As remote access software, GoToMyPc can be quite handy. Using this app, you can access your computer at any time, wherever you are.
Or, at least, that would be the case if errors like “Waiting for Host Computer to Connect” didn’t pop up from time to time.
If you’ve encountered this frustrating message, you’re probably eager to learn what it means. We’ll discuss just that in the article below. In addition, you’ll find out how to fix the issue, learn the best ways to use GoToMyPc, and discover some alternative remote access solutions.
What Is the “Waiting for Host Computer to Connect” Error?
Imagine calling a friend on the phone and not being able to reach them. Your phone works correctly and you have a spotless connection, but there’s something wrong with the friend’s device.
That’s pretty much what happens when you get the “Waiting for Host Computer to Connect” error.
The issue most likely doesn’t stem from the device you’re using to access the remote computer. Instead, the message indicates that the remote computer has problems establishing a connection.
To understand the problem, we need to explain two crucial terms in GoToMyPc: client and host.
The client device is the one you’re using for remote access. The host device is the PC from the app’s title – the one you’re trying to go to.
When you see the “Waiting for Host Computer to Connect” error on the client side, the host computer is probably experiencing some of the following issues:
- The GoToMyPc app wasn’t installed properly on the host device.
- A firewall is blocking traffic from the app on the host side.
- The host device has a poor connection to the internet.
Luckily, these issues aren’t very complex to resolve.
How to Fix “Waiting for Host Computer to Connect”
Although GoToMyPc is a remote access app, fixing the “Waiting for Host Computer to Connect” issue will require you to physically go to the host computer. Once there, you can attempt several solutions:
- Rebooting
- Using the Connection Wizard
- Tweaking firewall settings
- Checking the host computer’s internet connection
Rebooting
Computers sometimes develop performance issues seemingly without a clear cause. This may happen if the host computer has been active for a long time or if particularly resource-heavy processes have been running in the background.
Rebooting your host PC could resolve the “Waiting for Host Computer to Connect” issue. It’s a quick fix that you can try immediately. If you’re far away from the device, it might be worth a shot to call someone else who is near the host computer and ask them to reboot the PC.
Using the Connection Wizard
The Connection Wizard in GoToMyPc is designed to address connection issues. You can access the wizard right from the app.
Launch the Connection Wizard and let it guide you through the straightforward setup process. The wizard will determine the most efficient settings for the internet connection and store them in the app’s data server.
Once the wizard finishes, restart the app and see if the issue is resolved.
Tweaking Firewall Settings
The firewall on your host PC could be blocking the GoToMyPc app from accessing the internet. In that case, you should go to the firewall settings to add the app to the list of exceptions, i.e., give it unhindered network access.
The exact method for changing firewall settings will depend on which firewall program you’re using. The support page for GoToMyPc has a detailed explanation of the optimal firewall settings you’ll need to apply to get the app to work seamlessly.
If you’re confident in what you’re doing and don’t want to consult the support page, you should know which change to make in your firewall. The name of the program you’ll want to add to the exception list is g2comm.exe.
Once you apply the changes, close the app, open it again, and try to connect to the host.
Checking the Host Computer Internet Connection
If none of the methods described above prove effective, you may need to inspect the host’s internet connection. GoToMyPc can only function properly if the host and client devices have an uninterrupted network access.
The first thing to check is your connection quality. Slower, less reliable connections like dial-up or satellite internet will make GoToMyPc perform poorly. For the optimal user experience, you should have a broadband connection such as DSL.
Provided your connection meets the minimum requirements, the cause of the “Waiting for Host Computer to Connect” issue may lie outside the host device. This is particularly the case if you encounter another error message, “Lost internet connection.”
In such cases, the problem might be with your router or modem, or it could stem from the internet service provider (ISP) side. Connection issues will be easier to determine since other network-dependent apps won’t function properly either.
Since you have direct access to your home network devices, it’s best to check those first:
- Turn off your router or modem.
- Wait 10-15 seconds.
- Turn the device on and wait until it establishes a connection.
If you have both a router and a modem, restart both devices as described above. When it comes to determining if the connection has kicked in, you’ll know the devices are ready based on the light indicators on them.
Let’s say you’ve restarted your network devices, and nothing happened. Then, your ISP could be experiencing issues.
If the network disruption continues, call your ISP and ask if there were any outages on their side. If not, describing the problems you’re having to the ISP support service might be worthwhile. The support staff may be able to help you restore proper internet access.
How to Use GoToMyPc
As a remote access app, GoToMyPc is particularly useful for easy file transfer. The app isn’t designed with remote support in mind, especially since you can only connect to a single host device from one client.
GoToMyPc will be most useful for people who need to transfer files between two devices often and are on the go. When you enter the app and connect to the host, file transfer will be as easy as dragging and dropping.
You can also use GoToMyPc for basic diagnostics. The app shows memory, CPU, and connection speed stats for both devices, which could be helpful in certain situations.
Finally, you’ll get the Bitdefender antivirus software with your GoToMyPc subscription. The primary app and the antivirus have similar functionality on Windows and MacOS devices.
Alternatives to GoToMyPc
Depending on your needs and budget, GoToMyPc might not be the optimal solution. The app has very specific functions and is limited as a remote access tool. Plus, it comes with a hefty subscription. If you’re on a tight budget or want to get more bang for your buck, you could try some alternatives.
TeamViewer is a widely popular remote access solution. This tool will work well for business purposes and excel in personal use. On the other hand, many companies opt for RemotePC, a remote access app that’s better suited for larger computer infrastructures.
Go to Your PC Whenever You Want
If the suggested methods work on your devices, GoToMyPc should start working without a hitch. With the connectivity issue restored, you can continue accessing your host PC whenever needed and not worry if an important file transfer will be interrupted midway through.
Did you manage to fix the “Waiting for Host Computer to Connect” issue? What was the cause of the problem? Let us know in the comments below.
