ScrapeBox - Unable to communicate with the scrapebox server

[TheCrow]

I recently bought ScrapeBox as it seems to be a very useful and beloved program here on BHW.
However, I have encountered an issue and have not been able to start using the program yet.

The error message "Unable to communicate with the scrapebox server" shows up in the bottom right corner.

Have any of you encountered the same error?
What was the fix for it? If there is a fix available of course.

I'm currently talking with support over email but it's taking a while to get answers, so wanted to check with you guys as well.
The 32-bit version seems to be able to ping the "Access & Auth" servers while the 64-bit version doesn't (see images)

Device info:​

• Desktop
  • Windows 10 64 bit
  • Direct ethernet (no router)
  • Windows Firewall & Windows Defender
  • No other anti-virus/firewall/malware protection
• Laptop
  • Windows 10 64 bit
  • Wifi via router
  • Windows Firewall & Windows Defender
  • No other anti-virus/firewall/malware protection

This is everything I have tested so far, but the error is still there:​

• Restarted my desktop/laptop and redownloaded ScrapeBox
• Ran it as an Administartor
• Ran it in compability mode for Windows 7 & 8
• Updated it to the latest verison
• Whitelisted the .exe in Windows Firewall
• Completely disabled Windows Firewall
• Added the folder as an exception in Windows Defender
• Connected desktop and laptop to the 4g hotspot from my phone to try a different IP address
• Installed it on my laptop
• Tried installing the 32-bit verison, same message but pings showed "green, green, green".

64-bit version:​

32-bit version:​

 

[jamie3000]

Are they definitely the same version? As in release version. They look like they're not. Can you try the same ones in both 32/64?

 

[TheCrow]

Are they definitely the same version? As in release version. They look like they're not. Can you try the same ones in both 32/64?

I downloaded them from their website. So I assume it's the latest releases.

Obviously I want to use the 64-bit version but I just downloaded the 32-bit version to see if it could ping the servers (and It kind of can?)

 

[TheCrow]

Tested a few more things but to no avail...
Also still waiting for support to get back to me.

Tested using a VPN to see if it would change anything.
Downloaded a Virutal Machine with Windows 11 and installed the latest 64-bit ScrapeBox version.

The virtual machine showed me the "No valid license found!" error (as expected).
However, it showed me the same ping colors when testing the access to the ScrapeBox servers. "Green 100ms~, Red 0ms, Red 0ms".

I really doubt that this is a "local machine" issue as I've now tried with 3 different setups. My desktop, my laptop and a virtual machine.
Also tested with different internet connections. Ethernet, wifi, 4g hotspot and VPN.
All showing the same symptoms.

Any help or suggestions is appreciated.

 

[softtouch2009]

I believe its just a certificate issue on the server. Sure any upcoming SB update will fix this.

 

[TheCrow]

I believe its just a certificate issue on the server. Sure any upcoming SB update will fix this.

Sounds logical, however wouldn't more people run in to this issue then?

 

[TheCrow]

UPDATE: This is solved, it was some weird backend issue but support was helpful and the new update they pushed fixed my problem

 

[robin69]

UPDATE: This is solved, it was some weird backend issue but support was helpful and the new update they pushed fixed my problem

how did you get new update?

 

[TheCrow]

how did you get new update?

Contacted support and attached the "Scrapebox.sil" file in the mail. They looked at it and pushed out an update, which fixed my issue

 

[Yassinepro946]

I've yet to hear from them. Issue is stil re-curring for me for the past month.

 

[abs007]

I found this thread linked to from the offical sales thread, I didnt want to post in the sales thread so am posting here hoping to get some help.

I've emailed scrapebox 2 times - once about a month ago and then again a few days ago but I am not getting a reply.

The problem I have is that there is an update available but when I try to update it tells me that the update process has changed, I follow the prompts but then iut does not list any updates and says its unable to check for updates - the only option I have is to close the window and now I'm not able to open scra[pebox because the exe file is no longer there.
ive attached some images hoping it will help better explain.

 

[softtouch2009]

I found this thread linked to from the offical sales thread, I didnt want to post in the sales thread so am posting here hoping to get some help.

I've emailed scrapebox 2 times - once about a month ago and then again a few days ago but I am not getting a reply.

The problem I have is that there is an update available but when I try to update it tells me that the update process has changed, I follow the prompts but then iut does not list any updates and says its unable to check for updates - the only option I have is to close the window and now I'm not able to open scra[pebox because the exe file is no longer there.
ive attached some images hoping it will help better explain.

