Extensible Authentication Protocol (EapHost) Service Defaults in Windows 11
The Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) service provides network authentication in such scenarios as 802.1x wired and wireless, VPN, and Network Access Protection (NAP). EAP also provides application programming interfaces (APIs) that are used by network access clients, including wireless and VPN clients, during the authentication process. If you disable this service, your computer is prevented from accessing networks that require EAP authentication.
Default Settings
| Startup type: | Manual |
| Display name: | Extensible Authentication Protocol |
| Service name: | EapHost |
| Service type: | share |
| Error control: | normal |
| Object: | localSystem |
| Path: | %SystemRoot%\System32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs -p |
| File: | %SystemRoot%\System32\eapsvc.dll |
| Registry key: | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\EapHost |
| Privileges: |
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Default Behavior
Extensible Authentication Protocol is a Win32 service. In Windows 11 it starts only if the user, an application or another service starts it. When the Extensible Authentication Protocol service is started, it logs on as localSystem and running in a shared process of svchost.exe. If Extensible Authentication Protocol fails to start, the failure details will be recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 11 should boot up and notify the user about the EapHost service startup failure.
Dependencies
Extensible Authentication Protocol cannot be started, if the following services won't start:
If Extensible Authentication Protocol doesn't work properly, the Wired AutoConfig service can't start.
Restore Default Startup Configuration of Extensible Authentication Protocol
Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Extensible Authentication Protocol depends are configured by default and function properly. See the list of dependencies above.1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Copy the command below, paste it into the command window and press ENTER:
sc config EapHost start= demand
3. Close the command window and restart the computer.
The EapHost service is using the eapsvc.dll file that is located in the C:\Windows\System32 directory. If the file is removed or corrupted, read this article to restore its original version from Windows 11 installation media.