---
title: SRT Target Shows "Failed to Connect" After Disabling Encryption or Upgrading Broadcaster
slug: troubleshooting/srt-target-shows-failed-to-connect-after-disabling-encryption-or-upgrading-broadcaster
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-09-16T18:04:33.452Z
---

## 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 broadcaster](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/mzxtTQEvCNIdUNgF2kuwJ/BRA6NxUbb2S714PXv8_7u_failed-to-connect.png)

![Failed to connect image in ZEN Master](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/mzxtTQEvCNIdUNgF2kuwJ/AxUU-biuTxHDag9IIhllT_failed-to-disconnect.png)

*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.

:::hint{type="warning"}
**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:

1. In ZEN Master locate the SRT target.
2. Enable **Encryption** on the target.
3. Confirm the correct passphrase is entered.
4. Save the configuration.

### Option 2: Fully Remove the Passphrase (If encryption is not required)

If you want to run without encryption:

1. In ZEN Master, navigate to the SRT target.
2. **Remove the passphrase** from the target configuration (the field must be empty — not just disabled).
3. Save the configuration.
4. On the **target receiver**, also clear the passphrase from its configuration.
5. Confirm both ends have no passphrase and encryption is disabled
6. Confirm stream connects successfully.