What Windows OS version are you using? Looks like you use an now unsupported Windows OS.

 

[abs007]

What Windows OS version are you using? Looks like you use an now unsupported Windows OS.

its on my vps and your probably right - its windows server 2008 r2

I've managed to get the exe back - I changed the file back to the exe and it works - I also updated the google engine manually so that it can scrape again so its working but unable to update - I also tried to download again but its not the latest version. It's working for now. I guess I will need to update my OS on the VPS which I am able to do - but i think it will whipe the entire hard drive -

whats the best way to keep the license for scrapebox working if I update the VPS - will i need to go through the transfer license process? Im just fearful I wont get a reply from scrapebox if I do.

 

[softtouch2009]

its on my vps and your probably right - its windows server 2008 r2

I've managed to get the exe back - I changed the file back to the exe and it works - I also updated the google engine manually so that it can scrape again so its working but unable to update - I also tried to download again but its not the latest version. It's working for now. I guess I will need to update my OS on the VPS which I am able to do - but i think it will whipe the entire hard drive -

whats the best way to keep the license for scrapebox working if I update the VPS - will i need to go through the transfer license process? Im just fearful I wont get a reply from scrapebox if I do.

You should contact the ScrapeBox support. I cannot tell you that.

 

[abs007]

You should contact the ScrapeBox support. I cannot tell you that.

Ok thanks for your help. The only reason I posted here is because I am not getting a reply from the support email - I'm using this email to contact them

[email protected]

do you know if the OS im using on the VPS is supported? ​

 

[softtouch2009]

Ok thanks for your help. The only reason I posted here is because I am not getting a reply from the support email - I'm using this email to contact them

[email protected]​

​

do you know if the OS im using on the VPS is supported? ​

No idea at this time. If you have the chance to access another Windows Server OS, try to run the sbupdater.exe on it to see if it works properly and shows updates.

 

[abs007]

No idea at this time. If you have the chance to access another Windows Server OS, try to run the sbupdater.exe on it to see if it works properly and shows updates.

thanks for your help- I appreciate it - I will try to do as you said but I dont think it will work as scrapebox is only licensed to my VPS -

Maybe I am not using the correct method to contact support. I use scrapebox a fair amount and if I will need to get it registered again, waiting for support will leave me stuck.

I appreciate your replies and all the help you have given.

 

[softtouch2009]

thanks for your help- I appreciate it - I will try to do as you said but I dont think it will work as scrapebox is only licensed to my VPS -

Maybe I am not using the correct method to contact support. I use scrapebox a fair amount and if I will need to get it registered again, waiting for support will leave me stuck.

I appreciate your replies and all the help you have given.

There was today a poower outage, affecting also the ScrapeBox server. Maybe you tried to update just at that time. Did you try again?

 

[abs007]

There was today a poower outage, affecting also the ScrapeBox server. Maybe you tried to update just at that time. Did you try again?

ive been trying for over a month on several occasions, I also tried again when you made the post about using the sbupdater.exe

some other tools I use are not supported on this OS so I wouldnt be suprised if its the OS (but I have got scrapebox working again just not the latest update)

im toally happy to update my OS because I have the control to do it. My only concern is that I will be without scrapebox due to needing a license move which I am not able to risk right now -

are you in direct contact with the scrapebox team? I'm just not able to get a reply from them. It would probably be easier for me to buy a new license I guess (if the license delivery is automated) but I have some premium plugins that are tied to my current license so I dont really want to lose it. Im sitting here praying the scrapebox team are doing well and its just an issue of my emails not getting through to them. Not sure if there is another way to contact them?

 

[softtouch2009]

ive been trying for over a month on several occasions, I also tried again when you made the post about using the sbupdater.exe

some other tools I use are not supported on this OS so I wouldnt be suprised if its the OS (but I have got scrapebox working again just not the latest update)

im toally happy to update my OS because I have the control to do it. My only concern is that I will be without scrapebox due to needing a license move which I am not able to risk right now -

are you in direct contact with the scrapebox team? I'm just not able to get a reply from them. It would probably be easier for me to buy a new license I guess (if the license delivery is automated) but I have some premium plugins that are tied to my current license so I dont really want to lose it. Im sitting here praying the scrapebox team are doing well and its just an issue of my emails not getting through to them. Not sure if there is another way to contact them?

You can contact the ScrapeBox team also via FaceBook.