If you are using a VPN in Windows then you have definitely heard about the TAP-Windows adapters. Most of the VPN software install a particular network driver called TAP-Windows driver. This driver, install automatically while installing the VPN software. This TAP adapter appears in Device Manager after the installation of the VPN Client. Mostly this adapter is used by the VPN suites for connecting to the internet privately. If you encountered an error “There are no TAP-Windows adapters installed on this system” while connecting to VPN then this article will guide you to fix this issue. TAP-Windows driver comes in two types:
- NDIS 6 (TAP-windows6, version 9.21.x) for Windows 10/8/7/Vista.
- NDIS 5 driver (TAP-windows, version 9.9.x) for Windows XP.
Once you encountered this error then follow the recommended solutions one by one in order.
Restart TAP-Windows adapter:
The first and basic troubleshooting method to fix this error is to restart the TAP-Windows adapter.
Open Run command by pressing Windows + R and type ncpa.cpl and hit enter. This command will open the adapter options.
Now look for the TAP adapter and right-click on it and choose Disable.
Next right click on the TAP adapter and rename it. Now restart the system once and Enable the TAP adapter again.
Reinstall TAP-Windows Drivers.
After Restarting the TAP-Windows adapter, if you are facing the error, then reinstalling the TAP-Windows Drivers will fix the issue. If the TAP-Windows adapter is part of your VPN software then you have to uninstall your VPN software from Programs and Features. Next restart the system once and Install the VPN software again. This will bring back the TAP drivers. Some VPN software won’t allow you to install or uninstall without the TAP-Windows adapter in that case you need to completely remove the TAP drivers and then install it back manually.
Open run command and type devmgmt.msc and hit enter. This command will open the Device Manager.
Expand the Network adapters and right-click on the TAP-Windows Adapter and choose Uninstall.
Once the Uninstallation is done then restart the system once and download the TAP windows driver from this link. Install the driver and now try to install your VPN software. Mostly this will fix the issue.
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TAP-Windows Adapter is a network driver through which VPN services can allow your computer to connect to the VPN servers. Unfortunately, when connecting to a VPN, you may get the error that says,
There are no TAP-Windows adapters installed on this system.
Similar to the All TAP-Windows adapters on this system are currently in use error, this is not a crucial error, and the message states precisely what is wrong with the connection.
You can repair this TAP driver issue in three stages. The troubleshooting guide will list these stages and explain how to go about them.
- Restart the TAP-Windows adapter.
- Reinstall TAP-Windows drivers.
- Create a new TAP-Windows adapter.
Below is the full guide. I advise that you follow the steps in the order in which I’ve listed them here.
1] Restart the TAP-Windows adapter
The recommended way to fix this TAP driver error is to restart the TAP adapter. To do this, follow the steps below:
Right-click on the network icon on your taskbar and click on Open Network & Internet settings.
In the network status window that opens, select Change adapter options.
Find the TAP adapter on this screen. They are named differently based on the VPNs, so you can only look out for an adapter or connection with TAP in its description.
Right-click on the TAP and hit the Disable option.
After disabling the network adapter, right-click on it again and re-name it.
2] Reinstall TAP-Windows drivers
If you restart the TAP network adapter and still receive the error, then you should go ahead and reinstall the TAP drivers. You can do this in several ways.
First, you may uninstall your VPN software and reinstall it again. Ensure that you restart your computer after uninstalling the VPN.
When the machine comes back on, install the VPN software, and the installation will most likely come with TAP drivers.
Press the Windows key + R combination, type devmgmt.msc in the Run dialog box and hit ENTER.
In Device Manager, expand the Network adapters section and find the TAP-Windows adapter listed under it.
Right-click on the driver and choose the Uninstall device option.
Complete the uninstall process by following the on-screen instructions.
With the driver uninstalled, launch your VPN client, and it may ask you to install the missing TAP network drivers.
Some VPNs will only prompt you that the driver is missing. If this is the case, you need to download the driver off the internet or download the VPN client’s latest version.
Alternatively, you download the TAP-Windows driver software and install it on your computer manually. If you’re unsure where to download the drivers or even how to use them, this guide is a great starting point.
