Kerio Control Web Filter Is Not Activated Categorization Is Disabled Hot New! -

| Cause | Description | |-------|-------------| | | Kerio Control Web Filter requires a valid license (subscription). If expired, categorization is disabled. | | No internet access from Kerio Control | The filter needs to contact Kerio’s cloud categorization servers. Without WAN/DNS access, it fails. | | Web filter service not running | The kerio.webfilter service may be stopped or crashed. | | Misconfiguration in admin interface | Web filter is manually disabled under Configuration → Web Filter → Status . | | DNS resolution failure | Categorization engine cannot resolve categories.kerio.com or related update servers. | | Proxy / upstream firewall blocking | Outbound HTTPS traffic to Kerio’s licensing/categorization APIs is blocked. | | Corrupted local categorization database | Database files may be corrupt, causing the service to disable itself. | | Time/date sync issue | Incorrect system time can break license validation and SSL handshakes with Kerio’s servers. |

You can disable this "Reliability detection" via the GFI Support command-line fix to prevent automatic shutdowns during minor connectivity blips. | Cause | Description | |-------|-------------| | |

Note that the Web Filter is disabled by default for the Guest Interface to allow users to reach the welcome page without authentication. Without WAN/DNS access, it fails

When the shows as "not activated" or "categorization is disabled," it typically stems from connectivity failures between the Kerio appliance and its update servers or authorization issues with the third-party categorization service, Zvelo . Common Fixes | | DNS resolution failure | Categorization engine

For categorization to work accurately on secure sites, ensure HTTPS Filtering (decrypt and filter) is enabled under Content Filter > HTTPS Filtering .

Test by creating a temporary rule: Block category “Streaming” → Visit YouTube → Should be blocked.