One or More Protocols are Missing on Windows 10

A Network Protocol is a set of rules that define how data is communicated between different computers that are connected through a network connection.

Network Protocols are of different types such as Ethernet, FDDI, LocalTalk and TokenRing. They comprise of procedures and formats to be followed during data transmission. You might encounter the One or more protocols are missing error on a Windows 10 laptop/ PC due to one or more of the following reasons:

• Your system doesn’t support usage of IPv6

• Your WinSock defaults have been changed

• DNS registration issues

• Corrupt Registry keys, code identifier issues

• Insufficient Registry permissions to access network data

• A protocol needs to be installed

 

Use Internet Protocol Version 4

IPv6 is a next-generation protocol. If you’re encountering problems deploying IPv6, configure your laptop to use an older protocol such as IPv4.

1. Press Windows Key + X; choose Control Panel.
2. Click Network and Internet | Network and Sharing Center.
3. Click the Wi-Fi/ Wired Broadband connection that appears in Connections.
4. Wi-Fi/ Wired Broadband Status dialog will open up on your screen.
5. Click Properties.
6. Uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/ IPv6).
7. Check Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/ IPv4).
8. Click OK | Close.

 

Restore Winsock Defaults

WinSock, earlier known as WSA, deals with network services such as TCP/IP. Problems with the functioning of WinSock can cause protocol errors. Restore default WinSock configurations using an elevated CMD.

1. Press Windows Key + X; select Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Type the following command:
   Netsh winsock reset
3. Press the Enter key of your keyboard.
4. Restart your system using the following command-line:
   Shutdown /r

 

Flush & Register New DNS

Domain Name Servers (DNS) translates a website’s name into the corresponding Internet Protocol (IP) Address. If the process of converting human-readable website names fails, you may get the protocol missing error.

1. Open an elevated Command Prompt.
2. Flush the existing DNS:
   ipconfig /flushdns
3. Register a new DNS:
   ipconfig /registerdns
4. Release and renew the information:
   ipconfig /release
   ipconfig /renew
5. Reset the Catalog:
   netsh winsock reset catalog
6. Store the logs in a separate file named reset.log
   netsh int ipv4 reset reset.log
   netsh int ipv6 reset reset.log
   pause
7. Restart your computer:
   shutdown /r

 

Modify Registry Configurations

Provide appropriate read, write and access permissions to the Registry subkeys that deal with your computer’s network connection.

1. Type RegEdit in the Search Box on the Taskbar.
2. Open Registry Editor from the Search Results.
3. Locate the following Registry path:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE | SYSTEM | CurrentControlSet | Control | Nsi | {eb004a00-9b1a-11d4-9123¬-0050047759bc}
4. Right-click a 26 subkey, choose Permissions.
5. In the new dialog, specify the Group or User Name as Everyone.
6. Check the Allow box ahead of Full Control.
7. Click Apply | OK.

 

Install New Protocol

Go to your Connection Properties and then install a new protocol through the steps given below:

1. Type ncpa.cpl in the Search Box and open it from the Search Results.
2. Right-click your Wi-Fi/ Wired Broadband connection icon, choose Properties.
3. Click the Install button.
4. Choose Protocol in the subsequent Select Network Feature Type dialog, and click Add.
5. Click Hard Disk button.
6. Specify the following path:
   C:\Windows\inf
7. Click OK.
8. You have a new dialog – Select Network Protocol
9. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/ IP) – Tunnels
10. Click OK.

 

Delete Code Identifier

Make sure the code identifier keys aren’t corrupt. Delete the corrupted data so that your system will generate default settings.

1. Open Registry Editor.
2. Locate following Registry path:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE | SOFTWARE | Policies | Microsoft | Windows | Safer | CodeIdentifiers | 0
3. Delete the Paths subkey. (Right-click > Delete)
4. Exit the Registry Editor and restart your laptop.