3] Create a new TAP-Windows adapter
Windows says that it couldn’t find TAP-Windows adapters on your system. The most straightforward method is to create a new TAP-Windows adapter.
Windows creates a new TAP-Windows adapter when you create a hyper-machine or connect to a VPN service.
Also, note that you can have only one TAP-Windows adapter active at a given time.
Keshi Ile is a seasoned technology expert who holds a Bachelors’s degree in Electronics Engineering and a Master’s in Digital Marketing. He runs several internet companies and contributes to technology blogs.
When using VPN services like OpenVPN or NordVPN on Windows, you might encounter the error message “There are no TAP-Windows adapters on this system.” This error can be frustrating, but with the right steps, it’s solvable. In this tutorial, we’ll explore the root causes of this error and provide step-by-step solutions to fix it.
Understanding the Error
What is a TAP-Windows Adapter?
TAP-Windows adapter is a virtual network kernel device. It’s essential for VPN services to function correctly on Windows. Think of it as a bridge that helps your computer communicate with the VPN server.
Common Causes
- Corrupted TAP Driver: Sometimes, the TAP driver installed on your system might get corrupted, leading to this error.
- Multiple TAP Adapters: If there are multiple TAP adapters installed, it might confuse the VPN software.
- VPN Software Configuration: Incorrect settings in your VPN software can also trigger this error.
Solutions
1. Reinstalling TAP Drivers
A common solution is to reinstall the TAP drivers. Here’s how:
- Uninstall Existing TAP Drivers:
- Open
Control Panel. - Navigate to
Programs and Features. - Find
TAP-Windowsin the list. Right-click and selectUninstall. - Follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation.
- Reinstall TAP Drivers:
- For OpenVPN:
- Download the latest version of OpenVPN from the official website.
- During installation, ensure the
TAP-Windowscomponent is selected.
- For NordVPN:
- NordVPN will automatically install TAP drivers. If prompted, allow the installation.
- Restart Your Computer: After reinstalling, restart your computer to ensure changes take effect.
2. Checking for Multiple TAP Adapters
Having multiple TAP adapters can cause conflicts. Here’s how to check and resolve:
- Press
Windows + Rto open the Run dialog. - Type
ncpa.cpland pressEnter. This opens the Network Connections window. - Look for multiple TAP adapters. If you see more than one, right-click and
Disableall but one.
3. Configuring OpenVPN/NordVPN
Sometimes, the issue might be with the VPN software configuration:
- For OpenVPN:
- Navigate to the OpenVPN installation directory (usually
C:\Program Files\OpenVPN). - Right-click on
OpenVPN GUIand selectRun as administrator. - Try connecting again.
- For NordVPN:
- Open NordVPN.
- Go to
Settings. - Ensure that the TAP adapter is set to the correct version (usually the latest).
- Try reconnecting.
4. Using devcon.exe to Manage TAP Adapters
devcon.exe is a command-line utility that can help manage and reinstall TAP adapters.
- Download
devcon.exe:- It’s part of the Windows Driver Kit. You can download it from the official Microsoft website. Ensure you get the version that matches your system (32-bit or 64-bit).
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
- Press
Windows + Xand selectCommand Prompt (Admin)orWindows PowerShell (Admin).
- Press
- Navigate to the Directory Containing
devcon.exe:- Use the
cdcommand to navigate. For example:cd C:\path\to\devcon\directory.
- Use the
- List All Network Adapters:
- Enter
devcon listclass net.
- Enter
- Find the TAP Adapter:
- Look for a device with a name similar to
TAP-Windows Adapter V9.
- Look for a device with a name similar to
- Reinstall the TAP Adapter:
- Use the command
devcon install "path\to\OemVista.inf" "Root\NET\0000", replacingpath\to\OemVista.infwith the path to the TAP adapter’s.inffile (usually found in the OpenVPN installation directory) and"Root\NET\0000"with the hardware ID of the TAP adapter.
- Use the command
Conclusion
The “There are no TAP-Windows adapters on this system” error can be a hurdle, but with the steps outlined above, you should be able to resolve it and enjoy a seamless VPN experience. If you continue to face issues, consider reaching out to the VPN service’s support team for further assistance.
