Missing Protocol Windows 10

These protocols are the ones that made sure that the data is correctly sent between computers. However, if any of the Network Protocol is missing in your Windows 10 computer, then you will most likely encounter a problem like not being able to browse the internet, or share files. For this, you can try to run the Incoming Connections troubleshooter. If you have updated your machine from Windows 7/8/8.1 to Windows 10, there is a chance of missing some media features pack files. I request you to download media feature pack for N and KN version. In one word you need to install MTP protocol which related to the Windows Media Player and running with N and KN version of windows edition. Windows 10 Network Protocol Error: Missing Windows Sockets Registry Entries By Corey October 5, 2020 No Comments My colleagues work computer running Windows 10 began to lose Internet access from time to time (once in 2-3 days with the Limited connection status in the tray).

Before any of the steps below are attempted, verify your network card is installed and has no errors or conflictions in Device Manager. If your network card has errors, see: Basic network troubleshooting.

Keep in mind that the three most common protocols used on the majority of all computers are TCP/IP, IPX/SPX and NetBEUI. It is very unlikely that any other network protocol needs to be installed. Finally, it is common for a computer to have all three of these protocols installed at the same time. Installing one or more different protocols does not cause issues with a computer.

Select the version of Windows on your computer from the list below and follow the steps to add or install a protocol.

Windows 8 and 10

  1. Open the Control Panel.
  2. Click the Network and Sharing Center option.
  3. Click the link for the Connection type used on your computer. For example, if you have a wired network connection, the link may be named 'Ethernet.'
  1. Click the Properties button.
  2. If the protocol is listed, it is not missing. If you want to reinstall the protocol, highlight the protocol and click the Uninstall button, reboot the computer, and then continue with the steps below.
  3. If the protocol is not listed, click the Install button.
  4. Select the protocol to install and click OK. If this is a corporate network, and you're unfamiliar with the network, first attempt to install the protocol. If this does not work, we recommend you contact the network administrator or your corporate help desk for additional assistance.
  5. Once the protocol installation has completed, unless you want to install additional protocols, reboot the computer.

Windows Vista and 7

  1. Open the Control Panel.
  2. Click the Network and Sharing Center option.
  3. Click the link for the Connection type used on your computer. For example, if you have a wired network connection, the link may be named 'Local Area Connection.'
  4. Click the Properties button.
  5. If the protocol is listed, it is not missing. If you want to reinstall the protocol, highlight the protocol and click the Uninstall button, reboot the computer, and then continue with the steps below.
  6. If the protocol is not listed, click the Install button.
  7. Select the protocol to install and click OK. If this is a corporate network and you're unfamiliar with the network, attempt first to install the protocol. If this does not work, we recommend you contact the network administrator or your corporate help desk for additional assistance.
  8. Once the protocol installation has completed, unless you want to install additional protocols, reboot the computer.

Windows ME, 2000, and XP

  1. Open the Control Panel.
  2. Double-click the Network and Dial-up connections option.
  3. Double-click on the Local Area Connection entry.
  4. Click the Properties button.
  5. If the protocol is installed, the protocol should be listed by the installed network adapter. If the protocol is listed, it is not missing. If you want to reinstall the protocol, highlight the protocol and click the remove button, reboot the computer, and then continue with the steps below.
Note

Do not confuse the network adapter with the dial-up adapter.

  1. If the protocol is not listed, click the Add or Install button.
  2. Select the protocol to install and click OK. If this is a corporate network and you're unfamiliar with the network, attempt first to install the protocol. If this does not work, we recommend you contact the network administrator or your corporate help desk for additional assistance.
  3. Once the protocol installation has completed, unless you want to install additional protocols, reboot the computer.

Windows 95 and 98

  1. Open the Control Panel.
  2. Double-click the Network option.
  3. If the protocol is installed, the protocol should be listed by the installed network adapter. If the protocol is listed, it is not missing. If you want to reinstall the protocol, highlight the protocol and click the remove button, reboot the computer, and then continue with the steps below.
Note

Do not confuse the network adapter with the dial-up adapter.

  1. If the protocol is not listed, click the Add button.
  2. Select Microsoft as the manufacturer. If this is a corporate network and you're unfamiliar with the network, attempt first to install the protocol as a Microsoft protocol. If this does not work, we recommend you contact the network administrator or your corporate help desk for additional assistance.
  3. Under the network protocol, select the protocol you want to install, either TCP/IP, IPX/SPX or NetBEUI, unless you are attempting to install a different protocol.
  4. Once the protocol installation has completed, unless you want to install additional protocols, reboot the computer.

Additional information

  • See our protocol definition for further information and related links.

How To Fix 'Network Protocol Missing' Problem On Windows 10

The word protocol is derived from the Greek 'protocollon', meaning a leaf of paper glued to a manuscript volume that describes the contents. Network protocols are something we use via computer systems every day, maybe every minute, even if we are not sure exactly what they are. Network protocols are procedures and formats that define communication between two or more devices over a network. They include mechanisms for devices to identify and make connections with each other, specifying how data is packaged into messages sent and received. Network protocols must be confirmed and installed by both sender and receiver to ensure network or data communication. There are many protocols in use extensively in networking, and they are often implemented in different layers. Without network protocols, instant messages would not be delivered to your friends, emails would not reach their destinations, and websites would not appear on your screen.

When a network protocol (or more that one protocol) is missing from your computer, an error such as 'One or more network protocols are missing on this computer' error occurs when running Windows Network Diagnostics. This appears when your system cannot connect to the Internet and you click the 'Diagnose' button. This might be a fault of your Internet Service Provider, but if other devices on the same network are working properly (and connecting to the Internet), then it is probably an issue with your computer. If a network protocol is missing, you will probably be unable to share files or data between network computers, or unable to access the Internet at all. In this article we show how you can recover your Internet connection.

