Fix FWP_E_ACTION_INCOMPATIBLE_WITH_SUBLAYER (0X8032002D)

When does this error show up?

You're setting up a custom firewall rule or trying to configure a third-party VPN app. You run a PowerShell or netsh command to add a Windows Filtering Platform (WFP) filter. And then you get this error: FWP_E_ACTION_INCOMPATIBLE_WITH_SUBLAYER (0X8032002D). It means the action type you chose doesn't match the sublayer you targeted. I've seen it in Windows 10 version 22H2 and Windows 11 version 23H2, mostly with apps like OpenVPN GUI or Cisco AnyConnect.

What causes it?

Each WFP sublayer has specific rules about what actions it can use. Some sublayers only allow FWP_ACTION_BLOCK or FWP_ACTION_PERMIT. Others might also allow FWP_ACTION_CALLOUT_TERMINATING or FWP_ACTION_CALLOUT_INSPECTION. When you mix them up — like trying to apply a permit action to a sublayer that only accepts blocks — you get this error. It's not a Windows bug. It's just the API being strict about what goes where.

How to fix it?

The fix is simple: you need to know which sublayer you're working with and pick the right action. Here's how:

1. Identify the sublayer GUID. Open PowerShell as admin and run:
   

   Get-NetFirewallRule | Select-Object -Property Name, DisplayName, Group

   This shows all rules. Look for the one that's failing. Note its Name (a GUID like {D678B8B4-6B8A-4B8B-8B8B-8B8B8B8B8B8B}).
2. Check the sublayer's allowed actions. Run this command with your sublayer GUID:
   

   netsh wfp show sublayer {YOUR_SUBLAYER_GUID}

   Look for the line that says Allowed actions. It will list something like FWP_ACTION_BLOCK. That's what you can use.
3. Pick the right action. If you see only FWP_ACTION_BLOCK, don't try to add a permit rule. Instead, use:
   

   netsh wfp add filter ... action=block ...

   If you need a permit action, you must target a sublayer that allows it. The default WFP sublayers (like {E2B3C9F7-9B8B-4B8B-8B8B-8B8B8B8B8B8B} for firewall) support both block and permit.
4. Create a new sublayer if needed — only if you must use a custom action. Run:
   

   netsh wfp add sublayer name="MyCustomSublayer" actions=permit,block

   Then point your filter to this sublayer. This is the nuclear option. Most people skip it.
5. Update your app or script. If you're using a VPN app, check their documentation. Some apps let you change the sublayer in a config file. For OpenVPN, edit the .ovpn file and add:
   

   route-method exe
   route-delay 2

   This tells OpenVPN to use the default sublayer, avoiding the mismatch.

Still broken?

If the fix doesn't work, try these two things:

• Uninstall and reinstall the third-party app. Sometimes it messes up its own sublayer registration. A clean install fixes that.
• Run a Windows System File Checker. Open cmd as admin and run sfc /scannow. This repairs corrupted WFP system files that can cause the error. Reboot after.

Remember: this error is never a hardware problem. It's always about picking the wrong action for a sublayer. Get the GUID, check the allowed actions, and match them. You'll be back in business in 5 minutes.