# Sync error "The message received was unexpected or badly formatted"

**URL:** <https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/sync-error-the-message-received-was-unexpected-or-badly-formatted/19942>\
**Category:** Syncing & AnkiWeb\
**Created:** [May 12, 2022, 7:38pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/sync-error-the-message-received-was-unexpected-or-badly-formatted/19942 "2022-05-12T19:38:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![loonysku](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@loonysku](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/loonysku)\
**Post date:** [May 12, 2022, 7:38pm UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/sync-error-the-message-received-was-unexpected-or-badly-formatted/19942/1 "2022-05-12T19:38:39Z")

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Hi!

All of the sudden I started to get this message when I’m trying to sync: “error sending request for url (): error trying to connect: The message received was unexpected or badly formatted. (os error -2146893018)”

So, I tried to restart my PC (Win 10), to update from 2.1.49 to 2.1.51, then I installed 2.1.40. I even tried to switch my WiFi network and turn off firewall, though the error message doesn’t imply it could be connected. All to no avail.

My mobile Anki is working and syncing perfectly in the same network.

What should I do? Please, help.

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**Author:** ![dae](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/dae/32/65_2.png) [@dae](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/dae)\
**Post date:** [May 13, 2022, 1:30am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/sync-error-the-message-received-was-unexpected-or-badly-formatted/19942/2 "2022-05-13T01:30:44Z")

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It’s likely antivirus/firewall/proxy software running on your machine, or the network you’re on.

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**Author:** ![loonysku](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@loonysku](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/loonysku)\
**Post date:** [May 13, 2022, 5:49am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/sync-error-the-message-received-was-unexpected-or-badly-formatted/19942/3 "2022-05-13T05:49:52Z")

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I don’t think so: turning it off and switching networks doesn’t work. Unfortunately.

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**Author:** ![dae](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/forums.ankiweb.net/dae/32/65_2.png) [@dae](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/dae)\
**Post date:** [May 16, 2022, 2:15am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/sync-error-the-message-received-was-unexpected-or-badly-formatted/19942/4 "2022-05-16T02:15:25Z")

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It looks like you may have gotten things working. Presumably you changed something on your computer?

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**Author:** ![loonysku](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@loonysku](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/loonysku)\
**Post date:** [May 16, 2022, 6:46am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/sync-error-the-message-received-was-unexpected-or-badly-formatted/19942/5 "2022-05-16T06:46:37Z")

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I ended up reinstalling Windows. It fixed things, but I wish there was an easier way.

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/anki2/original/1X/8f1279ababc5879d54e4838989f606cfe55af8c7.jpeg) [@system](https://forums.ankiweb.net/u/system)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2023, 6:12am UTC](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/sync-error-the-message-received-was-unexpected-or-badly-formatted/19942/6 "2023-05-01T06:12:44Z")

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Closed on May 1, 2023, 6:12am UTC