Fix Error Code 31 WAN Miniport (Driver Issue)

Error code 31 on a WAN Miniport device means Windows has stopped the adapter because its driver did not load properly. You can usually fix it by reinstalling the driver through Device Manager, and in most cases the problem is a corrupted or incompatible driver left behind by a VPN or network software update.

What Is a WAN Miniport?

WAN Miniport is a virtual network adapter that Windows uses for several types of connections. It is not a physical piece of hardware; it is a software driver that emulates a network device. Windows includes several WAN Miniport variants: IP, IPv6, PPP, and Network Monitor. Each one handles a different protocol. For example, the WAN Miniport (PPTP) is used for VPN connections, and the WAN Miniport (PPP) is used for dial-up or PPPoE connections.

You can see these devices in Device Manager under “Network adapters.� They are usually listed as “WAN Miniport (IP)� or “WAN Miniport (PPTP)� and so on. They are installed by default on every Windows system, even if you never use a VPN or dial-up connection. They are part of the Remote Access Service (RAS) that Windows uses for networking features.

Why Does Error Code 31 Happen on WAN Miniport?

Error code 31 is a Windows device manager error that means “This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device.� For WAN Miniport devices, the driver is provided by Microsoft (the file is usually raspptp.sys or raspppoe.sys), and it is part of the operating system. The error usually appears after a Windows update, a network driver update, or after installing or uninstalling a VPN client or firewall software.

Common causes include:

A corrupted driver cache after a failed update.
Conflicting third-party network software that overwrites a system driver.
Changes to the Windows registry that affect the RAS service.
A leftover driver from an uninstalled VPN or firewall.

The error is often cosmetic—your internet may still work because the physical network adapter is fine. But some features, like VPN connections or dial-up, may fail.

How to Fix Error Code 31 on WAN Miniport

Follow these steps in order. They are safe and do not require third-party tools.

Step 1: Restart the Computer

Sometimes the driver fails to load only because of a temporary glitch. Restart Windows and check Device Manager again. If the error is gone, you are done.

Step 2: Uninstall and Reinstall the WAN Miniport Device

Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters.
Right-click the WAN Miniport device with the yellow exclamation mark and choose Uninstall device.
If a dialog asks to delete the driver software, check the box and click Uninstall.
After uninstalling, click Action in the menu bar and select Scan for hardware changes.

Windows will automatically reinstall the correct driver. If the error persists, restart the computer again after the reinstall.

Step 3: Use the Network Reset Feature

Windows 10 and 11 have a built-in network reset that reinstalls all network adapters, including WAN Miniports.

Open Settings (Windows + I).
Go to Network & Internet > Advanced network settings (Windows 11) or Status (Windows 10).
Click Network reset.
Click Reset now and confirm. Windows will restart.

This will remove and reinstall all network drivers. You may need to reconnect to Wi-Fi or re-enter your VPN settings afterward.

Step 4: Run the Windows Network Troubleshooter

Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot (Windows 11) or Update & Security > Troubleshoot (Windows 10).
Select Network Adapter and run the troubleshooter.
Follow the prompts. It may detect and fix driver issues automatically.

Step 5: Check for Windows Updates

Microsoft periodically updates the WAN Miniport drivers through Windows Update. Go to Settings > Windows Update and check for updates. Install any pending updates, especially driver updates, then restart.

Step 6: Use System File Checker

Corrupted system files can cause driver errors. Run the System File Checker:

Open Command Prompt as administrator (search for “cmd�, right-click, “Run as administrator�).
Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
Wait for the scan to finish (it can take 10-15 minutes).
Restart if it finds and repairs files.

Step 7: Edit the Registry (Advanced)

If the error persists, a registry entry may be corrupted. This step is optional and should be done carefully. Back up the registry first (File > Export in Regedit).

Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}.
Look for subkeys numbered 0000, 0001, etc. Find the one whose DriverDesc value matches the WAN Miniport device with error 31.
Right-click that subkey and choose Delete. (This removes only the problematic device entry.)
Close Regedit and restart Windows. The device will be recreated.

If you are not comfortable editing the registry, skip this step and try the next one.

Step 8: Reinstall the VPN or Network Software That Caused the Issue

If the error started after installing a VPN or firewall, uninstall that software completely, then reinstall the latest version. Many VPN clients install their own virtual adapters that conflict with the Microsoft WAN Miniport. Use the software’s official uninstaller, and if it offers a “clean uninstall� option, use it.

What If the Error Still Won’t Go Away?

If you have tried all the steps above and the error remains, you can safely ignore it in most cases. The WAN Miniport devices are not needed for normal internet browsing or even for most VPN connections (which use their own virtual adapters). The only features affected are legacy dial-up and some PPTP/L2TP VPN connections. If you do not use those, the error is harmless.

If you do need the WAN Miniport for a VPN, try using a different VPN protocol (e.g., OpenVPN or WireGuard) instead of PPTP, which is outdated and insecure anyway. Alternatively, you can perform a Windows “in-place upgrade� (reinstall Windows while keeping your files) to repair the system files completely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is error code 31 on WAN Miniport dangerous?

No. It is a driver loading error, not a security issue. It does not mean your computer is infected or your network is compromised. It only means that one virtual network adapter is not working.

Do I need the WAN Miniport at all?

Most users do not. It is used for legacy dial-up and some VPN protocols. If you do not use those, you can leave the device disabled or ignore the error. However, Windows may re-enable it after updates.

Why does the WAN Miniport keep coming back after I uninstall it?

Windows automatically reinstalls WAN Miniport devices because they are part of the operating system’s Remote Access Service. Uninstalling is only a temporary fix; you need to reinstall the driver correctly or fix the underlying cause.

Can I disable the WAN Miniport to get rid of the error?

Yes, you can right-click the device in Device Manager and select “Disable device.� The error will disappear, but the device will stay disabled. This is a safe workaround if you do not need the adapter.

Will a system restore fix error code 31?

If the error started recently, a system restore to a point before the problem began can fix it. Use System Restore (search “create a restore point� in the Start menu) and choose a restore point from before the error appeared.

Does this error affect internet speed?

No. The WAN Miniport is not involved in your normal internet traffic. Your physical network adapter and Wi-Fi are unaffected. You will not see any speed difference.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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