Network Adapter WDF Class Extension Library (NetAdapterCx) Service Defaults in Windows 11

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:Network Adapter WDF Class Extension Library
Service name:NetAdapterCx
Service type:kernel
Error control:normal
Path:%SystemRoot%\system32\drivers\netadaptercx.sys
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\NetAdapterCx

Default Behavior

Network Adapter WDF Class Extension Library is a kernel driver. In Windows 11 it starts only if the user, an application or another service starts it. If Network Adapter WDF Class Extension Library fails to start, the failure details will be recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 11 should boot up and notify the user about the NetAdapterCx service startup failure.

Dependencies

Network Adapter WDF Class Extension Library cannot be started, if the NDIS System Driver service won't start.

If Network Adapter WDF Class Extension Library doesn't work properly, the following services will not start:

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Network Adapter WDF Class Extension Library

Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Network Adapter WDF Class Extension Library 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 NetAdapterCx start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The NetAdapterCx service is using the netadaptercx.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.