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To reset Winsock in Windows 10 or 11, open Command Prompt as administrator, run netsh winsock reset, then restart your PC. The command resets Windows’ Winsock catalog; it is not a reset of your router, network adapter, or all network settings.
What a Winsock reset does
Winsock, short for Windows Sockets, is the Windows networking interface applications use to communicate over a network. A damaged or improperly registered Winsock catalog can interfere with applications connecting even when Windows shows that the PC is connected.
Microsoft documents netsh winsock reset as returning the Winsock catalog to a clean state and removing custom Layered Service Providers (LSPs). Winsock Name Space Provider entries are not affected. The reset may help when a networking component or software that filters network traffic has disrupted the catalog, but it cannot fix every connection problem. Microsoft’s command reference lists Windows 10 and Windows 11 among the supported systems.
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Before you begin
- Save your work and close applications that rely on the network. You will need to restart Windows.
- Note any VPN, proxy, antivirus, firewall, traffic-filtering, or virtualization software you use. Because the reset removes custom LSPs, some software that relies on a custom provider may need repair or reinstallation afterward.
- Use an administrator account or have an administrator approve the User Account Control prompt.
Reset Winsock in Windows 10 or 11
- Select Search on the taskbar and type Command Prompt.
- Select Run as administrator, then approve the User Account Control prompt.
- Enter this command and press Enter:
netsh winsock reset - Wait for the command to finish. The output should say that the Winsock Catalog was successfully reset and that you must restart the computer to complete the reset. Wording and capitalization can vary by Windows build or language.
- Restart the PC, then test the affected browser, app, VPN, game, network share, or other connection.
Do not assess the result before restarting; the command’s normal output says a restart is required to complete the reset. The documented current syntax is netsh winsock reset; you do not need to add catalog.
If the reset does not fix the connection
First identify how broad the problem is: try another website or application, test another device on the same network, and, if possible, try a different connection type. If only one app fails, troubleshoot that app rather than repeatedly resetting Windows networking. If multiple apps fail on this PC, Microsoft’s Ethernet and Wi-Fi guidance lists this broader command sequence:
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdnsRun each line separately in the elevated Command Prompt and wait for it to finish before entering the next. The commands do different jobs:
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netsh winsock resetresets the Winsock catalog.netsh int ip resetresets TCP/IP configuration.ipconfig /releasereleases the current DHCP address;ipconfig /renewrequests another.ipconfig /flushdnsclears the local DNS resolver cache.
Restart Windows after running the sequence. Microsoft provides it as a troubleshooting path for Ethernet and Wi-Fi problems. The TCP/IP reset and DNS flush are separate operations; running a Winsock reset alone does not perform them.
Winsock reset versus Windows Network reset
| Option | What it changes | When to consider it |
|---|---|---|
netsh winsock reset |
Resets the Winsock catalog and removes custom LSPs. | As a narrower step when Windows application-level networking may be corrupted. |
| Windows Network reset | Removes installed network adapters and their settings, then reinstalls the adapters after a restart. | As a later, broader troubleshooting step when less disruptive checks have not helped. |
Network reset can require VPN software or Hyper-V virtual switches to be reinstalled or configured again. In Windows 11, find it under Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset. In Windows 10, the usual path is Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network reset. Labels or placement may vary slightly by Windows version.
Common errors and what to do
“The requested operation requires elevation”
The window is not running as administrator. Close it, search for Command Prompt, choose Run as administrator, approve the prompt, and enter the command again.
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“Access is denied”
Confirm that the shell is elevated and that you entered netsh winsock reset exactly. If the Winsock command succeeds but a separate netsh int ip reset command reports that an item failed with “Access is denied,” that is an issue with the TCP/IP reset output, not proof that the Winsock reset failed. If Winsock reset itself repeatedly fails in an elevated shell, note the exact error, restart, review recently installed network-filtering software, and follow Microsoft’s broader troubleshooting guidance. Avoid deleting registry keys or changing their permissions to force a reset.
The command is not recognized or has a syntax error
Check for typing errors and enter netsh winsock reset with spaces as shown. Run it in Command Prompt or an elevated PowerShell window, not in a browser address bar or another application.
The reset succeeds, but the internet still does not work
Do not keep repeating the reset. Check whether other devices can connect to the same router and whether the failure affects every app. A local DNS-cache problem may call for ipconfig /flushdns; a router, ISP, adapter, or hardware fault needs a different fix.
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A VPN or security app stops working afterward
Restart first, then use the software maker’s repair or reinstall option if needed. The reset removes custom LSPs from the Winsock catalog, so software that uses one may need its networking component repaired.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to try next
- Check the adapter and driver. If the problem persists, use Microsoft’s connection troubleshooting steps. Uninstalling a network adapter and restarting can prompt Windows to reinstall its driver; if you may lose connectivity, obtain a backup driver from the PC or adapter manufacturer first.
- Review VPN, proxy, security, and virtual networking software. Check whether the issue began after an update, install, or removal. Reconfigure or repair the relevant software rather than making registry changes.
- Consider Network reset only after narrower steps. Remember that it removes and reinstalls adapters and may disrupt VPNs or virtual switches.
- Check the network outside this PC. If other devices also cannot connect, investigate the router, modem, or ISP. If the adapter is missing from Device Manager or the issue began after a driver or firmware update, contact the PC or adapter manufacturer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Winsock reset delete personal files?
No. The command resets the local Winsock catalog; it is not a command for deleting documents or other personal files.
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The command resets the Winsock catalog on the PC. It does not reset the router or its Wi-Fi password.
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Does a Winsock reset change my IP address?
The Winsock reset itself is not a DHCP release or renewal. The separate ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew commands address the DHCP lease.
Does it fix DNS problems?
Not necessarily. To clear the PC’s local DNS resolver cache, use ipconfig /flushdns; a DNS server or network outage requires a different fix.
How often should I run it?
Use it as a troubleshooting step when there is a reason to suspect Winsock catalog corruption, not as routine maintenance. If it does not help after a restart, investigate other causes rather than repeating it.
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