Fix: One or More Network Protocols are Missing on this Computer

One or more network protocols are missing on this computer error only occurs while trying to troubleshoot the network, and Windows socket entries required for network connectivity are corrupted or missing.

Below we have outlined some of the factors causing this error:

• Enabled IPv6- IPv6 is the next version of the internet protocol version 4. The affected users have reported and confirmed that IPv6 is the reason for this error in many scenarios.
• Corrupted Network Drivers- If you have a network driver with corrupted files or components, your network won’t be able to function properly and will introduce many connectivity and stability issues unless you reinstall the network driver.
• Misconfigured Network configuration- Proper network configurations are required for a stable internet connection. You will be prone to this error if the network configurations are misconfigured due to a human error or any third-party application.
• 802.11b+g+n is set as Wireless Mode- Your network router’s wireless mode determines which devices can connect to the WAP for the best stability and connectivity possible. Several users have fixed this error by changing their wireless mode to 802.11g.

1. Reset Winstock

Winstock is a programming application that allows other network applications to access network services. Sometimes, the Windows Network API can get corrupted, which can cause this error. Therefore, try resetting Winstock by following the steps below:-

1. Click Start Menu or press Win Key, type Command Prompt
2. Right-click the terminal and choose Run As Administrator
   

   

3. Copy the below command and paste it into the terminal

   netsh winsock reset

   

4. Hit Enter and restart the computer to check if the issue is fixed.

2. Disable IPv6

IPv6 is a new internet protocol from Microsoft that was introduced to improve performance by handling the packets more efficiently. In many scenarios, IPv6 performs better than IPv4. However, you are more prone to this issue when using IPv6. Therefore, try disabling the IPv6 by following the steps mentioned below:

1. Launch Settings and navigate to Network & Internet
   
2. Scroll down to the bottom, click on Change Adapter Options
   

   

3. Right-click the current adapter and click Properties
   

   

4. Uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)
5. Then, click OK
   

   

6. Once done, check if the issue is fixed.

3. Enable Adapter

If, for some reason, your adapter has been disabled by a third-party application or accidentally by you, your internet won’t work, and it can trigger this error. You can fix this error by enabling the network adapter. Follow the instructions below to do so:

1. Press the Win key and type Control Panel
2. Go to Network & Internet and click Network and Sharing Center
3. Click Change Adapter Settings
   

   

4. Right-click the current network adapter
5. Click Disable and then click Enable
   

   

6. Once done, check if the error is fixed.

4. Reinstall TCP/IP

TCP or Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol delivers data when the IP address is found. If the issue persists due to a problem with TCP/IP, reinstalling the TCP/IP will fix this issue. Follow the steps:

1. Launch Control Panel and follow the below path

   Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network and Sharing Center

2. Click Change Adapter Settings
   

   

3. Right-click the adapter and click Properties
4. Click Install, then select Protocol, then click Add
5. Click Have Disk, then click Browse
   

   

6. Navigate to the following path

   C:\Windows\INF

   

7. Once done, click OK
8. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) – Tunnels
9. Then, click OK
10. If you receive an error similar Could Not Add The requested Feature
11. Then, follow one more step:-
12. Launch the Run Window by pressing the Win + R
13. Type Regedit and click OK
    

    

14. Follow the below directory
    

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\safer\codeidentifiers\0\Paths

15. On the right pane, right-click the Paths and click Delete
16. Once done, do the same method and check if it fixes the issue.

5. Reset Network Settings Via Command Prompt

Misconfigured Network settings can often produce this error. A properly configured network connection provides more stability than the misconfigured settings like DNS and Proxy. First, ensure you do not have any bad proxy settings enabled, as it can disconnect you from the internet and will cause this error.

You can also reset the network settings by following the steps composed in this article.

1. To reset Network Settings, type Command Prompt from Start Menu
2. Right-click the terminal and choose Run As Administrator
   

   

3. Paste the following commands one by one and press Enter

   ipconfig /flushdns
   ipconfig /registerdns
   ipconfig /release
   ipconfig /renew
   netsh winsock reset catalog
   netsh int ipv4 reset reset.log
   netsh int ipv6 reset reset.log
   pause
   shutdown /r

4. Once done, check if the issue is fixed.

6. Re-install Network Driver

The error is often produced due to corrupted and defective driver files, as they play the leading role in providing a stable and uninterrupted internet connection. To avoid this, try reinstalling the network driver as mentioned below:

1. Right-click the Start Menu and click Device Manager
   

   

2. Open Device Manager and right-click the current network adapter
3. Click Uninstall Device, then restart your computer to install the network driver

   

4. Once done, check if the error is resolved.

7. Uninstall Third-Party Antivirus

Some users have claimed that they have encountered this error while using third-party-antivirus software. Hence, if you use any third-party antivirus software, try disabling or uninstalling it to see if the error persists. If that does not work, try disabling Windows defender. Below are the steps:

1. Click Start Menu and type appwiz.cpl
   

   

2. Hit Enter to open Control Panel Programs & Features
   
3. Right-click the Antivirus and click Uninstall
   

   

4. Once done, check if the issue persists.

8. Change Wireless Mode to 802.11g

There is an option for changing wireless mode to 802.11g in router settings, which supports WLAN among computers and other devices. It is similar to 802.11b+g+n, selected by default for most routers. According to some users, changing the wireless mode to 802.11g has fixed their issue. Here are the steps:

1. Launch Browser and type your router IP address, which is used to login into the administrator panel
   Note: If you don’t know the router’s IP address, execute the ipconfig in the command prompt to copy Default Gateway. Once done, paste it into the browser.
2. Locate Wireless Mode or Mode and change it to 802.11g, or else

   

3. Click Save and check if the error persists.