Updated on April 2, 2024 in How to, Troubleshooting

Zoho Assist Problems Troubleshooting

Helga York Article author

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Zoho Assist Problems Troubleshooting

Zoho Assist is a cloud-based remote access software that enables users to establish secure connections during remote desktop sessions.
Excellent features that make it a strong competitor in its industry are Zoho’s security settings. These security protocols ensure cross-platform (and cross-device) access is secure—encompassing all major operating systems (Windows, Linux, Chrome OS, Mac, iOS, and Android.)

End-to-end SSL and AES 256-bit encryption are applied when transmitting data, and Zoho makes use of multi-factor authentication, idle-session timeout, role-based permissions, remote screen blanking, consent-based access, custom reporting, session recording, and session auditing. Compare Zoho Assist vs. HelpWire or Zoho Assist vs. TeamViewer and find out their pros and cons.

Unfortunately, nothing is perfect, and there are a few common issues that Zoho Assist users encounter, like “Zoho Assist run as service” not working or Zoho Assist black screen appears.

This article describes most of those issues, as well as provides solutions on how to resolve them. Keep reading to learn more.

One of the most common issues is when Zoho Assist can’t connect to servers. This issue is pontificated by a pop-up message.

Now, let us discuss how to help resolve this Zoho Assist internet connection error by following the step-by-step guide below.

Step 1: Ensure a working internet connection is running on both computers participating in the remote session (AKA, the Server and the Client).

Step 2: Once a connection is confirmed, restart the network.

Step 3: Shut the device off.

Step 4: Disconnect the router or modem (or both) and wait for thirty seconds before plugging them back in.

Step 5: Reconnect the router and modem one-by-one (not simultaneously) and wait for their loading/rebooting process to finish.

Step 6: If the option is available, log into your ISP terminal and turn on the device.

If you use Avast antivirus and it blocks Zoho Assist – follow the instructions below.

Double-click on the antivirus icon to open the UI (user interface).

Note: this icon is located in the system tray on the right-hand side of the task bar, or users can search for it using the Start menu.

Note 2: Users can also find the Exceptions or Exclusions setting in multiple spots (pending on the antivirus software the user is running.) However, finding the Exceptions or Exclusions setting is often simple and easy. Below we’ve provided a quick navigation string as an example.

Avast: Home >> Settings >> General >> Exclusions

Configuring one’s firewall to allow Zoho Assist to work requires a few steps and nuances, but we will describe these steps in detail below.

To begin solving this Zoho Assist not running problem, there are a few specific settings that users must check:

• Go to the firewall and proxy settings to exclude Domains;
• While also in the firewall settings, permit/allow specific Ports;
• Within the firewall, include executable files or exclude directories.

Navigate to the firewall and proxy settings and exclude Web Socket and TCP protocols for the domains listed below:

• *.zoho.com
• *.zoho.eu
• *.zoho.in
• *.zoho.com.au
• *.zoho.com.cn
• *.zohoassist.com
• *.zohoassist.com.cn

This allows Zoho Assist to map all the IP addresses within the global Gateway network into a single domain name: gateway.zohoassist.com.

Fixing this domain name issue allows users to effortlessly automate IP whitelisting, as well as regularly maintain up-to-date database firewall rules.

Step 1: From the search bar, open Windows Firewall.

Step 2: Click on Advanced settings.

Note: Users need to individually configure new rules under the Inbound Rules and Outbound Rules to allow Ports.

Step 3: From the right-hand pane, hit New Rule.

Step 4: Click Port > Next.

Step 5: In Specific remote ports field, type 80;443.

Step 6: Hit Allow the connection.

Step 7: Enable all checkboxes that apply.

Step 8: Provide a name for the newly created rule.

Step 9: Click Finish.

For those receiving Windows security messages explaining that Zoho Assist is being blocked, follow the steps below to solve this Zoho Assist access denied issue.

Step 1: From the search bar, open Windows security.

Step 2: Click the Firewall & network protection option.

Step 3: Hit the Allow an app through the firewall.

Step 4: Hit the button labeled: Change settings.

Step 5: Look for the “Zoho Assist” app and select it.

Step 6: Hit Okay.

In some ways, this is a one-step process, only requiring users to navigate to their antivirus and firewall settings to permit the Executable files listed below.

• ZA_Upgrader
• agent.exe
• ZMAgent.exe
• ZohoUR Service.exe
• ZohoMeeting.exe
• ZohoTray.exe
• ZohoURS.exe

Navigate to the appropriate window where you can configure firewall directories. Once there, exclude the Directories listed below.

