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Teredo Tunneling Adapter Driver Not Working: Fix on Windows 10

Guide 10-13118 · Updated · Step by step

If your Microsoft Teredo Tunneling Adapter driver is not working on Windows 10, the fix usually involves re-enabling the adapter in Device Manager, resetting the Teredo interface via Command Prompt, or updating the driver manually. Below are the exact steps to resolve the issue, along with background on what Teredo is and why it fails.

What Is the Microsoft Teredo Tunneling Adapter?

Teredo is a transition technology that lets IPv6 traffic travel over an IPv4 network. Windows uses it to provide IPv6 connectivity when your ISP or router doesn’t natively support IPv6. The Microsoft Teredo Tunneling Adapter is a virtual network adapter that appears in Device Manager under “Network adapters.” It’s essential for certain applications that require IPv6, such as Xbox Live party chat, DirectX 12 multiplayer games, and some enterprise VPNs.

When the driver is missing, disabled, or outdated, you may see a yellow exclamation mark in Device Manager, error code 31 or 10, or the adapter simply doesn’t appear at all. This can break online gaming features, remote desktop connections, or any service that relies on Teredo.

Why the Driver Stops Working

  • Windows Update changes: A recent update may replace or remove the driver, especially after a feature update.
  • Disabled in BIOS or Group Policy: Some IT administrators disable Teredo for security reasons, which also disables the adapter.
  • Corrupted driver files: A bad installation or leftover files from a previous version can cause the driver to fail.
  • Antivirus or firewall interference: Some security software blocks Teredo to prevent tunneling, which can make the adapter appear broken.
  • Power management: Windows may turn off the adapter to save power, leading to intermittent failures.

How to Fix the Teredo Adapter Driver

Follow these steps in order. Most users find that Step 1 or Step 2 resolves the issue.

Step 1: Re-enable the Adapter in Device Manager

  1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand Network adapters.
  3. Look for Microsoft Teredo Tunneling Adapter. If you see a downward arrow, right-click it and select Enable device.
  4. If it’s already enabled, right-click and select Disable device, then right-click again and select Enable device. This resets the driver.
  5. Restart your PC and check if the adapter is working.

Step 2: Reset Teredo via Command Prompt

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator (right-click Start, choose Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin)).
  2. Type the following command and press Enter: netsh int teredo set state disabled
  3. Then type: netsh int teredo set state type=default
  4. Type: netsh int teredo set state server=teredo.ipv6.microsoft.com
  5. Close Command Prompt and restart your PC.

This resets the Teredo client configuration. If you get an error saying “The requested operation requires elevation,” make sure you’re running Command Prompt as administrator.

Step 3: Update or Reinstall the Driver

  1. In Device Manager, right-click the Teredo adapter and select Update driver.
  2. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software. If Windows finds nothing, proceed.
  3. Right-click the adapter again and select Uninstall device. Check Delete the driver software for this device if the option appears.
  4. Restart your PC. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.

If the adapter doesn’t reappear after restart, you can manually add it:

  1. In Device Manager, click Action > Add legacy hardware.
  2. Choose Install the hardware that I manually select from a list.
  3. Select Network adapters, then choose Microsoft from the manufacturer list.
  4. On the right, select Microsoft Teredo Tunneling Adapter and click Next.
  5. Follow the prompts to install it.

Step 4: Check Group Policy and Registry

If Teredo is disabled by policy, the adapter may not work even after reinstallation. Open the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) and navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Network > TCPIP Settings > IPv6 Transition Technologies. Set Teredo State to Enabled and choose Default or Client. If you don’t have gpedit.msc (Windows 10 Home), you can check the registry:

  1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip6\Parameters.
  3. Look for a DWORD value named DisabledComponents. If it exists, set it to 0 (or delete it) to enable all IPv6 components.
  4. Restart your PC.

Step 5: Run Windows Network Diagnostics

  1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status.
  2. Click Network troubleshooter and follow the prompts.
  3. This may detect and fix Teredo-related issues automatically.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

“The adapter is missing entirely.” This often happens after a Windows feature update. Use the “Add legacy hardware” method in Step 3 to manually add it.

“Teredo is a security risk.” Some users disable Teredo because it can be used to bypass firewalls. While it’s true that Teredo can encapsulate traffic, Windows includes security mechanisms. If you don’t need IPv6 tunneling, you can leave it disabled, but for gaming or certain apps, you’ll need it.

“I have a 64-bit system, so I need a 64-bit driver.” The Teredo driver is built into Windows and doesn’t require a separate download. If the driver is missing, it’s because Windows hasn’t installed it, not because you need a specific version.

Alternatives to Teredo

If Teredo continues to fail, you can use other IPv6 transition technologies:

  • 6to4: Another tunneling protocol, but it’s often blocked by firewalls and is less reliable.
  • ISATAP: Used for IPv6 over IPv4 in enterprise networks, but rarely used now.
  • Native IPv6: The best solution is to enable IPv6 on your router and ISP. Check your router’s settings for IPv6 support.
  • VPN with IPv6: Some VPN providers offer IPv6 tunneling, which can replace Teredo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Teredo adapter keep disappearing after restart?

This can happen if Windows Update removes the driver or if your antivirus software blocks it. Try re-adding the adapter manually using the legacy hardware method, and check if your security software has a setting that disables Teredo. Also, ensure that the Teredo service (IP Helper) is set to Automatic in Services (services.msc).

Can I use Teredo without administrator rights?

No, enabling or reconfiguring Teredo requires administrative privileges because it modifies network settings. You’ll need to run Command Prompt as administrator or have an admin account to make changes.

Is it safe to disable Teredo?

Yes, if you don’t use applications that require IPv6 tunneling. Disabling it can reduce the attack surface slightly, but for most users, the risk is minimal. If you need Xbox Live or certain games, keep it enabled.

How do I know if Teredo is working?

Open Command Prompt and type netsh int teredo show state. If the state says “qualified” or “offline” with a server, it’s working. If it says “disabled” or “no server”, you need to reconfigure it.

Will reinstalling Windows fix the Teredo driver?

It might, but it’s a drastic step. Try the steps above first. If the issue persists after a clean install, it’s likely a hardware or network configuration issue, not a driver problem.

Final Thoughts

The Microsoft Teredo Tunneling Adapter driver issue on Windows 10 is usually easy to fix with the steps above. Start with re-enabling the adapter and resetting Teredo via Command Prompt. If that doesn’t work, manually reinstall the driver. If you don’t need Teredo, you can safely leave it disabled, but for gaming and IPv6-dependent apps, these fixes should get you back online.

Related

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

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