Portway explains most Connect failures on the screen and suggests a fix that fits the kind of failure. This page collects them.
- Open Portway on the other computer, and turn Connect on there. Connect works only while Portway runs and the switch is on.
- Check that both computers are on the same network, and that the network does not isolate its clients, as guest networks often do.
- If Connect cannot see this computer itself after a few seconds, the network may block multicast, or this Mac may lack the local network permission. Pairing by IP address still works.
- Enter the address under Or by IP address, for example
10.10.10.2. A port can be added, as in 10.10.10.2:47615.
| Cause |
What to do |
| The other computer does not accept connections |
Open Portway there and turn Connect on |
| Its firewall blocks the connection (common on Windows) |
In the first firewall dialog tick both Private and Public, or change the network to Private. On Windows, an elevated PowerShell can add a rule for the port, and the screen shows the command |
| No route to the other computer |
Check that both are on the same network and that the cable or Wi-Fi is connected, or enter the IP address |
| This Mac has no local network permission |
Open System Settings › Privacy & Security › Local Network and turn Portway on. If Portway is not in the list, quit it completely and open it again |
| The other computer is busy |
It already has a link or another pairing request. Try again in a few seconds |
A route can show as no answer, no route or refused. The three differ: a timeout is usually a firewall that drops packets, no route is usually a missing permission or a different network, and refusal means that nothing listens there.
| Message |
Meaning and fix |
| Pairing was declined |
One side pressed Doesn’t match. Compare the codes carefully and try again |
| Timed out comparing the code |
Both sides must press Matches within 2 minutes. Try again |
| This address isn’t the machine you picked |
The computer that answered has another identifier. Try again, or enter the right IP address |
| Another pairing request is in progress |
Finish or cancel the first request, then try again |
| The other machine’s key has changed |
The other computer may have reinstalled Portway, or another machine may be impersonating it. Unpair, pair again and compare the code carefully |
| The other machine is no longer paired with this one |
Unpair on both computers, then pair again |
- If the connection dropped midway, try again. If it repeats, check that both computers run the same version of Portway.
- When the two versions differ, features can be missing, and the page says which ones. Update Portway on both computers.
| Message |
Fix |
| Couldn’t open the port for incoming connections |
Another program uses the port, or it is blocked. Turn Connect off and on again |
| Couldn’t start looking for machines on the network |
Check that the computer is on a network, then turn Connect off and on again |
| Couldn’t save this machine’s key |
Allow Portway to use the Keychain when the system asks, then try again |