IP Network Address Translator (IPNAT) Service Defaults in Windows 11
Default Settings
| Startup type: | Manual |
| Display name: | IP Network Address Translator |
| Service name: | IPNAT |
| Service type: | kernel |
| Error control: | normal |
| Path: | %SystemRoot%\System32\drivers\ipnat.sys |
| Registry key: | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\IPNAT |
Default Behavior
IP Network Address Translator is a kernel driver. In Windows 11 it starts only if the user, an application or another service starts it. If IP Network Address Translator fails to start, the failure details will be recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 11 should boot up and notify the user about the IPNAT service startup failure.
Dependencies
IP Network Address Translator cannot be started, if the TCP/IP Protocol Driver service won't start.
Restore Default Startup Configuration of IP Network Address Translator
Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which IP Network Address Translator 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 IPNAT start= demand
3. Close the command window and restart the computer.
The IPNAT service is using the ipnat.sys file that is located in the C:\Windows\System32\drivers directory. If the file is removed or corrupted, read this article to restore its original version from Windows 11 installation media.