• 32 bit OS – %localappdata%/zohomeeting/, %programfiles%/ZohoMeeting
• 64 bit OS – %localappdata%/zohomeeting/, %programfiles(x86)%/ZohoMeeting

What to do when Zoho Assist still can’t connect to servers: review reachability issues to fix Zoho Assist’s problem with running

Some Zoho Assist issues have to do with reachability blockages. Follow the steps below to locate any unreachable gateways:

Step 1: Hit the Ctrl + Shift + I command to open Inspect.
Step 2: Open the Network tab, and navigate to the WS section.
Step 3: Hit w_socket to see the gateway (under the Headers tab > beside the row reading: Host).
See example below.
Step 4: Implement the unreachable gateway within Inspect (located in the highlighted section).
Step 5: Hit Win+R.
Step 6: Type “powershell” into the Open field to run PowerShell (see below).
Step 7: Run the below command.

test-netconnection euro1.zohoassist.com -port 443

• If TcpTestSucceeded : true, then there is no issue in reaching our server.
• If TcpTestSucceeded : False, then there is an issue in reaching our server.

To ensure a device is configured properly in its proxy environment, follow the steps below to locate or set proxy settings.

Via the internet options:

Step 1: Choose Run from the Start menu.

Step 2: Type inetcpl.cpl to open internet options.

Step 3: Navigate to the Connection tab.

Step 4: Choose LAN settings.

A proxy can be configured in 3 ways:

Automatically detected settings.

Automated configuration script – configuration script is mentioned (PAC file).

Use a Proxy server – The IP address and port are specified directly using the internet options.

Note: If all looks right on the machine, but getting Zoho Assist to connect with the server is still an issue, check if Zoho is down now.

Zoho Assist is a trusted cloud-based remote support software, but its users consistently encounter numerous problems. Given this, it has become necessary to look for a Zoho Assist alternative.

If you’re one of those people, a simple and free remote support software like HelpWire is one of your best options to avoid Zoho Assist issues.

Helpwire has no restrictions and is much simpler to use than Zoho Assist. You can provide remote support to your clients without completing an extensive setup process or tinkering with the settings.

Main features:

• Cross-platform support;
• Ability to connect to multiple workstations simultaneously;
• Multi-monitor support;
• Fast connect;
• Client management;
• Built-in support chat.

HelpWire

Tired of Zoho Assist glitches? Dive into a hassle-free remote experience with HelpWire.

Free download

Price - Free

Supported systems - Windows, macOS, Linux

When using Assist Remote Support via a standard user account, the application starts with fewer privileges. Any admin-level operations (like accessing applications with right-click and “Run as administrator” or accessing secure desktops, such as Windows UAC) executed during the session will result in screen freezes.

Performing such elevated operations requires running Zoho Assist in service mode.

To resolve the Zoho Assist domain admin not working issue, users acquire local admin credentials provided by the technician (via Assist UAC):

Technicians must select the pre-defined local admin names from the drop-down box or type local administrator credentials into the Assist UAC using the format below:

<domain>\username
<machine_name>\username
username@domain

When accurate credentials are entered, they’re validated with the Windows authentication mechanism.

Note: End-users must approve to proceed further by choosing “Yes” in the pop-up window.

Reason 1: The remote side of the network is slow, only appearing when the respective cmd reaches the remote machine.

Reason 2: If the desktop has any priority windows or dialogs, Assist UAC could be hidden. Reveal it by minimizing unnecessary app windows and dialog boxes.

Reason 3: If sessions are executed on a desktop with multiple monitors, the Assist UAC may be on one of the secondary monitors. Switch monitors in the viewer section to test this theory.

Zoho Assist couldn't enable Run as survice

Step 1: The dialog box shown above means that the username or password is incorrect. Login isn’t possible with provided user credentials.

Step 2: Try logging in with existing (pre-defined) local admin accounts from the username dropdown box.

Please note: If issues persist, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Open cmd prompt by Start > run > cmd.

Step 2: Enter the following cmd “runas /user:domain\username notepad.exe”.

(I.e, If a user is named “Roger Andrews” the command would look like:

“runas /user:mydomain\Roger Andrews notepad.exe” (without quotes).

The terminal screen should then display a password prompt. Once users type the password, a notepad instance runs on the user’s desktop.

Try using the same credentials on the Assist UAC.

One reason is that after the Azure machines were joined, the domain administrator accounts were not pushed as local admins. This issue causes Assist UAC to send the “logon unsuccessful” error message.

Method 1: The Command Line Method on remote machines (Singular):

Step 1: Use the AZURE AD of the desired local administrator to log on to the PC (a GUID is loaded into the computer).

Step 2: As an administrator, open a command line utility instance on the remote machine.

