# Cannot open new Rhino window: "Contacting McNeel server"

**URL:** <https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/cannot-open-new-rhino-window-contacting-mcneel-server/58626>\
**Category:** Rhino for Windows\
**Created:** [March 21, 2018, 2:34pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/cannot-open-new-rhino-window-contacting-mcneel-server/58626 "2018-03-21T14:34:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![siemen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/siemen/32/490472_2.png) [@siemen](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/siemen)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 2:34pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/cannot-open-new-rhino-window-contacting-mcneel-server/58626/1 "2018-03-21T14:34:38Z")

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Hi. A bit frustrated here as I got projects for clients to finish and I cannot open Rhino. I get this window and it’s not going away:  
 ![Capture2](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/original/3X/6/4/64daeb61047883d5636b44f4358a0282e1acdb6b.JPG)  
If I press “x” or Cancel it brings me to this window:

 ![Capture3](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/original/3X/d/d/dd74a08b60c547d5e97fee17e2ff5d9290f33b56.JPG)  
When I click on “login as siemen” it brings me to the contacting mcneel servers window again. This is pretty messed up. I would try restarting my computer if it wasn’t for the fact that I still have another Rhino window open with a project I’m working on at the same time and I don’t want to risk not being able to work on that either.

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**Author:** ![siemen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/siemen/32/490472_2.png) [@siemen](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/siemen)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 2:58pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/cannot-open-new-rhino-window-contacting-mcneel-server/58626/2 "2018-03-21T14:58:50Z")

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After 25 minutes of waiting I get this:  
 ![Capture4](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/uploads/default/original/3X/5/9/5993bcc9920e2b1aeff3ad9e412210cc5ac24117.JPG)

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**Author:** ![Helvetosaur](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/helvetosaur/32/635974_2.png) [@Helvetosaur](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/Helvetosaur)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 3:07pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/cannot-open-new-rhino-window-contacting-mcneel-server/58626/3 "2018-03-21T15:07:53Z")

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I got that this morning when I opened my laptop (at a client’s place) and it hadn’t run Rhino in several weeks. I got on their wifi and had to go through the log-in procedure, pressed the log-in as Mitch button and got an error message - but Rhino opened anyway and I checked in Options - it had gotten the license… (didn’t get the last screen)

I did notice a message yesterday on my work machine that I had been “logged out” of my McNeel account even though I hadn’t done anything.

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**Author:** ![John\_Brock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/john_brock/32/476283_2.png) [@John\_Brock](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/John_Brock)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 3:14pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/cannot-open-new-rhino-window-contacting-mcneel-server/58626/4 "2018-03-21T15:14:43Z")

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Hi  
I suspect Windows is confused about what your default browser is and needs to be kicked in the head. Rhino is asking Windows to open a browser window and Windows has gone deaf.

It’s easy to sort.

Press your Windows key and run Settings.  
Select “Apps” and then “Default Apps”.  
Click on your Web browser. Choose a different one then switch back to what you want to use.  
Then when Rhino asks Windows to launch your browser so you can login, it will actually launch a browser.

Any luck?

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**Author:** ![siemen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/siemen/32/490472_2.png) [@siemen](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/siemen)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 3:25pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/cannot-open-new-rhino-window-contacting-mcneel-server/58626/5 "2018-03-21T15:25:16Z")

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This doesn’t seem to make a difference…

That is to say, if I did it correctly. I tried following along your steps but I’m on Windows 7 so I’m assuming you mean “Control panel” with “Settings” and “Set default program” instead of “Default Apps”.

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**Author:** ![John\_Brock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/john_brock/32/476283_2.png) [@John\_Brock](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/John_Brock)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 3:27pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/cannot-open-new-rhino-window-contacting-mcneel-server/58626/6 "2018-03-21T15:27:50Z")

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We mostly see this on Windows 10 so those are the details I supplied.  
Can you open your browser and visit:  
[https://accounts.rhino3d.com/?controller=home](https://accounts.rhino3d.com/?controller=home)

Then click on Licenses and see yours?

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**Author:** ![siemen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/siemen/32/490472_2.png) [@siemen](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/siemen)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 3:30pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/cannot-open-new-rhino-window-contacting-mcneel-server/58626/7 "2018-03-21T15:30:08Z")

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Yes

 ![Capture5](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/original/3X/a/e/aeec9b9ce1a7ff38a44b105618eb01f2564522f9.JPG)

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**Author:** ![John\_Brock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/john_brock/32/476283_2.png) [@John\_Brock](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/John_Brock)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 3:33pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/cannot-open-new-rhino-window-contacting-mcneel-server/58626/8 "2018-03-21T15:33:15Z")

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Did you try changing your default browser, or did you just open the tool and verify it’s the one you want?

The fix is to actually change it so Windows updates it’s settings, fixing the problem.  
Then you can switch back to your preferred browser.

