Network Management

How to Enable the WebSocket Protocol for the SolarWinds Platform

Real-time Live Updates in Intelligent Maps require the WebSocket Protocol IIS feature to be installed and enabled. When this feature is absent or disabled, Intelligent Maps fall back to less efficient transport methods, which can result in: Intelligent Maps widgets stuck on "Loading…" Live map updates failing to refresh in view mode or on NOC dashboards Pending or hung requests visible in browser developer tools

First published date

10/2/2026 5:34 PM

Last published date

10/2/2026 5:34 PM

Overview

Starting with SolarWinds Platform 2026.4, the Configuration Wizard includes a new pre-flight check that detects whether the WebSocket Protocol feature is installed on the system. If it is not installed, a warning is displayed before the upgrade completes, prompting administrators to take action.

 

When Is This Required?

Enable the WebSocket Protocol if:

  • The pre-flight check in the Configuration Wizard (2026.4 or later) reports that WebSocket is not installed or enabled.

  • Intelligent Maps do not load, display a persistent "Loading…" state, or fail to show real-time updates on a NOC summary view or dashboard.

  • You are deploying a new SolarWinds Platform environment and want to ensure all features operate at full capability.

Note: The pre-flight check is displayed only during upgrade scenarios. It is not shown on fresh installations.

Prerequisites

  • Administrator access to the SolarWinds Platform server(s).

  • Access to Server Manager on each Windows Server hosting a SolarWinds web component.

  • The feature must be enabled on all servers that serve the SolarWinds web console: the Main Polling Engine and any Additional Web Servers or High Availability servers.

Product section

Orion Platform

Resolution

How to Enable the WebSocket Protocol

Perform the following steps on the Main Polling Engine and on every Additional Web Server (or HA pair member) in your deployment.

 

Windows Server

Option A — GUI (Server Manager)

  1. Open Server Manager.

  2. Go to Manage → Add Roles and Features.

  3. Click Next until you reach:
    Server Roles → Web Server (IIS) → Web Server → Application Development.

  4. Select WebSocket Protocol.

     
    image-20260624-110056.png

  5. Complete the installation.

Option B — PowerShell

Run PowerShell as Administrator:

 
Install-WindowsFeature Web-WebSockets

Windows

Option A — GUI

  1. Open Control Panel → Programs → Turn Windows features on or off.

  2. Expand Internet Information Services → World Wide Web Services → Application Development Features.

  3. Select WebSocket Protocol.

  4. Click OK and wait for the installation to complete.

Option B — PowerShell

Run PowerShell as Administrator:

 
Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName IIS-WebSockets -All

After installing the WebSocket Protocol, verify that Live Updates is enabled:

  1. Log in to the SolarWinds Platform Web Console as an administrator.

  2. Navigate to the Advanced Configuration page:

    https://<YourOrionServer>/Orion/admin/advancedconfiguration/global.aspx

  3. Search for LiveUpdatesEnabled.

  4. Under Maps.Settings, ensure LiveUpdatesEnabled is checked.

  5. Click Save.

  6. Reload the affected map or NOC summary view and verify that maps load and update correctly.