Step 3: Enter the below command to add users into the machine’s Local Admin group. For example, If the user’s name was “Daniel Rogers” the command would be:

net localgroup administrators MyAzureAD\Daniel Rogers /add

Method 2: By Azure refresh policy (Bulk):

Step 1: Restart the machine.

Step 2: Join a new Assist session.

Step 3: Run Zoho Assist once more in service mode (using the Azure Admin credential that were added as Local Admin).

The “You are unable to view the remote computer’s screen since you have tried to carry out administrative tasks without running in service mode” prompt (shown below) occurs when users attempt to execute any “run as service” operation if the session runs as a standard desktop.

Actions like “Right click on any app > Run as Administrator”—as well as accessing any Windows UAC triggering app—could cause the screen to freeze.

Await the end-user’s (the person on the remote machine) response to the prompt.

Try once more to run Zoho assist in service mode.

This happens when someone with a lack of permissions/privileges tries copying/pasting/modifying something within a Windows folder—but Microsoft doesn’t permit unauthorized access to a Windows installation.

Local administrators lack the required permissions, such as being able to read, write, or modify files within the folders shown below:

• %programdata%\ZohoMeeting\
• %localappdata%\ZohoMeeting\ (the currently active user account).

Follow the steps below to provide local administrators the needed permissions within Windows folders:

Step 1: Open either of the folder paths above.

Step 2: Right-click the folder.

Step 3: Choose “Properties” from the pop-up menu.

Step 4: Go to the “Security tab”.

Step 5: Hit the “Edit” button.

Step 6: From the list, choose the desired local Admin user you’d like to give permissions to.

Please Note: If the local administrator doesn’t appear in the list.

Step 6.1: Hit “Add”.

Step 6.2: Then search for their username in the text area (shown below).

Step 6.3: Click “Check names” to view the list of users containing the substring.

Step 6.4: Choose the desired local admin.

Step 7: Toggle the “Full control” check box to one located below the Allow section.

Step 8: Hit the dialogs to apply permission changes on the specified folder.

This particular issue happens if necessary service files aren’t available/are missing from the Assist Remote Support configuration folder. Follow the steps below to resolve this issue.

Step 1: End the current session and uninstall the existing Remote Support configuration (do this by going to the entry: Control Panel > Uninstall a Program > “Zoho Assist” > Uninstall.

Step 2: Wait for the instance to be removed (this will take a few seconds).

Step 3: Join a new session on the remote machine once removal is complete.

The error indicates that the running Zoho Assist in service mode was initiated successfully (through validation of admin credentials.) However, the service installation failure occurred during the run time.

Please note: It is highly recommended to contact support with logs & screenshots to resolve this issue.

Provide the below data if you can’t troubleshoot on your own:

• Screenshot the error messages received when trying to run Zoho Assist in service mode.
• Zip the required logs from the remote machine:
- ◦ Start > Run > Type “%localappdata%\ZohoMeeting\
- ◦ Right-click the folder called “log” and select “Compress to zip”
- ◦ Start > Run> Type “%programdata%\ZohoMeeting\
- ◦ Right-click the folder called “log” and select “Compress to zip”.

The below steps work for both Windows and Mac users to add the unattended access installer and configure a device. After devices are correctly configured, users can remotely access and troubleshoot devices. Find out what unattended access is first and all the specifics of using it.

Download the unattended access installer for Zoho Assist (on both Mac and Windows) by following the steps below:

Step 1: Open Zoho Assist and log in.

Step 2: Go to Settings and select Deployment (located beneath Unattended Access).

Step 3: Hit Download Installer (located on the right-hand side).

Step 4: Select the Mac Installer or Windows Installer to download the software.

Step 5: After downloading, install the unattended access installer.

Step 6: Go to Unattended Access.

Step 7: Click Connect (found next to users wish to access).

For Linux operating systems like Ubuntu and Debian, installation is performed by running the downloaded file. However, finishing the installation on (Linux) operating systems like Centos, Fedora, and Red hat requires following the steps listed below:

Step 1: Log in to Zoho Assist.

Step 2: Go to Settings and select Deployment (found beneath Unattended Access).

Step 3: Located on the right-hand side, click on the Download Installer.

Step 4: Select and download the Linux Installer.

Step 5: Once downloading finishes, run the file or use the below steps to install the unattended access installer.

Step 1: Extract the downloaded file “zohoassist-1.0.0.1-1.*.zip.”

Step 2: Open the terminal.

Step 3: Switch to the download directory by using the command “cd ~/Downloads/zohoassist-1.0.0.1-1.*”

Step 4: Grant permissions to make the file Install.bin runnable by executing the “chmod +x install.bin” command.

Step 5: Run the application via sudo by executing the command “sudo (PWD)/install.bin”

After successful app installation, the “Application installed successfully” prompt will display.