At least that’s how it’s worked for everyone else including myself.

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**Author:** ![siemen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/siemen/32/490472_2.png) [@siemen](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/siemen)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 3:35pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/cannot-open-new-rhino-window-contacting-mcneel-server/58626/10 "2018-03-21T15:35:01Z")

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I tried changing the default browser to internet explorer then start Rhino: no succes. I tried changing the default browser to Firefox then start Rhino: no succes.

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**Author:** ![John\_Brock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/john_brock/32/476283_2.png) [@John\_Brock](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/John_Brock)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 3:36pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/cannot-open-new-rhino-window-contacting-mcneel-server/58626/11 "2018-03-21T15:36:30Z")

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I’ve assigned this to the developer @aj1. When he gets in I’ll ask him to have a look for more help.  
I’m out of ideas.

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**Author:** ![aj1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/aj1/32/537928_2.png) [@aj1](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/aj1)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 4:08pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/cannot-open-new-rhino-window-contacting-mcneel-server/58626/12 "2018-03-21T16:08:46Z")

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Hi @siemen can you try the following please? It is important you follow the steps verbatim.

1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
3. Click the Advanced tab, and then click the Reset button.
4. On the Programs tab, under Internet programs, click Set Programs, then “Set your Default Programs”, select Internet Explorer and click “Set this program as Default”.
5. Click OK and close the dialogs.
6. Launch Rhino and try again.

Let me know if this works for you.

AJ

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![siemen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/siemen/32/490472_2.png) [@siemen](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/siemen)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 4:29pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/cannot-open-new-rhino-window-contacting-mcneel-server/58626/13 "2018-03-21T16:29:13Z")

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Hi Andres,

I followed your steps but it doesn’t seem to have fixed the problem, unfortunately…

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**Author:** ![aj1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/aj1/32/537928_2.png) [@aj1](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/aj1)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 4:34pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/cannot-open-new-rhino-window-contacting-mcneel-server/58626/14 "2018-03-21T16:34:45Z")

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Hmmmm, that’s unfortunate. Do you have any anti virus software running on your computer?

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**Author:** ![siemen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/siemen/32/490472_2.png) [@siemen](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/siemen)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 4:55pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/cannot-open-new-rhino-window-contacting-mcneel-server/58626/15 "2018-03-21T16:55:02Z")

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I do! Good point! I’ll check if turning that off solves it.

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**Author:** ![siemen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/siemen/32/490472_2.png) [@siemen](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/siemen)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 4:56pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/cannot-open-new-rhino-window-contacting-mcneel-server/58626/16 "2018-03-21T16:56:24Z")

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Nope ☹

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![John\_Brock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/john_brock/32/476283_2.png) [@John\_Brock](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/John_Brock)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 4:59pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/cannot-open-new-rhino-window-contacting-mcneel-server/58626/17 "2018-03-21T16:59:56Z")

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Another long-shot idea…

Any chance Windows has installed an update and is waiting to reboot?  
Run Windows’ Check for Updates and see.

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**Author:** ![siemen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/siemen/32/490472_2.png) [@siemen](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/siemen)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 5:11pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/cannot-open-new-rhino-window-contacting-mcneel-server/58626/18 "2018-03-21T17:11:34Z")

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You might be on to something. The shut down button has a warning symbol next to it saying it will install updates. I’m almost finished with the Rhino file which I still have open, After I’m done I’ll try this out and see if that solves the issue.

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**Author:** ![siemen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/siemen/32/490472_2.png) [@siemen](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/siemen)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2018, 6:09pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/cannot-open-new-rhino-window-contacting-mcneel-server/58626/19 "2018-03-21T18:09:39Z")

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It worked. Windows update was causing the issue. Thanks for helping out

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**Author:** ![siemen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/siemen/32/490472_2.png) [@siemen](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/siemen)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2018, 12:02pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/cannot-open-new-rhino-window-contacting-mcneel-server/58626/20 "2018-03-30T12:02:16Z")

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Seems like something similar is happening now after restarting.  
 ![180330%20Capture](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/uploads/default/original/3X/f/e/fea929e413263b3f81637ce1780ce27cf0811594.JPG)  
I’ll restart again and probably that will fix it. But it is a bit annoying, this wasn’t a problem with Rhino 5?

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**Author:** ![Helvetosaur](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/helvetosaur/32/635974_2.png) [@Helvetosaur](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/Helvetosaur)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2018, 3:47pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/cannot-open-new-rhino-window-contacting-mcneel-server/58626/21 "2018-03-30T15:47:53Z")

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Yep. You get logged out of your Rhino account automatically every 90 days (or so), so this will happen every few months from now on. Of course this did not happen with V5, as there was no online licensing function.

— Mitch

[Next page](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/cannot-open-new-rhino-window-contacting-mcneel-server/58626.md?page=2)