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Do you want to learn how to Perform Netsh Winsock Reset on Windows? Windows uses the term “Winsock,” which stands for “Windows Sockets,” to refer to the data on your personal computer that programs access in order to connect to a network. If you are having trouble connecting to the internet, you can use the netsh command in the Command Prompt to reset Winsock. This can be done if you are having connection problems.
Do any of the programs that you have installed on your computer present you with challenges when attempting to connect to the Internet? For example, despite having a strong Internet connection, the Google Chrome web browser will not open websites. If you are experiencing issues with your network on a computer running Windows 11/10, you can use the Netsh Winsock reset command to reset the Winsock Catalog. This will also reset the software on your computer’s network adapter to its factory defaults.
The data that programs use to access the network is stored in a file known as Winsock, which is an abbreviation for Windows Socket. Windows Socket is the protocol that must be utilized by any program that requires access to the internet. Performing a Netsh Winsock reset in Windows 11/10 is a typical step that is taken when figuring out how to fix issues with an Internet connection on this operating system. You can repair network issues in Windows 11/10 by following the step-by-step guide that is provided below to learn how to Perform Netsh Winsock Reset on Windows.
What is Netsh Winsock reset?
Winsock is an application programming interface (API) that enables communication between programs like a web browser and other applications. Winsock, which is also known as Windows Socket, is a term that belongs to the field of networking and is used to describe the data stored within a computer that is utilized by programs in order to access a network. While it is creating network protocols between the various applications, it is also storing in the database the configurations that explain how the entities interact with one another.
Any problems that arise within an application with its network connectivity are also related to Winsock, which in these kinds of situations may require a reset. The command Netsh Winsock reset is used to reset the Winsock catalog, which is a database of network settings that Windows uses to connect to networks. This command can be found in the Windows command prompt.
How to Perform Netsh Winsock Reset on Windows

- The first thing you need to do is tap the “Search” icon and look for “Command Prompt.”
- In the list of results, find “Run as administrator” on the right side of the screen to start CMD.
- To properly reset Winsock, you need to type the following command when you open cmd:netsh iso reset winsock
- You will see the new Winsock Catalog on the screen of the Command Prompt after you do this.
- After you’re done, try restart the computer and seeing if the problem is gone.
Benefits of performing a Netsh Winsock reset
- Fixing Network Connectivity Issues: One of the primary benefits of performing a Netsh Winsock reset is that it can resolve network connectivity problems. This includes issues like the inability to connect to the internet, limited or no connectivity, or frequent disconnections.
- Restoring Network Protocols: A Winsock reset can help restore the network protocols to their default settings. Sometimes, misconfigurations or corrupt entries in the Winsock catalog can interfere with network communication. Resetting it can resolve these issues.
- Correcting Socket Errors: Socket errors can occur when there’s a problem with how applications communicate over the network. A Winsock reset can help in resolving these socket errors, allowing applications to function correctly.
- Addressing DNS and IP Configuration Problems: Winsock also plays a role in DNS (Domain Name System) and IP (Internet Protocol) configuration. Resetting Winsock can help fix problems related to DNS resolution and IP address assignment.
- Resolving Network Protocol Corruption: Over time, network protocols can become corrupted due to various reasons. A Winsock reset can address these corruptions and restore the protocols to their proper working state.
- Eliminating Network-Related Malware: Malware can tamper with network settings and Winsock configurations. A Winsock reset can help remove the effects of malware and restore proper network functionality.
Conclusion
It sets up network protocols between applications and stores the settings that describe how the entities talk to each other in the database. Any problems with applications connecting to the network are also caused by Winsock, which may need to be reset in this case. The Winsock Catalog is the name of the database that Winsock makes and stores. If you use the netsh Winsock reset option to reset Winsock, all of the settings you made in the Winsock Catalog will be lost. When they connect to the TCP/IP traffic again, the networking programs that are linked to the catalog will start over with the default settings. If you want to know more information about this visit Microsoft official Website.
Questions and Answers
When you reset Winsock, any configurations you made to the Winsock Catalog will be removed. Networking applications such as web browsers, email clients, and VPN programs are able to make changes to the network. Such software is provided with a clean slate when it comes to connecting to TCP/IP traffic after a reset because the wsock32 DLL file is reset back to its default setting.
You can revert your computer’s network settings to their default state by using this command. It will simply reset the network settings; the computer shouldn’t experience any issues as a result of this.
To run a netsh command, you must start netsh from the command prompt or PowerShell by typing netsh and then pressing ENTER. Next, you can change to the context that contains the command you want to use. The contexts that are available depend on the networking components that you have installed.