Step 6: Check the system tray for the Zoho Assist icon after rebooting the computer.

Restarting the Zoho Assist app on an iPhone can resolve minor glitches caused by the app’s cache. Follow the steps below to learn how to quit and restart Zoho Assist on an iPhone:

Step 1: Swipe up from the bottom until the App Switcher opens.

Step 2: Find your Zoho Assist app.

Step 3: Swipe the Zoho Assist app up to close it.

Step 4: Close all remaining background apps using the same process.

Step 5: Restart the iPhone to apply changes and refresh the system.

Step 6: Update the Zoho Assist app to the latest version for iOS.

Note: Sometimes, the best solution is to uninstall Zoho Assist from your iPhone to clear cache and delete lingering temporary files/data that could be corrupting the Zoho Assist app. Once the uninstall is complete, return to the App Store, and reinstall the Zoho Assist app.

Use the steps below to fix issues having to do with network connectivity in the Zoho Assist iPhone app.

Step 1: Navigate as follows “Settings” > “General” > “Reset” > “Reset Network Settings.”

Step 2: Type the correct password for the device.

Step 3: Tap the option that confirms Reset Network Settings.

Please note: Following the above steps will reset network configurations and restore the settings to their defaults. WiFi network and server settings will also be deleted.

Follow the easy step-by-step guide below to resolve issues around the Zoho Assist Android app failing to open, freezing, and displaying error messages.

Force Stop the Zoho Assist Android app:

Step 1: Open the Android Settings.

Step 2: Find and choose the Zoho Assist app.

Step 3: Tap “Force Stop.”

Confirm Zoho Assist is Updated to the Latest PlayStore Version:

Step 1: While operating the Android device, open the Playstore.

Step 2: Search for the Zoho Assist app.

Step 3: Open the detail page.

Step 4: Hit the Update option if one is displayed.

Clear Zoho Assist App cache and data:

Step 1: Tap the Menu on the device’s home screen.

Step 2: Tap Settings.

Step 3: Tap Apps.

Step 4: Once found, tap Zoho Assist from your list of apps.

Step 5: Tap Storage.

Step 6: Clear the cache and data of the app by tapping the “Clear Data” option located at the bottom of the screen.

Step 7: Restart the Zoho Assist app.

This issue often occurs due to a problem with the network used to access the Zoho Assist app. The good news is that the fix could be as simple as correcting the device’s mobile data or your WiFi connection.

Below we’ve outlined the steps to do that:

Step 1: From the device, navigate as follows: “Settings” > “Apps” (or visit the “Manage Apps” tab).

Step 2: Find the Zoho Assist App and tap it.

Step 3: Tap Force Stop.

Step 4: Navigate to Storage and tap “Clear Data”.

Step 5: When prompted, confirm by tapping “OK”.

Step 6: Return to the tab for Zoho Assist app tab.

Step 7: Go to “Mobile Data” > “Allow Background Data Usage.”

Step 8: Return to the phone’s Settings page and tap the “Connections” option.

Step 9: From the “Mobile Network” option, scroll down to “Network Mode”.

Step 10: Add your network on the 4G option. Here’s an example of how that will look: LTE/3G/2G (auto connect).

Step 11: Restart the Zoho Assist app.

Zoho Assist Problems Troubleshooting

Zoho Assist Not Connecting

Check the Internet Connection on Both Computers

Check the Antivirus Exceptions or Exclusions Settings

Configure a Firewall to Work With Zoho Assist

How to Exclude Domains:

How to Allow Ports in Your Firewall Settings

How to Permit Applications Through a Firewall

How to Allow Executable Files in a Firewall Application

How to Exclude Directories From a Firewall Application

How to Check Machine Proxy Settings

Pick a Streamline Alternative to Zoho Assist

Running Zoho Assist in Service Mode Issues

How to Elevate Zoho Assist

Why Isn’t the Assist UAC Dialog Displayed?

How to Resolve “Username or Password Is Incorrect ” or “Logon Unsuccessful”?

Azure Admin Credentials Are Not Working in Assist UAC?

The “A Required Privilege Is Not Held by the Client” or “Access Denied” Issue

How to Fix the “The System Cannot Find the File Specified” Failure

“The Specified Service Does Not Exist as an Installed Service” Error

Zoho Assist Unattended Access Not Working (Mac and Windows)

Zoho Assist Unattended Access Not Working (Linux)

How to Install the Unattended Access Installer in Centos, Fedora, and Red Hat

Zoho Assist App Not Working on iPhone (IOS)

How to Fix Zoho Assist Unable to Connect to a Server on the iPhone App

Fix Zoho Assist App Not Working on Android

Zoho Assist Internet Connection Errors on Android