SRT Target Shows "Failed to Connect" After Disabling Encryption or Upgrading Broadcaster
SRT Target Shows "Failed to Connect" After Disabling Encryption or Upgrading Broadcaster
If your SRT target is showing "Failed to Connect" error and a passphrase is (or was) configured, the issue is likely a passphrase mismatch between ZEN Master, the Broadcaster, and the receiving end. This article explains the two most common causes and how to resolve them.
Failed to connect error in both Broadcaster & ZEN Master
Symptoms
- SRT target status shows Failed to Connect
- A passphrase is saved in ZEN Master, but encryption is currently disabled on the target
- Issue appeared after disabling encryption on the target, or after a Broadcaster upgrade
- The target receiver still has a passphrase configured
Root Cause
1. Passphrase saved in ZEN Master with encryption disabled When encryption is disabled on an SRT target in ZEN Master, any passphrase saved in the configuration is not pushed to the Broadcaster. If the receiving end still expects an encrypted stream with a passphrase, the connection fails due to a mismatch.
2. Broadcaster upgrade wiped the passphrase A Broadcaster upgrade can sometimes clear the passphrase from the Broadcaster's local target config. If ZEN Master still shows a passphrase saved (with encryption disabled), the Broadcaster has no passphrase, but the receiver is still expecting one, again causing a mismatch.
Key rule: The passphrase configuration must be consistent across ZEN Master, the Broadcaster and the target receiver. Encryption must be "enabled" for a passphrase to propagate from ZEN Master to the Broadcaster.
Resolution
Option 1: Enable Encryption (Recommended if the receiver is expecting it)
If the target receiver is configured with encryption enabled:
- In ZEN Master locate the SRT target.
- Enable Encryption on the target.
- Confirm the correct passphrase is entered.
- Save the configuration.
Option 2: Fully Remove the Passphrase (If encryption is not required)
If you want to run without encryption:
- In ZEN Master, navigate to the SRT target.
- Remove the passphrase from the target configuration (the field must be empty — not just disabled).
- Save the configuration.
- On the target receiver, also clear the passphrase from its configuration.
- Confirm both ends have no passphrase and encryption is disabled
- Confirm stream connects successfully.