search bar, type Firewall, and launch the option Windows Defender Firewall from the given search results.
Now click on the Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off link from the left-pane menu, and it will open the WDF options for you.
Hereunder Private and Public Network settings, click over the radio button for the option Turn off Windows Defender Firewall.
Lastly, click on OK and check whether the said issue got resolved or if it persists.

FIX 3: Reinstall Hotspot Shield:

As per a lot of suffered users, reinstalling the Hotspot Shield has helped them in resolving the “Windows Defender Firewall Rule is Blocking Your Connection” issue. You can also try the same form the steps given below:

Firstly, launch the RUN dialogue box by pressing Windows + R altogether.
Now inside the empty text space, type appwiz.cpl and then click on OK. It will launch the Windows Uninstaller.
Now from the list of applications, locate Hotspot Shield VPN software, right-click over it and then select Uninstall. If prompted, click on Yes to further confirm your action.
Once the software is successfully uninstalled, restart your computer.
Now, at last, navigate to the official page of Hotspot Shield VPN software and install the latest version systematically again.

FIX 4: Installed an improved and trusted antivirus:

As all of the above discussion suggest that the main reason behind the “Windows Defender Firewall Rule is Blocking Your Connection” issue is the Windows Defender Firewall itself. Hence one of the best solutions here is to use a trusted third-party antivirus instead of using the said utility.

Once you install a third-party antivirus, the Windows Defender Firewall will deactivate by default, and you will no longer have to suffer from a blocked connection.