How to Fix "LuLu's Network Extension Is Not Running" on Mac

If you're encountering the message

LuLu's Network Extension Is Not Running. Extensions must be manually approved via Security & Privacy System Preferences

when trying to open LuLu on your Mac, don't worry! This guide will walk you through the steps to manually approve the extension via System Preferences.

What is LuLu?

LuLu is a free, open-source firewall for macOS that aims to block unauthorized outgoing connections. It uses a network extension to monitor and control these connections, which sometimes requires manual approval from the user.

Steps to Approve LuLu's Network Extension

Follow these steps to enable LuLu's network extension:

1. Open System Settings:

   • Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Settings.

2. Navigate to Login Items & Extensions:

   • In the System Settings sidebar, click on General.
   • Scroll down and select Login Items & Extensions.

3. Locate Network Extensions:

   • Under the Extensions section, find Network Extensions.
   • Click on the (i) button next to it to access more details.

4. Enable LuLu:

   • If LuLu is listed, toggle it on. If it does not appear, you may need to run another application that uses network extensions (like DNSMonitor) from the Terminal to trigger the approval prompt.

5. Authenticate Changes:

   • You might be prompted to enter your administrator password to authorize changes.

6. Restart LuLu:

   • After enabling the extension, restart LuLu to ensure it is running properly.

Additional Troubleshooting

If you do not see LuLu in the Network Extensions list, consider running DNSMonitor as a workaround. Here’s how:

1. Download DNSMonitor from GitHub.
2. Open Terminal and execute the following commands:

bash
   cd /Applications/DNSMonitor.app/Contents/MacOS/
   ./DNSMonitor