How to Fix "One or More Network Protocols Are Missing on This Computer" Error in Windows 10

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The "One or more network protocols are missing on this computer" error in Windows 10 typically indicates an issue with your network settings or drivers. This problem can prevent your computer from connecting to the internet or local network, impacting your ability to browse, stream, or access online resources. This guide will provide effective solutions to resolve this network error and restore your connectivity.
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1. Restart Your Computer and Network Devices

A simple restart can often fix network-related issues.

  1. Save Your Work: Ensure all your work is saved and close any open applications.
  2. Restart Computer: Click the Start menu, select the power icon, and choose "Restart."
  3. Restart Network Devices: Power cycle your modem and router by unplugging them for 30 seconds, then plugging them back in.

2. Check Network Adapter Settings

Ensure that your network adapter settings are correctly configured.

  1. Open Network Connections: Press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
  2. Check Adapter Status: Right-click on your active network adapter and select "Properties."
  3. Check Protocols: Ensure that "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" and "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)" are checked. If not, check them and click "OK."

3. Reset TCP/IP Stack

Resetting the TCP/IP stack can resolve issues with network protocols.

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Press Windows + X and select "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)."
  2. Run Reset Command: Enter the following command and press Enter:
    netsh int ip reset
  3. Restart Your Computer: Restart your computer to apply the changes.

4. Update or Reinstall Network Drivers

Outdated or corrupt network drivers can cause protocol errors.

  1. Open Device Manager: Press Windows + X and select "Device Manager."
  2. Update Drivers: Expand the "Network adapters" section. Right-click your network adapter and select "Update driver." Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software."
  3. Reinstall Drivers: If updating doesn’t help, right-click the network adapter, select "Uninstall device," and restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.

5. Check Network Adapter Properties

Verify that your network adapter properties are configured correctly.

  1. Open Network Connections: Press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
  2. Access Adapter Properties: Right-click on your network adapter and select "Properties."
  3. Check Internet Protocol Settings: Ensure that "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" and "Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)" are set to obtain an IP address automatically. Click "Properties" for each protocol and make sure "Obtain an IP address automatically" and "Obtain DNS server address automatically" are selected.

6. Run Network Troubleshooter

Windows includes built-in troubleshooters to diagnose and fix network issues.

  1. Open Troubleshooter: Go to "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Troubleshoot."
  2. Run Troubleshooter: Select "Additional troubleshooters" and choose "Internet Connections" or "Network Adapter." Click "Run the troubleshooter" and follow the prompts.

7. Flush DNS Cache

Flushing the DNS cache can resolve network protocol issues related to domain name resolution.

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Press Windows + X and select "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)."
  2. Run Flush DNS Command: Enter the following command and press Enter:
    ipconfig /flushdns

8. Reset Network Settings

Resetting network settings can resolve issues with missing network protocols.

  1. Open Settings: Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Navigate to Network & Internet: Click on "Network & Internet."
  3. Reset Network: Scroll down and select "Network reset." Click "Reset now" and confirm the action. Restart your computer after the reset.

9. Check for Windows Updates

Installing the latest Windows updates can fix network-related bugs and improve system stability.

  1. Open Settings: Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Navigate to Update & Security: Click on "Update & Security."
  3. Check for Updates: Click "Check for updates" and install any available updates. Restart your computer to apply updates.

10. Verify Protocol Services

Ensure that the necessary network services are running.

  1. Open Services: Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
  2. Check Services: Locate "DHCP Client," "DNS Client," and "Network Connections" services. Right-click each service, select "Properties," and ensure the "Startup type" is set to "Automatic" and the service is running. Click "Start" if needed.

Conclusion

The "One or more network protocols are missing on this computer" error can disrupt your network connectivity, but these troubleshooting steps can help resolve the issue. By checking your network adapter settings, resetting network components, and ensuring your drivers and system are up to date, you can restore your network functionality. Regular maintenance and prompt attention to network issues are key to maintaining a stable and reliable internet connection. If the problem persists despite these efforts, consider seeking assistance from a professional technician or contacting Microsoft Support for further help.

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