How to fix
One or more network protocols are missing error
on Windows

Hello, I'm having some issues when using the internet, so I hope that you could help me. Each time when I’m trying to open websites, I’m informed that the connection has timed out. Then I used Troubleshoot Problems function on WiFi settings, which gave me the answer, “One or more network protocols are missing.” I don’t know what does that means and what I should do to fix that. Could you please help me?

"One or more network protocols are missing," or better known as "Network Protocol missing," are relatively common errors that users encounter when they are trying to access the internet either by using WiFi or Ethernet connections.[ref en-1] In most cases, users encounter this issue after clicking on the "Diagnose" button at the bottom-right corner of their screens on Windows computers, which prompts a scan via Windows Network Diagnostics (Network Troubleshooter).

To understand One or more network protocols are missing error, one must first understand what a network protocol is. A network protocol is one of the most crucial components when it comes to internet usage - everyone uses it continually without even realizing it. Network protocol simply defines how two or more different device communicates over a provided network. To ensure proper data communication, both parties (senders and receivers) should have adequate protocols installed for the connection to be successful.

Therefore, if one of such protocols is not installed on the receiver computer, a "One or more network protocols are missing" error can occur, preventing users from accessing all websites via Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or another web browser. Now, this can be frustrating, to say the least, as this basically means that users are unable to use the internet normally. Thus, there is a need to fix One or more network protocols are missing error as soon as possible - we can help you with that.

When users encounter the One or more network protocols are missing error, they are informed that the Connection has Timed-out. After running Network diagnostics, they are presented with the following information:

Windows Network Diagnostics

Issues found

One or more network protocols are missing on this computer
Restore network protocols to default settings

Issues found

One or more network protocols are missing on this computer
Windows Sockets registry entries required for network connectivity are missing

Troubleshooters[ref en-2] are great at pointing users towards One or more network protocols are missing on this computer fix, although not many know where how to perform these steps. In other words, while Troubleshooters are great tools to diagnose Windows problems, they cannot fix them all the time, and users need to perform them manually.

Talking about automatic repairs, we highly advise you using [d1] - this tool can fix many Windows-related errors within just a few minutes. If that did not work, proceed with manual solutions below - at least one of them should help you fix One or more network protocols are missing error.

Fix 1. Reset TCP/IP via Command Prompt

As mentioned within the error, setting network protocols to default can help you fix One or more network protocols are missing error. For that, access administrator Command Prompt:

• Open Windows search and type cmd
• Right-click on Command Prompt result and select Run as administrator
• In the new window, type in the following command, pressing Enter after:

  netsh winsock reset

• Restart your computer

  

Fix 2. Set IPv4 to obtain DNS and IP automatically

This is a fix that helped most users to fix the issue - change adapter options to detect IP/DNS[ref en-3] automatically:

• Right-click on Start button and select Network Connections
• On the right side of the window, click on Change adapter options
• In this window, right-click on the connection you are using and pick Properties
• Click on Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) once and then select Properties
• Select Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server automatically options

  

• Click OK

Fix 3. Disable IPv6 (Internet Protocol Version 6)

• Just as in previous step, go to Network Connections > Change adapter options
• Select the relevant connection, right-click and pick Properties
• Find Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6) and untick the marker next to it
• Click OK

Fix 4. Disable NetBIOS

Some users reported that disabling NetBIOS helped them tackle the issue. Here's how to do it:

• Go to Network Connections > Change adapter options > select your connection > Properties once again
• Select  Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and press Properties
• At the bottom of the window, select Advanced...
• In the advanced settings, select WINS tab
• Pick the Disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP option

  

• Click OK

Fix 5. Reinstall Network adapter drivers

Network adapters drivers can sometimes get corrupt or start malfunctioning. To fix that, you should simply reinstall your network adapter drivers:

• Right-click on Start and select Device Manager
• Expand Network adapters section
• Right-click on your network adapter and select Uninstall driver
• When the warning shows up, click Uninstall once again
• Reboot your computer
• After a restart, launch Device Manager again
• At the top of the window, press Scan for hardware changes

  

• Windows should automatically detect and install missing drivers

Fix 6. Restart Network Adapter

• Hold Windows key + Press R
• Type ncpa.cpl in the run dialogue and click OK
• Find your network adapter on the list, right-click on it, and select Disable
• After that, right-click on it one more time and select Enable

  

Fix 7. Reinstall Antivirus

In case you have recently switched to another anti-virus, it may be the reason why you are facing One or More Network Protocols are Missing Error as it may be blocking access to the Internet. In order to reinstall your antivirus, you have to :

• Hold Windows key + Press R
• Type appwiz.cpl in the run dialog and click OK
• Locate your antivirus on the list, right-click on it, and select Uninstall
• After that, reboot your PC
• Finally, download the antivirus, run it, and install again

Let us know if any of the One or more network protocols are missing error fixes has helped you. The majority of users reported that these methods have helped to solve this issue. If you haven’t yet tried to fix One or More Network Protocols are Missing Error by checking the PC with a professional anti-malware tool, it’s about time to do so.