Adobe Creative Cloud: No Internet Connection

Environment

• OS: Windows 10 Pro v1909
• Affected Programs: Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft OneNote
• Application: NordVPN (and other VPN services)

Observation

After connecting with a VPN, you have Internet access with your Web Browser, but:

• Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop will not connect, showing the error: “No Internet Connection” and displays the message: “You are offline. Some experiences may be unavailable”
• Microsoft OneNote displays: “To sync this notebook, sign in to OneNote.”

Resolution

To resolve the connectivity issue while using a VPN, add the Default Gateway of the physical network to the “TAP-NordVPN Windows Adapter”.

1. Disconnect from the VPN
2. Determine the Default Gateway: Open a Command Prompt, and type: ipconfig | findstr Gateway
3. Right-click on the network settings icon in the system tray and select Open Network & Internet settings, or search for and open Network Status by tapping the Windows Key and typing “network”
4. Below “Change your network settings,” select Change adapter options.
5. Right click on the network adapter that has the Device Name “TAP-NordVPN Windows Adapter” and select Properties.
6. Click on “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)”
7. Click the Properties button
8. Click the Advanced… button
9. Within the “Default gateways:” section, click the Add button.
10. Enter the default gateway of the physical network, and click Add.
11. Click OK to apply the setting, and close “Advanced TCP/IP Settings”
12. Click OK to close the  “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” Properties
13. Click Close to close the Ethernet Properties window
14. Connect to the VPN

If adding the Default Gateway does not resolve the connectivity issue then, in the “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” Properties window (Steps 1 through 7):

1. Click “Use the following DNS server addresses
2. Add the following DNS servers IP addresses: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4

Notes

• This tip may also work with other VPN services.
• If Microsoft OneNote occasionally asked for you to sign in to synchronize a notebook, go to File > View Sync Status, and click “Sync All”.

Reference

• Changing default gateway for Microsoft Office and OneDrive
• Changing DNS server addresses for Microsoft Office and OneDrive
• Using Microsoft Office, OneDrive or Adobe Cloud while connected to NordVPN
• Adobe Creative Cloud access through NordVpn