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If you are using OpenVPN manual configuration on your Mac and see the following error message in your OpenVPN client log:

write UDPv4: Can't assign requested address (code=49)
write UDPv4: Can't assign requested address (code=49)
write UDPv4: Can't assign requested address (code=49)
or
MANAGEMENT: Socket bind failed on local address [AF_INET]180.168.41.175:49314: Can't assign requested address

This is a macOS-specific error that prevents OpenVPN from binding to a network address. It occurs when your Mac’s routing table becomes corrupted, typically after switching Wi-Fi networks, changing IP addresses, or waking from sleep.

To fix it, the routing table needs to be flushed on your active network interface. There are two ways to do this.

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Standard Solution: Restart Machine
Advanced Solution: Flush Routing Table

Standard Solution: Restart Machine

Restart your machine. After that, launch ExpressVPN and connect to a server location.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.

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Advanced Solution: Flush Routing Table

  1. Open Finder > Applications, and select the Utilities folder.
  2. Select Terminal from the list.
  3. To find your active network interface, type the following command and press Enter:
    ifconfig | grep -E "^en[0-9]|inet "
    Look for the interface that has an inet entry directly below it. This is the interface OpenVPN is trying to bind to. Typically en0 is Wi-Fi and en1 is Ethernet. Note down the interface name before proceeding.
  4. Bring your network interface down by entering the corresponding command and pressing Enter:
    sudo ifconfig en0 down
    or
    sudo ifconfig en1 down
    or
    sudo ifconfig en2 down
  5. Enter your Mac password when prompted. You won’t be able to see the characters you type, so be careful to enter it correctly.
  6. Flush the routing table by entering the following command and pressing Enter:
    sudo route flush
    Note: If sudo route flush takes longer than 10 seconds, press Ctrl + C to cancel and then run the command again.
  7. Bring your network interface back up by entering the corresponding command and pressing Enter:
    sudo ifconfig en0 up
    or
    sudo ifconfig en1 up
    or
    sudo ifconfig en2 up
  8. Launch ExpressVPN and connect to a server location.

Need help? Contact the ExpressVPN Support Team for immediate assistance.
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