Unable to connect Swivle to Swivle Agent

Swivle Agent is a small application that runs in the background on the same system on which Swivle is used. With it, a file can be automatically opened in its native application and checked-in again after editing.

This article describes a scenario when Swivle is unable to connect to Swivle Agent when using Google Chrome.

Issue

One of the following issues occur:

Issue 1: When trying to connect to Swivle Agent by clicking its icon in Swivle, a message appears:

(Swivle URL) wants to look for and connect to any device on your local network.

When clicking Block, no connection can be made anymore and a notification appears: 

Could not connect to Swivle Agent

Issue 2: After dismissing the message described in issue 1, it does not reappear, but the notification 'Could not connect to Swivle Agent' keeps getting displayed.

Background information

This behavior is related to a security and privacy setting in Google Chrome with which a connection to your local network (such as the connection between Swivle and Swivle Agent) can be blocked.

Resolution

Step 1. In Google Chrome, access the Local network access settings by entering the following URL:

chrome://settings/content/localNetworkAccess

The middle of the page contains a section for sites that are not allowed to connect to any device on your local network.

Step 2. If the Swivle URL is listed there (for example because you clicked on Block), remove it.

The bottom of the page contains a section for adding connections that are allowed to connect to any device on your local network.

Step 3. Click Add and in the dialog that appears, add the main URL of Swivle. When done, click Add to close the dialog.

Example: https://app.swivle.com/

Step 4. In Swivle, click the icon to connect to Swivle Agent. It should now be able to connect.