How to delete a route on a specific interface?

Question

When I start a VPN connection, a new default route is added on the utun0 interface:

Destination        Gateway            Flags        Refs      Use   Netif Expire
default            utun0              UCS            21        0   utun0
default            192.168.43.1       UGScI          14        0     en1

I'd like to get rid of the default/utun0 route. When using route with the -ifscope modifier, I get the following error:

$ sudo route delete -ifscope utun0 -net 0.0.0.0
route: writing to routing socket: not in table
delete net 0.0.0.0: not in table

What am I doing wrong? What's the correct syntax of the route command in order to delete the default route?

Before doing this. Keep in mind that it is a dangerous command if you are accessing your server online ! ;) — eVoxmusic, May 16 '12 at 11:40
Telling the VPN clinet not to create the route sounds a lot cleaner to me. The native pptp client can be configured [like this](http://justamemo.com/2007/06/14/how-not-to-use-default-gateway-on-vpn-pptp-in-mac-osx/). Are you using a different client? — Nitz, Aug 13 '14 at 08:04
In macOS Monterey the following is working: `sudo route delete -ifscope utun0 default`. — Jaime Hablutzel, Jan 18 '22 at 03:23

score 8 · Answer 1 · answered Aug 13 '14 at 05:44

8

$ sudo route delete -net 0.0.0.0 -ifp ppp0
delete net 0.0.0.0

This is documented in route(8)

answered Aug 13 '14 at 05:44

sigjuice

197
1
5

score 8 · Answer 2 · answered Nov 11 '14 at 05:09

I know it's late, but I'd like to know what kind of VPN you're using.

I've had this problem with Cisco Anyconnect VPN.

Not seeing the same error as you, but the command would appear to execute, but the routing table would still look the same.

I believe Cisco AnyConnect locks the routing table in some way so that it cannot be modified.

If this isn't Cisco AnyConnect, it may do something similar. I haven't found any documentation on it, but that's the conclusion I've come to from my testing.

I've found this also appears to apply on Windows.

Cheers, Aaron

It's Cisco. Our network topology changed, so I cannot verify the answers. — mgryszko, Nov 12 '14 at 07:12

score 2 · Answer 3 · answered Feb 12 '14 at 17:20

2

You can try this:

sudo route delete -net default utun0

answered Feb 12 '14 at 17:20

Camille Le Mouëllic

141
4

score 1 · Answer 4 · answered May 16 '12 at 09:08

1

Not in front of a Mac right now, off the top of my head try;

sudo route del default dev utun0

answered May 16 '12 at 09:08

jwbensley

4,122
11
57
89

Sorry, but it's not working. I tried also with `sudo route delete default -ifscope utun0`, but still without success – mgryszko May 16 '12 at 12:06

3bdalla · Answer 5 · 2015-01-30T11:28:47.833

1

Try route del default wlp2s0. Where wlp2s0 is the interface name. This command deletes the first default gateway on the specific interface you provide to the command.

edited Jan 30 '15 at 11:28

answered Jan 29 '15 at 07:26

3bdalla

129
1
8

Yes. Downvotes again for no reason, no explanation, just a downvote !! – 3bdalla Jan 29 '15 at 21:09
Try adding an explanation of exactly what your answer does and why you believe it will solve the problem. – fukawi2 Jan 30 '15 at 05:52
You have a good point, although does not promote to be a downvote. I updated my answer. – 3bdalla Jan 30 '15 at 11:29

How to delete a route on a specific interface?

5 Answers5