При запуске OpenVPN сервера или подключения из клиента OpenVPN вы можете столкнуться с ошибкой:
All TAP-Windows adapters on this system are currently in use Exiting due to fatal error
Или
All wintun adapters on this system are currently in use or disabled
Или
No TAP Adapter Available
Вы можете увидеть эту ошибку логе OpenVPN сервера (файл C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\log\openvpn.log) или в клиенте OpenVPN GUI/
Это известная ошибка, связанная с тем что в Windows не установлены или некорректно работают виртуальные сетевые адаптеры TAP или wintun.
В OpenVPN 2.5+ вместо сетевых адаптеров TAP можно использовать WinTun от разработчиков WireGuard. По словам разработчиков, wintun драйвер работает быстрее чем классический OpenVPN драйвер TAP. Вы можете выбрать какой сетевой драйвер использовать при установке OpenVPN (TAP-Windows6 или Wintun).
Чтобы исправить эту ошибку нужно выполнить один из следующих шагов (расположены в порядке от самого простого к самому сложному):
- Перезапустить TAP-Windows/WinTun через панель управления.
- Переустановить драйвер TAP-Windows/Wintun;
- Создать новый сетевой адаптер для OpenVPN (или другого VPN клиента)
Выведите список всех TAP адаптеров, доступных клиенту OpenVPN:
cd "c:\Program Files\OpenVPN\bin"
“C:\Program Files\OpenVPN\bin\openvpn.exe” --show-adapters
В нашем случае установлен как Wintun, так и TAP адаптер:
'OpenVPN Wintun' {1199219C-C5AD-4722-B195-C80332101710} wintun
'OpenVPN TAP-Windows6' {9C6B25CA-0AF0-4752-AD4A-032947F6A6FD} tap-windows6
Для устранения ошибки обычно достаточно включить и отключить TAP адаптер в панели управления Windows, перезагрузить компьютер или переустановить клиент OpenVPN.
Вы можете включить и отключить сетевой адаптер WinTap из панели управления ncpa.cpl. Щелкните в панели управления по нужному адаптеру (TAP-Windows или Wintun Userspace Tunnel) и выберите Disable. Затем включите его (Enable.)
Также вы можете перезапустить все сетевые интерфейсе OpenVPN TAP с помощью PowerShell:
$TapAdapter= Get-NetAdapter| where {$_.InterfaceDescription -like "*TAP-Windows*"}
Disable-NetAdapter -Name $TapAdapter -Confirm:$false
Enable-NetAdapter -Name $TapAdapter -Confirm:$false
Если предыдущий способ не помог, попробуйте переустановить драйвера для вашего виртуального TAP адаптера вручную
- Скачайте последнюю версию TAP драйвера для Windows здесь (http://build.openvpn.net/downloads/releases/). Например, tap-windows-9.24.7.zip или wintun-amd64-0.8.1.
- Распакуйте архив, запустите Device Manager (
devmgmt.msc), щелкните правой кнопкой по сетевому адаптеру TAP-Windows Adapter v9 в секции Network Adapters и выберите Update driver;
- Укажите путь к каталогу с драйвером TAP.
Если вы не видите в панели управления TAP-Windows Adapter V9, откройте консоль Device Manager и включите опцию View-> Show hidden device.
Если в секции Network adapters есть устройства типа unknown device, откройте его свойства, перейдите на вкладку Details и проверьте значение свойства Device instance path.
Если здесь указано ROOT\NET\0000, значит попробуйте выполнить авматотический поиск дрвйвера или вручную укажите путь к INF файлу (например C:\Program Files\OpenVPN Connect\drivers\tap\amd64\win10\OemVista.inf). После этого в панели управления появится ваш TAP адаптер.
В Windows 7 драйвер TAP, подписанный с помощью SHA256, не будет работать корректно, пока вы вручную не установите обновление KB4474419.
В самых редких случаях может помочь полное пересоздание TAP/Wintun адаптера.