Table of Contents:

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Restore Default Settings

One option is to reset network protocols to their default settings by resetting the TCP/IP stack. The TCP/IP stack is a complete set of networking protocols. To reset it, use commands within Command Prompt. Firstly, to open Command Prompt, type 'command prompt' in Search and right-click on the result. Select 'Run as administrator' from the drop-down menu to run it with administrator privileges.

Now, type these two commands (pressing Enter after each): 'netsh int ip set dns' and 'netsh winsock reset'. Then, exit Command Prompt by typing 'exit' and pressing Enter, or simply close the Command Prompt window and check if this has helped to solve the problem.

Reinstall Your Network Adapter Driver

You may get the 'Network protocol is missing' error due to a faulty network driver. You can try to uninstall the network adapter driver and then let your Windows 10 operating system reinstall it automatically the next time you start Windows. To uninstall your network adapter driver, to go to Device Manager. Type 'device manager' in Search and click the 'Device Manager' result.

In the Device Manager window, find 'Network adapters', expand it, right-click on your network device, and then choose 'Uninstall' from the drop-down menu.

You will be asked to confirm the uninstallation. Click 'OK'. Mark the 'Delete the driver software for this device' checkbox if you see one.

You will need to restart your PC for the changes to take effect. Restart your computer and see if this has helped to solve the problem.

Restore Network Components

This may be the easiest way to fix the 'Network protocol is missing' problem by executing commands in Command Prompt. First, open Command Prompt by typing 'command prompt' in Search and right-click on 'Command Prompt'. Select 'Run as administrator' to run it with administrator privileges. In the Command Prompt window, type 'ipconfig /release' and press Enter to execute. Then, type 'ipconfig /flushdns' and 'ipconfig /renew' commands, pressing Enter after each.

Then, exit Command Prompt by typing 'exit' and pressing Enter or simply close the Command Prompt window. Check if this has helped to solve the problem.

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Disable NetBIOS

NetBIOS is an acronym for Network Basic Input/Output System. It provides services related to the session layer of the OSI model, allowing applications on separate computers to communicate over a Local Area Network (LAN). It is possible that disabling NetBIOS will fix the 'Network protocol is missing' issue on your computer. First, open Control Panel by typing 'control panel' in Search.

In the Control Panel window, click 'Network and Internet'.

Once you are in the Network and Internet window, select 'Network and Sharing Center'.

You will see your Internet access type and connection near the top-right corner. Click on it.

Network Protocol Missing Error Windows 10

You will see your connection status window. Click on 'Properties'.

In the network connection Properties window, find 'Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)'. Select (highlight) it and click 'Properties'.

In the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties window, click 'Advanced'.

In the Advanced TCP/IP Settings window, click 'WINS' tab and select 'Disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP'. Click 'OK' to save these changes and check if the problem is solved.

You can also attempt to resolve the 'Network protocol is missing' problem by choosing to obtain IP addresses automatically, rather than using a static IP address. You can manage this following identical steps. In the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties window, select the 'Obtain and IP address automatically' option if it is not already set to this.

Import Winsock Keys

For this solution, you must use a computer that does not have the same connectivity problem. If you are using Windows 10 on a computer with a network problem, you do not need to have Windows 10 on the other machine (it can be earlier versions of Windows such as Windows 8 or Windows 7).

Windows 10 App Protocols

This solution includes modifying the system registry. The Microsoft Registry Editor (regedit.exe) enables you to view, search for, and change settings in your system registry, which contains information about how your computer runs. Follow these steps carefully to avoid damaging your operating system. Open Registry Editor on the computer that does not have the 'Network protocol missing' error. To open Registry Editor, type 'run' in Search.

In the Run dialog box type 'regedit' and click OK to open Registry Editor.

Once Registry Editor is opened, follow this path: 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Services/', expand Services catalog to find 'Winsock' and 'Winsock 2', and right-click on both to export them by selecting 'Export' from the drop-down menu. Name the registry files and locate where you wish to save them. Then, copy or move them onto your USB drive.

When registry files are copied into your USB drive, access the computer that has network issues. Uninstall the network driver from, open Registry Editor again, and then look for 'Winsock' and 'Winsock2' catalogs under 'Service' catalog using the same path as we mentioned before ('HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Services/'). Delete these two catalogs by right-clicking on both and selecting 'Delete' from the drop-down menu. In case you need these original registry keys, back them up by exporting. Restart your computer when finished.

When your operating system is restarted, go to the 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/System/CurrentControlSet/Services/' location and import the keys stored on your USB drive into this location, and then close Registry Editor. Open Command Prompt by typing 'command prompt' in Search and right-click on the 'Command Prompt' result. Select 'Run as administrator' to run it with administrator privileges.

In the Command Prompt window, type in the following command: 'netsh winsock reset' and press Enter on your keyboard to execute it. Close Command Prompt and restart your computer. Check if this has helped to solve the 'Network protocol missing' problem.

Restart Your Router

In none of the above steps help you to solve the problem, try restarting your router. Simply turn it off, and then on again. You can also try resetting your router - this will restore your router to the factory settings. Use the 'Reset' button on your router to do this (usually on the back).

Network Time Protocol Windows 10

We hope that these methods resolved your network problem and you are now able to access the Internet.

Repair Network Protocols Windows 10

Video Showing How To Fix Network Protocol Missing Problem: