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: 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:- 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. Reset Winstock
netsh winsock reset
2. Disable IPv6
- Launch Settings and navigate to Network & Internet
- Scroll down to the bottom, click on Change Adapter OptionsClick Change Adapter Settings
- Right-click the current adapter and click
PropertiesClick Properties
- Uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6 [TCP/IPv6]
- Then, click OKDisabling IPv6
- 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:
- Press the Win key and type Control Panel
- Go to Network & Internet and click Network and Sharing Center
- Click Change Adapter SettingsNavigate to Adapter Settings
- Right-click the current network adapter
- Click Disable and then click EnableDisabling and Enabling Network Adapter
- 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:
- Launch Control Panel and follow the below path
Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network and Sharing Center
- Click Change Adapter SettingsGo to Adapter Settings
- Right-click the adapter and click
Properties
- Click Install, then select Protocol, then click Add
- Click Have Disk, then click BrowseAdding a New Protocol
- Navigate to the following path
C:\Windows\INF
Selecting Directory - Once done, click OK
- Select Internet Protocol [TCP/IP] – Tunnels
- Then, click OK
- If you receive an error similar Could Not Add The requested Feature
- Then, follow one more step:-
- Launch the Run Window by pressing the Win + R
- Type Regedit
and click OKOpening Registry Editor
- Follow the below directory
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\safer\codeidentifiers\0\Paths
- On the right pane, right-click the Paths and click Delete
- 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.
- To reset Network Settings, type Command Prompt from Start Menu
- Right-click the terminal
and choose Run As AdministratorOpening Command Prompt In Administrator Mode
- 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
- 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:
- Right-click the Start Menu and click Device ManagerOpening Device Manager
- Open Device Manager and right-click the current network adapter
- Click Uninstall Device, then restart your computer to install the network driverUninstalling Network Driver
- 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:
- Click Start Menu and type
appwiz.cplGo to Programs & Features
- Hit Enter to open Control Panel Programs & Features
- Right-click the Antivirus and click UninstallUninstalling Third-Party Antivirus
- 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:
- 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. - Locate Wireless Mode or Mode and change it to 802.11g, or elseChanging Wireless Mode
- Click Save and check if the error persists.
Kamil is a certified MCITP, CCNA [W], CCNA [S] and a former British Computer Society Member with over 9 years of experience Configuring, Deploying and Managing Switches, Firewalls and Domain Controllers also an old-school still active on FreeNode.