Error when executing "Tor Browser"

Question

First: I've never used Tor Browser or similar applications, so please forgive my noobness.

I'm pretty sure I've done everything correctly, but I still can't seem to connect. I've downloaded the newest version of Tor.

I've disabled firewall and my free Avast anti-virus. At least, I think I did. I'm not too sure how to check on that.

When I open Tor Browser, the small window opens while "trying to connect." However, I always get an error message "Could not connect to Tor control port." I'm not sure what I'm missing.

I'm running Win 7.

Answer 1

That is a local problem which is probably related to your firewall. The control ports which need to be tunneled through the firewall are 9150 and 9151.

1. at https://trac.torproject.org/projects/tor/ticket/11023 user "badon" says

   I copied my portable Tor Browser Bundle to another drive, and it worked!

   you could give that a try, too

2. see if the problem occurs in Safe Mode with Networking (press F8 while starting to access)

3. try the TBB on a friend's computer to see if you have the same problem

4. follow the steps at https://trac.torproject.org/projects/tor/ticket/11776. (f.ex. by uninstalling your AV software)

5. check your firewall

   • see https://superuser.com/questions/611620/firewall-blocks-localhost-but-only-if-its-turned-on where the problem is in the hosts file.
   • https://superuser.com/questions/401900/how-to-block-localhost-connections-with-windows-7-2008r2-firewall says that the windows firewall should not be the problem if you are able to access tor.sx.
   • have a look at official documentation.

6. There are directions on changing your ports from 9150/9151 to others at https://trac.torproject.org/projects/tor/ticket/13150

7. download TAILS to a USB stick and boot from it to use Tor.