Deck can't connect to WiFi after rebooting while using a VPN

[outerwinnie]

Description
The Deck can't connect to WiFi after powering off or rebooting having the VPN (and thus, Enable OpenVPN) active and "Automatically connect to VPN" enable. I have tried to reproduce this issue with "Automatically connect to VPN" disable i haven't been able to.

To Reproduce
Steps to reproduce the behavior:

1. Enable OpenVPN in the plugin settings.
2. Enable the VPN in the plugins settings.
3. Change to desktop mode, and enable "Automatically connect to VPN" in WiFi settings.
4. Change to gaming mode and reboot and/or power off and turn on again 3-4 times.
5. See error

Video
https://streamable.com/ndk2cv

Version information

• SteamOS Version: 3.4
• Selected Update Channel: Preview

[sean-work]

Hello, seeing there was already a thread, I decided to add my experiences also. I am also on SteamOS 3.4.8 and have recently decided to use tunneldeck again.

So months ago I was having issues with my steamdeck authenticating with my home network despite the saved password not having changed. The issue went on for weeks with no other devices on the network seeing a fault. Eventually, to reduce possible variables, I decided to try removing tunneldeck and all openvpn configurations i had added. In the months that followed, I've used the deck daily in desktop mode and this issue has not reoccurred.

That was until last weekend when I decided I needed VPN access again and re-added openvpn support to network manager via tunneldeck. I added my configs and have been able to use VPN. Later that evening, with the VPN disabled, those same issues began plaguing me. Restarting the deck usually fixes it but not always. The deck repeatedly states that no secrets were provided.
Restarting the wifi router seems to fix the issue without having to restart the deck. Toggling wifi or airplane mode on the deck makes no difference. I have a feeling the deck itself takes issue with the WiFi router and refuses to complete the authentication process as the Wifi's event log just claims the deck registers then de-registers.

I also now get kde desktop notifications while using the device (chatting on discord), that state the WiFi disconnected and then immediately reconnected. Again an almost immediate re-appearance since my re-use of openvpn configs. Any idea how openvpn configs may cause this? My VPN is nordvpn and required specific credentials to be generated for the openvpn configs to login through.

In Tunneldeck, in the WiFi connection settings and in the settings for any openVPN connections I have disbled IPV6.

If i disable "Enable OpenVPN" within tunneldeck, the issues persist. In a few days, I will try removing the tunneldeck plugin entirely to see if the issue goes away as before.

Thanks for reading, I'm aware you may feel this issue is unrelated to tunneldeck/openvpn. But i felt it may be helpful to report my thoughts and circumstances.