PF Configuration Incompatible with PF Program Version: Causes and Solutions
Version Mismatch: You are using a version of the pfctl binary that is newer or older than the pf kernel module. This often happens after a partial system upgrade where the userland tools were updated but the system wasn't rebooted to load the new kernel. pf configuration incompatible with pf program version
Run:
If you are managing BSD firewalls (pfSense, OPNsense, or stock FreeBSD/OpenBSD), encountering the error pf configuration incompatible with pf program version is a moment of high stress. It usually appears during a firewall upgrade or when attempting to restore a backup configuration to new hardware. up to parity with the more advanced OpenBSD version [5]
Output example:
Custom Kernel Compilation: You compiled a custom kernel with a different PF version than the one installed in your /sbin directory. or stock FreeBSD/OpenBSD)
freebsd-version -kru | uniq
up to parity with the more advanced OpenBSD version [5]. This major overhaul significantly changes the configuration syntax and internal API, making cross-version compatibility highly unlikely during the transition. Failed Upgrades : If an OS upgrade (like those described in the FreeBSD Handbook