Basically, network protocols are the set of rules that defines how your computer communicates over a network. There are several types of protocols (TCP/IP, HTTP, ICMP, SNMP, etc.), each having different purposes for communication, management, and security. Hence, you might face internet instability issues if even one goes missing. The error is usually accompanied by the message, “Windows sockets registry entries required for network connectivity are missing.” This indicates that the Windows Sockets API is probably corrupted.
Possible Causes of the Network Protocols Error
Most users claim to encounter this error when upgrading to Windows 10 Tech Preview. But, this can still appear on other versions of Windows as well.
How to Fix “One or More Network Protocols Are Missing” Error?
Whether you’re connected to the network via ethernet or Wi-Fi, the protocol missing error can pop up on either of them. Some users claim to experience this problem even when their PC has a stable internet connection, but the browser displays, “Your Connection Was Interrupted. A Network Change Was Detected.”
Reenable Network Device
You may have already tried reenabling the network device. But did you disable it, restart your PC, and then turn it back on? Since most Windows users claim to have fixed the error that way, we recommend trying out this simple method first:
Set up a Local Administrator Account
You may encounter the “One or More Network Protocols Are Missing on This Computer” error if your user account is corrupted. It can happen if you’re using a local account and previously tweaked specific settings from your system administrator. Therefore, we recommend using an administrator account to check if the error exists here. But if you have no idea what administrative and standard accounts are, kindly follow the below steps that should help you set up one:
Run Dedicated Troubleshooters
Fortunately, Windows has dedicated troubleshooters to fix corrupted or misconfigured settings that could be causing errors. For “One or More Network Protocols Are Missing on This Computer,” we recommend running the Internet Connections and Network Adapter troubleshooters:
Check Problems Within Antivirus
Once you’re connected to the internet, you’ll likely be exposed to viruses, spyware, or other forms of malware. Installing third-party antivirus includes security protocols that usually provide additional security to your computer. To know whether the antivirus software is the culprit, we recommend disabling it temporarily. Now, check if the Windows Network Diagnostic still shows the same error. If it does, you might want to disable the internet security setting (for example, HTTPS Scanning on Avast). But if that didn’t help, we suggest uninstalling the app or switching to another antivirus software.
Manually Install Network Protocols
If neither of the four fixes worked for you, we recommend manually installing the missing network protocols. This is a pretty straightforward process that should assist you in getting rid of the “One or More Network Protocols Are Missing on This Computer” error:
Reinstall Network Drivers
If installing protocols manually didn’t help, you probably get the network protocol error message due to a corrupted network adapter. Here’s a quick workaround to fix this:
Try Resetting Network Components
Since corrupted Winsock API is one of the prime causes of “One or More Network Protocols Are Missing on This Computer,” we recommend resetting the catalog. This will correct all the invalid entries and might solve your problem. Below is the complete guide on how to do just that:
Disable NetBIOS Over TCP/IP
NetBIOS over TCP/IP is only required for legacy applications requiring API to function. Moreover, if you have enabled it on IPv4, it will harm the network performance rather than do good. So, we recommend disabling this protocol to see if this solves the network protocol error:
Try Disabling Proxy & VPN
Although proxy servers and VPNs are great for enhancing user privacy and bypassing firewalls, they can still cause interference with the network protocols. If you’re connected to the internet with either of them enabled, you may sometimes notice that specific sites don’t load. Follow the below steps on how to disable them:
Import Winsock Keys From Another PC
If none of the fixes helped you, you’d need to import the Winsock keys from a completely fine computer. In this method, we remove the corrupt Winsock key on the troublesome PC and replace it with the working one from another computer. Kindly follow the below instructions to import winsock keys from another PC to resolve the “One or More Network Protocols Are Missing on This Computer” error:
Perform System Restore
Even if importing Winsock keys from another computer didn’t help you, your operating system is probably corrupted. So, we recommend performing a system restore to get back to the point when you didn’t face the “One or More Network Protocols Are Missing on This Computer” error:
