Pf Configuration Incompatible With Pf Program Version Site

(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

The "PF configuration incompatible with PF program version" error typically occurs in environments using , common in OpenBSD, FreeBSD, and macOS, when the pfctl utility (the program) and the kernel (the running configuration) are out of sync. Potential Causes

# /etc/pf.conf include "/etc/pf.conf.$PF_VERSION" pf configuration incompatible with pf program version

If you compile your operating system or kernel from source, keeping the source tree out of sync will trigger this error. For example, if your /usr/src directory contains source code for a newer version of the OS, and you compile and install pfctl without compiling and booting the corresponding new kernel, the version definitions will conflict. 3. FreeBSD Jails and Virtualization

pfctl -si | grep Version

The primary cause of this error is a mismatch between the pf configuration file and the pf program version. This can occur in several scenarios:

If this command works but loading the rules fails with the version error, the issue is definitely a kernel/binary mismatch. Getting Started - OpenBSD PF (Note: Be careful executing this over a remote

The pf configuration incompatible with pf program version error is rarely a broken config file; it is usually a cry for help from an out-of-sync system. Aligning your userland utilities with your running kernel version via a clean reboot or system update will resolve the conflict in most scenarios.

Before fixing, collect diagnostic information. The commands below assume FreeBSD/macOS (adjust paths for your Unix-like OS). For example, if your /usr/src directory contains source

macOS ships with its own PF version. Avoid installing a separate pfctl via Homebrew. Check which you are using: