How to Fix One or More Network Protocols are Missing on This Computer on Windows 10
By Renee | 13/Dec/2024
Here is the Case: suddenly your Wi-Fi or any other Internet connection stops working. Although your computer shows that it has been connected to the Internet but no websites open in the browser and there is no sign of Internet connectivity. If you try to diagnose the issue by running built-in network troubleshooter by right-clicking on Network icon in Taskbar notification area (usually at the right-bottom of the desktop) and select Troubleshoot problems option, it throws following error message after running:
One or more network protocols are missing on this computer.
And maybe if you check the detail, you just get information:
Windows sockets registry entries required for network connectivity are missing.
Windows is just like the high school math teacher and never tends to give you the answer directly. That’s the reason why you are here, too. In this article, you will find out the solution to the issue for your Windows 10. The solution is listed from the basic to the advanced. And thus, you do not have to try all these methods, just try from the basic and stop when you figure it out.
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Solution 1 | temporarily disable your antivirus software
It does not sound a good idea to disable antivirus program on the computer, but if you disable it and thus the problem fixed, then it is the cause of connection dysfunction. After the problem fixed, you might think of changing its settings or replace the security software.
Solution 2 | Disable NetBIOS
This method could solve most of the common network problem—obtaining IP address automatically instead of using a static IP.
1. Go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network Connections.
2. Right-click your network adapter and select Properties.
3. Highlight IP v4 (TCP/IP) and choose Properties. Click Advanced.
4. Go to the WINS tab, and in NetBIOS settings section select Disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP. Click OK to save the changes.
Solution 3 | Use Command Prompt
1. Press Win + R on the keyboard, type cmd in the box and hit Enter.
2. When Command Prompt open, type netcfg -d and press Enter to run it.
3. Wait until it is finished. Restart Computer and test to see if it is solved.
Solution 4 |Use IPCONFIG Commands to Reconfigure Networking
You also need to use Command line to edit here.
1. Press Win + R on the keyboard, type cmd in the box and hit Enter.
2. Run following commands one by one. (It means type the first one in the command line, Enter. Type the next one until the last one finishes. )
netcfg -d
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /registerdns
3. Restart your computer and it should fix the issue.
Solution 5 | Fix Windows Sockets Entries in Registry Editor
1. On a normal working Windows computer, open Registry Editor (Press Win + R on the keyboard, type regedit in and press Enter.) and locate the following keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESystemCurrentControlSetServicesWinsock
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESystemCurrentControlSetServicesWinsock2
2. Export these keys and move them to a USB flash drive. (From the File drop-down menu)
3. Then go to the Windows computer with the “one or more network protocols are missing on this computer” problem, open Device Manager and uninstall the network driver.
4. Open Registry Editor and locate the following keys and delete: (you can also export them for backup)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESystemCurrentControlSetServicesWinsock
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESystemCurrentControlSetServicesWinsock2
5. Reboot your computer; insert the USB with Winsock keys from the good-working computer.
6. Go to Registry Editor again, and locate
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESystemCurrentControlSetServices
If Winsock2 key is back, delete it again.
7. Import the following keys from your USB:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESystemCurrentControlSetServicesWinsock
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESystemCurrentControlSetServicesWinsock2
8. Close Registry Editor.
9. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run netsh winsock reset command.
10. Restart your computer.
Hope at least one of these solutions should solve your problem—one or more network protocols are missing on this computer on Windows 10.