Symptoms

There is no possibility to register a copy of Parallels Desktop, Parallels Access or Parallels Toolbox, a message say to check your Internet connection. Even though the Internet is working fine, registration is still not working.

Cause

• Third-party antivirus/firewall application blocks connection to the Parallels registration server

• Mac operating system may have a faulty registration domain listed in your local hosts file which prevents Parallels Desktop to register.

• Port 443 is blocked by network security settings/firewall or on the company's server due to security restrictions.

Resolution

In order to resolve the issue follow the steps below:

1. Temporarily disable firewall/antivirus application installed on the Mac according to its manufacturer instructions. It's strongly advised to restart the Mac to apply changes. If disabling firewall/antivirus won't help, temporarily remove the application.
   NOTE: Add Parallels Desktop application to firewall/antivirus exclusions so the issue won't happen again in the future. 

2. If you have proxy turned on in your Mac - please turn it off at:

   For proxy settings:

   1) Please contact you system administrator for assistance.

   2) Disable proxy in System Preferences - Network - Active connection - Advanced... - Proxy

   

   And restart your Mac.

3. Open Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal and paste the command below as is and hit Return:

   cat /etc/hosts
   

   1. Examine the output for similar entries:

      127.0.0.1       pdfm.blist.parallels.com
      127.0.0.1       pdfm.vl.parallels.com
      127.0.0.1       account.parallels.com
      127.0.0.1       desktop.parallels.com
      127.0.0.1       license.parallels.com
      127.0.0.1       update.parallels.com
      

4. In case such entries are present in your hosts file, remove them. To do it:

   In Terminal execute another command (copy and paste it into Terminal as is.):

   sudo perl -pi -w -e 's/(?:[A-Za-z0-9-]+.?)*parallels\.com/#/g;' /etc/hosts
   

   NOTE: You will need to enter your Mac password to run the command. No symbols will be shown due to security measures, so just hit the keys and use Return/Enter.

5. Close Terminal window and try registering Parallels Desktop again.

To check status of 443 port, do the following:

1. Open Spotlight > type Network Utility > open Network Utility.app

2. Switch to 'Port Scan' tab > enter one of the following addresses:

   account.parallels.com
   desktop.parallels.com
   license.parallels.com

3. Enable 'Only test ports between' option > enter ports 443 and 443 and click Scan:

   

4. If the port is opened, the output will be:

   Open TCP Port:  443    https
   

5. If this message does not appear, please do the following:

   a. Reconfigure network settings/contact IT administrator.

   b. Use different type of connection (e.g. a mobile device as a hot spot).