Fix Hamachi Service Stopped on Windows 10

If LogMeIn Hamachi shows “Service Stopped� on Windows 10, the fix is usually to restart the Hamachi service, adjust its startup type, or repair the TAP adapter driver. This article walks through the exact steps, likely causes, and what to do when the basic fix doesn’t work.

What Causes Hamachi Service to Stop

Hamachi runs as a Windows service named LogMeIn Hamachi Tunneling Engine. When that service stops, the Hamachi UI shows “Service Stopped� and you can’t connect to any networks. Common triggers include:

• Windows Update changing network adapter settings or replacing the TAP driver.
• Third-party antivirus or firewall software blocking or killing the service.
• Corrupted Hamachi installation files or outdated drivers.
• Power management turning off the virtual network adapter to save energy.
• Conflicts with other VPN software or virtual network adapters.

Knowing the cause helps you pick the right fix, but the steps below cover the most frequent scenarios.

Step 1: Restart the Hamachi Service

Start with the simplest action – restart the service. This often clears a temporary glitch.

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Scroll to LogMeIn Hamachi Tunneling Engine.
3. Right-click it and select Restart. If it’s already stopped, choose Start.
4. Open the Hamachi client and check if the status changes to “Connected� or “Running�.

If the service restarts but stops again within a few minutes, move to the next step.

Step 2: Set Service Startup to Automatic

Hamachi needs to start with Windows. If the service is set to “Manual� or “Disabled�, it may not run after a reboot or after a crash.

1. In services.msc, double-click LogMeIn Hamachi Tunneling Engine.
2. In the Startup type drop-down, select Automatic.
3. Click Apply, then OK.
4. Right-click the service and choose Start if it isn’t running.

This prevents the service from being disabled by system optimization tools or manual changes.

Step 3: Repair the TAP Adapter Driver

Hamachi creates a virtual network adapter (usually called “TAP-Windows Adapter V9�). If that adapter is missing, disabled, or has an outdated driver, the service may fail to start. Here’s how to fix it:

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Network adapters and look for “TAP-Windows Adapter V9� or a similar entry with “TAP� in the name.
3. If you see a yellow warning icon, right-click it and select Uninstall device (check “Delete the driver software for this device� if offered).
4. Restart your PC. Windows will reinstall the driver automatically, or you can reinstall Hamachi to restore it.
5. If the adapter is disabled, right-click it and choose Enable device.

If the adapter isn’t listed at all, reinstall Hamachi from the official website – the installer will recreate the driver.

Step 4: Reinstall Hamachi

A corrupted installation is a common cause. Reinstalling replaces all files and the TAP driver, and it often resolves persistent “Service Stopped� errors.

1. Uninstall Hamachi via Settings > Apps or Control Panel > Programs and Features.
2. Reboot your PC to fully remove the driver.
3. Download the latest Hamachi installer from the official LogMeIn website.
4. Run the installer as administrator (right-click > Run as administrator).
5. Follow the prompts and restart your PC when finished.

After reinstalling, the service should start automatically. If it still stops, check for conflicts with other software.

Step 5: Check Antivirus and Firewall

Some security programs treat Hamachi’s virtual network activity as suspicious and may block or stop its service. To test this:

• Temporarily disable your third-party antivirus or firewall (not Windows Defender) and try starting Hamachi.
• If it works, add Hamachi to the antivirus’s exception list, then re-enable protection.
• Make sure Windows Firewall allows Hamachi: go to Control Panel > Windows Defender Firewall > Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall and check both “Privateâ€� and “Publicâ€� for Hamachi.

If you’re using a VPN or other network virtualization tool, close it before starting Hamachi to avoid driver conflicts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Hamachi keep stopping on Windows 10?

The most common reasons are a disabled TAP adapter, an outdated driver, or security software interfering with the service. Windows updates can also reset service settings or replace drivers, causing Hamachi to stop.

How do I start Hamachi service manually?

Open services.msc, right-click LogMeIn Hamachi Tunneling Engine, and select Start. If the start option is greyed out, check that the service isn’t disabled in its properties.

Does Hamachi work on Windows 11?

Yes, Hamachi generally works on Windows 11, but the same troubleshooting steps apply. If you’re on Windows 11 and see “Service Stopped�, follow the same process – restart the service, repair the TAP adapter, and reinstall if needed.

Can I use Hamachi without installing the TAP adapter?

No. Hamachi requires the TAP adapter to create virtual networks. If the adapter is missing, the service won’t start. Reinstalling Hamachi will restore it.

Is there a way to prevent Hamachi from stopping after a reboot?

Yes, set the service startup type to Automatic and make sure the TAP adapter is enabled. Also, disable power saving for the adapter in Device Manager (under Power Management tab, uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device�).

Does Hamachi still work in 2025?

Yes, Hamachi is still available and functional, though it hasn’t had major updates in years. The same troubleshooting steps apply for Windows 10 and 11.

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