Перед установкой нужно удалить существующий сетевой адаптер TAP и его драйвер. Для этого запустите программу C:\Program Files\TAP-Windows\Uninstall.exe или просто удалите устройство из Device Manager (Uninstall device).
Для установки TAP драйвера используется утилита tapinstall.exe.
Распакуйте архив и запустите установочный файл с правами администратора.
В новых версиях OpenVPN для управления виртуальными сетевыми адаптерами используется утилита c:\Program Files\OpenVPN\bin\tapctl.exe.
Вывести список сетевых адаптеров OpenVPN:
tapctl.exe list
Удалить адаптер:
tapctl.exe delete "OpenVPN TAP-Windows6"
Создать новый адаптер TAP:
tapctl.exe create
Создать новый wintun адаптер:
tapctl.exe create --hwid wintun
Обязательно проверьте, что новый сетевой адаптер TAP-Windows Adapter появился в списке сетевых подключения в панели управления Windows (консоль ncpa.cpl).
Также ошибка “ All TAP-Windows adapters on the system are currently in use” может возникнуть, если вы пытаетесь установить несколько OpenVPN подключений с одного компьютера. Для каждого VPN подключения нужно создать свой адаптер.
Вы можете создать дополнительный WinTap сетевой адаптер с помощью скрипта (bat файл) %ProgramFiles%\TAP-Windows\bin\addtap.bat.
Или с помощью команды (в современных версиях клиента OpenVPN):
c:\Program Files\OpenVPN\bin\tapctl.exe.tapctl.exe create
В результате в панели управления появится два (или более) сетевых адаптеров TAP-Windows Adapter V9, и вы сможете одновременно установить несколько одновременных OpenVPN сессий с разными серверами.
Теперь вы можете использовать ваше OpenVPN подключение в Windows и настроить автоматическое подключение к VPN. [/alert]
No TAP adapters installed on your device? Unable to connect to your VPN service?
Let’s explore everything about what are TAP adapters, why they are crucial for connecting to a VPN server, and how to resume TAP adapters functioning on a Windows device.
Also read: 11 Best VPN For Windows 10, 8, 7 PC In 2020 – (Free & Paid)
What are TAP Adapters?
TAP adapters are a type of network drivers that are required by a VPN service to establish a connection between your device and the remote server. TAP adapters play a crucial role in the VPN framework by acting as endpoints or nodes that are created and destroyed as they are needed. You can think of the TAP adapter as a network bridge created between your device and the VPN server.
So, if your device is missing the TAP adapters, you can simply reset or re-install the network drivers to make the VPN service functional again.
Here are 3 useful ways that will allow you to resolve the “No TAP adapters installed on this system” issue on Windows 10 machine.
Let’s get started.
How to Fix “No TAP Adapters Installed on this System” Issue
Solution #1: Reset TAP Drivers
Before reinstalling the TAP network drivers on your device, we will first try a simpler fix, i.e. to restart the drivers. This can easily be done by making a few tweaks in Windows settings. Here’s what you need to do:
Right-click on the network (WiFi) icon placed on the taskbar, select “Open Network and Internet Settings”.
Select the “Change Adapter Settings” option.
On the next window, you will see various options listed on the screen. Look for the TP adapter icon of your associated VPN service. Right-click on it and hit the “Disable” option.
After a few seconds, right-click on the TAP adapter and enable the service again.
Solution #2: Re-install TAP Drivers
If resetting the TAP network driver did not work out too well for you, you can try reinstalling the drivers.
Press the Windows + R key cobination., to open the Run dialog box.
Type “devmgmt.msc” in the text box and hit Enter.
In the Device Manager window, look for the Network Adapters section.
Under the Network Adapter section, right-click on the TAP adapters and select “Uninstall Device”.
Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the existing TAP drivers installed on your device.
To start afresh, download and re-install the TAP drivers from the web and install it on your Windows PC. You can easily find the network drivers of your desired VPN service by making a quick Google search.
Solution #3: Use a new TAP Adapter
Each time you connect to a VPN service, the Windows device creates a new TAP adapter that is required to set up a secured connection.
To overcome the “No TAP adapters installed on this system” issue, you can try a different VPN service alternative. We might have an ideal suggestion for you. Read on!
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