Error message: In order to configure TCP/IP, you must install and enable a network adapter card

This article provides help to resolve an error that occurs when you open the TCP/IP properties of your network adapter.

Applies to:   Windows Server 2012 R2
Original KB number:   308939

Symptoms

When you try to open the TCP/IP properties of your network adapter, you may receive the following error message:

Microsoft TCP/IP
In order to configure TCP/IP, you must install and enable a network adapter card.

You may receive this message after a system restoration when your network adapter has been changed before the backup.

Cause

This behavior can occur if your network adapter has been changed to another model of network adapter without first being properly uninstalled by using the Add/Remove Hardware tool in Control Panel. If you then use Ntbackup.exe to restore a full backup of the system with your new network adapter installed, the symptom that is listed in the "Symptoms" section of this article occurs.

Resolution

To resolve this behavior after the restoration process, uninstall the network adapter in Device Manager, and then run the Add/Remove Hardware tool in Control Panel to reinstall the network adapter.

To avoid this behavior before the restoration process, use the Add/Remove Hardware tool in Control Panel to uninstall the first network adapter, physically remove the first network adapter, install your new network adapter, and then create the backup.