Microsoft IPv6 Protocol Driver (Tcpip6) Service Defaults in Windows 11

Microsoft IPv6 Protocol Driver

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:Microsoft IPv6 Protocol Driver
Service name:Tcpip6
Service type:kernel
Error control:normal
Path:%SystemRoot%\System32\drivers\tcpip.sys
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip6

Default Behavior

Microsoft IPv6 Protocol Driver is a kernel driver. In Windows 11 it starts only if the user, an application or another service starts it. If Microsoft IPv6 Protocol Driver fails to start, the failure details will be recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 11 should boot up and notify the user about the Tcpip6 service startup failure.

Dependencies

Microsoft IPv6 Protocol Driver cannot be started, if the TCP/IP Protocol Driver service won't start.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Microsoft IPv6 Protocol Driver

Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Microsoft IPv6 Protocol Driver 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 Tcpip6 start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The Tcpip6 service is using the tcpip.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.