MSFS2020 Newbie - Failed Connection

[frankturley]

I have just installed MSFS2020 on my flying pc. I have Plan-G on the same machine, it connects to the sim and produces a database.
I also have Plan-G on a second machine, I copy the data files to it to use while flying, so I can navigate on a second monitor.
I have connected successfully while flying using FSX, FSX Steam Edition and P3d V4.
I have copied my SimConnect.xml file to Users/[Me]/AppData/Local/Packages/MicrosoftFlightSimulator_[no.]/LocalCache
The SimConnect.xml file is unchanged from that used for the other sims.
When I try to connect Plan-G to MSFS2020, the connection fails, and Plan-G stops.
I am attaching a log.
What do I need to fix?

[tim arnot]

You may need to add a rule to the firewall in the MSFS PC, to allow Plan-G through.

Try turning the firewall off, then if it connects, you'll need to add the rule. Allow the same port number(s) you specified in your configuration.

[frankturley]

If I can connect without a problem with the other 3 sims, surely the firewall is already ok? Or is there something odd about FS2020?

[tim arnot]

I don't know about 'odd', but it behaves differently.

[frankturley]

Microsoft FSX, FSX-SE, P3d and Microsoft Flight Simulator are all ticked in the list of allowed apps on the MSFS2020 PC.

[tim arnot]

and Plan-G....?

[frankturley]

Good point, Plan-G was not in the list.

I added it, but I still got the failed connection and Plan-G exit.

Log attached.

[tim arnot]

Did you set all ports, or a specific port? Did you try turning the firewall off?

Every timeout failure to connect in my experience has been due to either a mismatch between ip/port numbers in the .xml an Plan-G, blocking at the firewall, or blocking by antivirus.

One final thing: what was MSFS doing when you tried to connect? Was it in the flight, or in the menus?

[frankturley]

I have now got a connection, I turned the Windows Defender Private Firewall off, and it worked, sorry to have troubled you.

I now need to study how to set firewall rules!

Thanks for your help.

[frankturley]

I'm afraid I'm now struggling with configuring Windows Defender Firewall. I have created an allowed app named Plan-G, and it applies to Plan-G.exe on the flying PC. I then go to Advanced Settings, select Outbound Rules, select Plan-G, then properties, I've selected TCP as the protocol, entered 4506 as the specific port, and exited.

However, if I switch the WD Firewall on again, I can't connect.

What needs fixing?

[frankturley]

OK I found your instructions to set up the port, followed them carefully, I can now connect with the firewall turned on. Hooray!

[tim arnot]

 :great: