Can't upload at work? Company firewalls, proxies and VPNs

3 min read · Updated 2026-11-13

Short answer

Some company networks, proxies and VPNs block or cut off large uploads to file transfer sites. Test on another network to confirm, then ask your IT team to allow pandafile.co over HTTPS.

Many organisations control which websites staff can upload files to. That's a sensible security measure, but it can mean Pandafile loads fine while uploads never start, stop part-way or fail with a network error. VPNs can cause similar problems or slow things down a lot.

Diagram showing a laptop blocked by a company firewall or VPN on the way to pandafile.co, and a working route through a phone hotspot or home Wi-Fi
If another network works, the block is on the first one.

Check whether it's your network

  1. Disconnect from your VPN, if you're allowed to, and try again.
  2. Try the same upload on a different network, such as your phone's hotspot or home Wi-Fi.
  3. If it works immediately elsewhere, the company network or VPN is blocking or limiting uploads.

What to ask your IT team

  • Allow the website pandafile.co over HTTPS (port 443).
  • Allow large uploads to it. Our uploads are sent in chunks and can be resumed, which tends to work well with proxies once the site is allowed.
  • Make sure the proxy doesn't cut off long-running connections during big uploads.

Things your IT team may want to know: all traffic uses HTTPS, files are stored on servers in Helsinki, Finland, the database is in Frankfurt, Germany, and we follow UK and EU GDPR. Our privacy and security pages have more detail.

Downloads blocked at work?

If someone has sent you files and the download page or the download itself is blocked, the same fix applies: ask IT to allow pandafile.co. In the meantime you could download on another network, as long as that's within your company's policy.

Related guides

Why is my upload stuck at 0%?An upload that never leaves 0% almost always means your browser cannot reach our upload server. Refresh the page, try another browser or a private window, pause extensions and, if it still won't start, switch network.Why is my upload so slow and how can I speed it up?Upload speed is mostly set by your own internet connection's upload speed, which is often far lower than its download speed. Using a cable instead of Wi-Fi, moving closer to the router and pausing other uploads or backups usually helps most.Getting an error in your browser when uploading or downloading?Most browser errors come from an outdated browser, an extension that blocks requests, a full disk or a dropped connection. Update your browser, try a private window, check your free disk space and press Try again.
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