or install a new antivirus before this error started appearing? WinDivert not working on Windows 10 20H2 #253 - GitHub
What are you trying to run? (e.g., GoodbyeDPI, a specific VPN, or custom software) Which Windows version are you currently using?
If a previous version of the driver failed to shut down properly, Windows cannot overwrite it with a new installation. You can force-stop and clear it via the command prompt: into the Windows search bar. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator Type the following command and press sc stop WinDivert Next, type this command and press sc delete WinDivert
: Modern Windows versions may block WinDivert if it isn't properly signed. You can temporarily Disable Driver Signature Enforcement through Advanced Startup to test if this is the cause Administrator Privileges : Ensure the application using WinDivert is set to Run as Administrator
: Windows Enforcement of Driver Signatures may reject the WinDivert binary if it is outdated, modified, or unsigned. Step-by-Step Fixes or install a new antivirus before this error
Fixing the "WinDivert Driver Cannot Be Installed" Error The WinDivert (Windows Packet Divert) user-mode packet capture and injection driver is a critical component for many network tools, security applications, and VPNs. However, users frequently encounter a frustrating installation roadblock. The application halts, displaying the message:
WinDivert often extracts itself to your System32 folder or keeps a temporary handle in your Temp folder. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers . Look for a file named WinDivert64.sys or WinDivert.sys .
The error typically occurs when a previous version of the driver is stuck in memory, the service registry entry is corrupted, or security settings are blocking the driver from loading . Summary of Causes
If a simple restart doesn't work, follow these steps to manually clear the driver: If a previous version of the driver failed
: Ensure the application using WinDivert (like a VPN or network tool) is being run with Administrator privileges . Manual Registry Cleanup : Open the Registry Editor (regedit).
WinDivert (Windows Packet Divert) allows user-mode applications to capture, modify, or drop network packets. To do this, it installs a temporary kernel-mode driver ( WinDivert.sys ). The installation fails and triggers the restart prompt due to three main culprits:
If the application that uses WinDivert wasn't packaged properly, or if a previous installation attempt failed, it may leave behind in your system directory (e.g., C:\Windows\System32\drivers ). When a program tries to load a damaged driver, Windows will reject it.
If the driver is still stuck, manually delete the driver files and reboot: Before fixing the problem
Type the following command to delete the service: sc delete windivert Relaunch your application. 3. Clear Blocked Drivers via the Registry
Follow these troubleshooting steps in order to clear the driver lock and restore functionality to your software. 1. Perform a Complete System Restart
Extract the archive and locate WinDivert.dll and WinDivert64.sys (for 64-bit systems).
Before fixing the problem, it's helpful to understand what WinDivert is and why you're seeing this message. is a powerful, user-mode library that allows applications to capture, modify, and drop network packets. Because it works at a deep, kernel level, many tools for filtering, analyzing, or modifying network traffic rely on it to function.