---
updatedAt: 2025-11-11T01:52:02.000Z
agentTools:
  projectIndex: https://docs.formant.io/llms.txt
---

# Error: context deadline exceeded

# Issue details

* When looking in my agent logs, I see the following entry: `ERROR Error getting event config: connection error: Post <API method>: context deadline exceeded`
* We have full internet access and are accessing our robot through a VPN. I can access the robot through my VPN.
* Restarting the Formant agent resolves the issue for that given boot. However, I turn off the robot, the Formant agent does not restore connection, and it requires intervention.

# Troubleshooting steps

1. Navigate to `/lib/systemd/system/formant-agent.service`
2. Add `After=<<vpnservicename>>` (replace vpnservicename with the name of the vpn service)
3. Run `systemctl daemon-reload`

This would make the `formant-agent` service only start up after the vpn service and so the agent can read the actual/final network setup correctly.

# See also

* [The Formant agent](https://docs.formant.io/docs/the-formant-agent)

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