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Windows App Keeps Crashing or Disappearing from System Tray

If the ZeroTier Windows application frequently crashes, disappears from the system tray, or becomes unresponsive, follow these troubleshooting steps to diagnose and resolve the issue.

Use Command Line Interface for Testing​

The most effective way to troubleshoot Windows application issues is to test ZeroTier's functionality using the command line interface (CLI), which provides direct access to the ZeroTier service without relying on the GUI application.

Step 1: Open Administrator Command Prompt​

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog
  2. Type cmd and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to run as administrator
  3. Alternatively, search for "Command Prompt" in the Start menu, right-click, and select "Run as administrator"

Step 2: Test ZeroTier CLI Commands​

Run these commands to verify ZeroTier service functionality:

zerotier-cli status

This should display the ZeroTier service status and your node ID.

zerotier-cli listnetworks

This shows all networks your device is joined to and their connection status.

Step 3: Join/Leave Networks via CLI​

If the GUI is unresponsive, you can manage networks directly:

zerotier-cli join NETWORK_ID
zerotier-cli leave NETWORK_ID

Replace NETWORK_ID with your actual 16-character network identifier.

Alternative: PowerShell Administration​

You can also use PowerShell for administration:

  1. Press Windows + X and select "PowerShell (Admin)" or "Terminal (Admin)"
  2. Run the same zerotier-cli commands as above

Common Solutions​

Restart ZeroTier Service​

If CLI commands fail, restart the ZeroTier service:

net stop ZeroTierOneService
net start ZeroTierOneService

Check Service Status​

Verify the ZeroTier service is running:

sc query ZeroTierOneService

The service should show as "RUNNING" in the output.

Reinstall ZeroTier​

If the service fails to start or CLI commands don't work:

  1. Download the latest ZeroTier installer from zerotier.com/download
  2. Run the installer as administrator
  3. Choose "Repair" or uninstall and reinstall completely

When to Use CLI vs GUI​

Use CLI when:

  • GUI application crashes frequently
  • System tray icon disappears
  • GUI becomes unresponsive
  • Automating ZeroTier management
  • Troubleshooting connectivity issues

GUI advantages:

  • Visual network status indicators
  • Easy network management
  • System tray convenience
  • User-friendly interface

Additional Troubleshooting​

Check Windows Event Logs​

  1. Open Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc)
  2. Navigate to Windows Logs > Application
  3. Look for ZeroTier-related error entries
  4. Check the details for specific error codes or messages

Firewall and Antivirus​

Ensure your firewall and antivirus software are not blocking ZeroTier:

  • Add ZeroTier to Windows Defender exceptions
  • Configure third-party antivirus to allow ZeroTier processes
  • Check Windows Firewall for blocked connections

Update Windows​

Ensure Windows is up to date, as older versions may have compatibility issues:

  1. Open Settings > Update & Security
  2. Click "Check for updates"
  3. Install any available updates and restart

If Issues Persist​

If problems continue after trying these steps:

  1. Use the CLI interface for network management as a permanent workaround
  2. Contact support for assistance with similar issues
  3. Contact ZeroTier support with specific error messages and system information

The CLI interface provides full functionality for managing ZeroTier networks, making it an excellent alternative when GUI issues occur.