Network Management

Getting the error "Access to the path 'C:\ProgramData\SolarWinds\Orion' is denied." when accessing the SolarWinds Platform web console

This article describes how to resolve an inaccessible SolarWinds Platform web console when getting the error "Access to the path 'C:\ProgramData\SolarWinds\Orion' is denied."

First published date

12/29/2025 4:19 PM

Last published date

1/2/2026 7:40 PM

Overview

When attempting to access the SolarWinds Platform web console, users may encounter the error "Access to the path 'C:\ProgramData\SolarWinds\Orion' is denied." This issue prevents access to the web interface and is typically observed after upgrades, changes to group policies, or modifications to server security settings. The impact is immediate: the web console becomes inaccessible, affecting all users and potentially disrupting monitoring and management operations across the environment. This error is relevant to all supported versions of the SolarWinds Platform, including Network Performance Monitor (NPM) 2024.1, 2024.2, 2024.4, 2025.1, 2025.2, and 2025.4.

Observed Error Text:

Access to the path 'C:\ProgramData\SolarWinds\Orion' is denied.
Exception Details: System.UnauthorizedAccessException: Access to the path 'C:\ProgramData\SolarWinds\Orion' is denied.
[HttpException (0x80004005): Access to the path 'C:\ProgramData\SolarWinds\Orion' is denied.]

Product section

Network Performance Monitor

Cause

The error can be caused by insufficient file system permissions on the ASP.NET process identity running the SolarWinds web application.

Resolution

Follow the steps below to grant the required permissions and restart the application.

1. Identify the IIS application pool identity

  • Open IIS Manager.
  • Select Application Pools.
  • Locate and select the SolarWinds (or relevant) application pool.
  • In the Advanced Settings, check the Identity value (for example, Network Service, ApplicationPoolIdentity, or a custom service account).

2. Open the Orion data directory

  • On the SolarWinds server, browse to:
    C:\ProgramData\SolarWinds\Orion

3. Update folder permissions

  • Right-click the Orion folder and select Properties.
  • Go to the Security tab.
  • Click Edit (or Add) to modify permissions.
  • Add the application pool identity or the service account identified in step 1.
  • Grant the account Read, Write, and Modify permissions on this folder (and subfolders, if prompted).

4. Apply changes and restart services

  • Click Apply and OK to save the permission changes.
  • In IIS Manager, restart the application pool used by SolarWinds, or restart the SolarWinds web service.

After updating the permissions and restarting the application pool/service, the ASP.NET process should be able to access the required path, and the UnauthorizedAccessException error should be resolved.

 
 
Alternatively, you may run the Orion Permissions Checker:

Check permissions using the Orion Permission Checker