Disabled Fixed | Kerio Control Web Filter Is Not Activated Categorization Is
The "Kerio Control web filter is not activated, categorization is disabled" error is a clear indicator that your security appliance cannot communicate with the core services it relies on. The fix is methodical: always start with a license verification, then check system time and DNS settings, before moving to more advanced command-line solutions. The final step of disabling reliability detection is a safety net for persistent network stability issues but should not be your only fix. By following this guide, you will diagnose the specific failure point and restore your web filtering to full functionality.
By following these best practices and staying on top of maintenance and troubleshooting, administrators can ensure that their Kerio Control web filter functions correctly and provides effective protection for their organization's network.
Ensure "Kerio Control Web Filter" is checked in Content Filter settings. The "Kerio Control web filter is not activated,
Ensure no upstream router or ISP modem is blocking outbound ports 80 (HTTP) or 443 (HTTPS) specifically for the Kerio Control WAN IP address. 4. Clear the Web Filter Cache via SSH
Ensure your firewall allows outgoing traffic on (HTTPS) and Port 80 (HTTP) to Kerio's update servers. By following this guide, you will diagnose the
Kerio Control uses the service (powered by Bitdefender) to classify websites into categories (e.g., Social Media, Gambling, Adult Content).
Go to DNS settings and configure Custom DNS forwarding for *.zvelo.com to use Cloudflare ( 1.1.1.1 ) or OpenDNS ( 208.67.222.222 ). Ensure no upstream router or ISP modem is
The good news is that this issue is usually due to one of a few specific, identifiable problems. This guide will walk you through the most effective ways to diagnose and resolve the "web filter is not activated" or "categorization is disabled" error in Kerio Control.
| Component to Check | Action | Expected Result | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Navigate to Logs > Warning Log | No new "Invalid authorization" or "categorization disabled" errors. | | Test URL Categorization | Under Content Filter > Applications and Web Categories , use the "Test URL" tool with a common site like google.com . | The tool returns a category (e.g., "Search Engines / Portals") without an error. | | Manual URL Check | Go to Content Filter > Applications and Web Categories and click the Add button. Enter a test URL (e.g., youtube.com ). Ensure the "Detected Content" column shows a category. | The category is displayed, confirming the filter is working. | | User Experience | Ask a non-admin user to browse to a known blocked category. | The site is blocked, and a block page is shown, confirming policy enforcement. |
Ensure your Primary Internet interface has valid DNS servers configured (e.g.,
The error "Categorization is disabled" appears if:
