Version 7.04 has stopped working with NordVPN on Kodi

[totarello91]

I paste the log:

2025-11-05 20:38:35 DEPRECATED OPTION: --cipher set to 'AES-256-CBC' but missing in --data-ciphers (AES-256-GCM:AES-128-GCM). Future OpenVPN version will ignore --cipher for cipher negotiations. Add 'AES-256-CBC' to --data-ciphers or change --cipher 'AES-256-CBC' to --data-ciphers-fallback 'AES-256-CBC' to silence this warning.
2025-11-05 20:38:35 WARNING: file '/home/osmc/.kodi/addons/service.vpn.manager/NordVPN/pass.txt' is group or others accessible
2025-11-05 20:38:35 OpenVPN 2.5.1 arm-unknown-linux-gnueabihf [SSL (OpenSSL)] [LZO] [LZ4] [EPOLL] [PKCS11] [MH/PKTINFO] [AEAD] built on Aug 25 2025
2025-11-05 20:38:35 library versions: OpenSSL 1.1.1w 11 Sep 2023, LZO 2.10
2025-11-05 20:38:35 Error reading username from Auth authfile: /home/osmc/.kodi/addons/service.vpn.manager/NordVPN/pass.txt
2025-11-05 20:38:35 Exiting due to fatal error

[peno64]

I would try to generate a new token and use that one. Maybe it was expired. Make sure that you check that it may not expire.

[zygolux]

Same issue. I tried a new token with no luck.
I also tried to re-install the addon from scratch and run the wizard. It gets stuck when trying to "connect using profile"

[dsgdesign]

Same here. Spent the last hour trying to troubleshoot. Regenerated new tokens, deactivated-uninstalled-reinstalled service.vpn.manager app. Still same error message as the above post. I'm starting to suspect that NordVPN may have changed something on their end...

[jamakal]

I've worked out what's wrong - it appears as though NordVPN have dropped support for the Authorization header in the format 'Authorization: token:' in favour of 'Authorization: Bearer token:'. Tested and it works for me.

This is the same way that the NordVPN Linux client authenticates: https://github.com/NordSecurity/nordvpn-linux/blob/ac46cb609d93fff68cfb8c46bf2d0d835a378cb1/request/request.go#L59

I've raised a PR (#439) if we can get it merged @Zomboided!

[zygolux]

Thank you so much @jamakal
I have updated the alternativeNord.py file manually on my Pi and can enjoy again my favorite shows.

[callerpj]

Hmm. I changed the alternativeNord.py but still does not work.
any hints?
Thanks in advance

[CRL901]

@zygolux would you mind posting your working alternativeNORD.py file?

[zygolux]

@zygolux would you mind posting your working alternativeNORD.py file?

I have made the changes mentioned here: https://github.com/Zomboided/service.vpn.manager/pull/439/files

The other things I have done, but I think it did not help at all, and was part of my attempt to understand the issue: get a new token, and reinstall the addon from the zip.

But again the solution comes from @jamakal and I have done the changes myself on my install, instead of waiting for them to be released.

[philipp369]

I am on version 7.0.3 and have the same issue connecting to NordVPN. It started yesterday. I have no way to get to the configuration files. Will you issue a new release?

[peno64]

[I also implemented the change from @jamakal and it works without a problem.
You only need to change /libs/alternativeNord.py, that is all. No new token must be generated.
Attached the changed file. So just replace it and restart kodi and it should be fixed.

alternativeNord.py

[peno64]

Btw, great work @jamakal
Thx

[peno64]

For people not knowing how to update this file you can also do the following.

• Go to https://github.com/jamakal/service.vpn.manager/tree/master
• Click Code, Download zip
• In kodi, choose "Install from zip"
• Choose this downloaded zip file
• Done

Best to restart kodi after this.

[philipp369]

Fab. It worked. Thank you!

[BadIDMan]

@jamakal - Great job done!
I can imagine to find the reason why it stopped working isn't obvious, right? But still you were able to do that.
Thanks. It works.

[dsgdesign]

Thank you @jamakal. Excellent work and quick resolution! The changes implemented to the alternativeNord.py make NordVPN functional again.