Pf Configuration Incompatible With Pf Program Version Jun 2026
: Moving from OpenBSD PF to FreeBSD PF, which have slightly different feature sets. How to Troubleshoot the Error
man -s 5 pf.conf # on the target system
pfctl -nf /tmp/test.conf
Update the syntax to match your current system version. Consult the manual page for your specific operating system to see the supported features: man pf.conf Use code with caution. Step 3: Re-test the File Run the dry-run test again to ensure no other errors exist: sudo pfctl -nf /etc/pf.conf Use code with caution. Step 4: Load the Working Configuration pf configuration incompatible with pf program version
Check if your system binaries match your running kernel. Run the following commands to compare versions:
Depending on your operating system, specific syntax changes are notorious for causing this error. 1. The scrub Directive Changes
Follow these sequential steps to diagnose, isolate, and repair the version incompatibility error. 1. Test the Configuration File Without Loading It : Moving from OpenBSD PF to FreeBSD PF,
What is the output when you run the test command pfctl -nf /etc/pf.conf ? I can provide the exact commands for your specific system. Share public link
If you are migrating from pfSense to OPNsense (or vice versa),
Fixing the "PF Configuration Incompatible with PF Program Version" Error Step 3: Re-test the File Run the dry-run
If you manage multiple servers via configuration management tools (like Ansible or Puppet), include a validation step ( pfctl -nf ) within your deployment pipeline to test the configuration against the target system's binary version before deployment. To help find the exact syntax causing your issue, tell me:
(Note: Be careful executing this over a remote SSH connection, as dropping the firewall module can disrupt active states or trigger default-block behaviors depending on your operating system’s safety defaults). Summary Checklist
