SOLVED Npcap Loopback Adapter (Dec 2017 Win 10 Update) interfering with VPN?

[laopa]

Hi,

Over the last few weeks I have been having endless problems in using my VPN (PIA) via its Win 10 App. The VPN has been informed of the problem.

I have also noticed that a recent Win 10 Update installed something called Npcap Loopback Adapter. After searching on the Net I can find nothing positive or useful about the Npcap Loopback Adapter. Seems like something designed for Microsoft's benefit that provided nothing for its average user.

So has anybody else had problems with this thing and more importantly is it safe to Disable and or even Un-install.

It does not appear to provide any benefits to me.

Looking forward to some assistance and solving this annoyance.

 

[Wolfie]

Hi laopa,

I would try un-installing it and see if your VPN works again!. Have you made any changes to Windows Firewall that might have something to do with it?.

 

[bassfisher6522]

Hi,

Over the last few weeks I have been having endless problems in using my VPN (PIA) via its Win 10 App. The VPN has been informed of the problem.

I have also noticed that a recent Win 10 Update installed something called Npcap Loopback Adapter. After searching on the Net I can find nothing positive or useful about the Npcap Loopback Adapter. Seems like something designed for Microsoft's benefit that provided nothing for its average user.

So has anybody else had problems with this thing and more importantly is it safe to Disable and or even Un-install.

It does not appear to provide any benefits to me.

Looking forward to some assistance and solving this annoyance.

From what I'm reading, it has to do with VPN's
https://community.sophos.com/produc...home-for-windows/97002/npcap-loopback-adapter

https://n0where.net/windows-packet-sniffing-library-npcap

 

[laopa]

Hi laopa,

I would try un-installing it and see if your VPN works again!. Have you made any changes to Windows Firewall that might have something to do with it?.

At the moment I have disabled it.

As I use Glasswire as the GUI for Windows Firewall I have contacted them and have installed their latest update but still no good news.

I'm also looking into the TAP-Windows Adapter V9 as a potential culprit?

 

[laopa]

From what I'm reading, it has to do with VPN's
https://community.sophos.com/produc...home-for-windows/97002/npcap-loopback-adapter

https://n0where.net/windows-packet-sniffing-library-npcap

I am currently trying to sort this out with my VPN PIA and have updated to their latest version. However still no good news with their Windows App but weirdly their Browser App for Google Chrome and other Chrome based Browsers all work e.g. Google Chrome, Vivaldi and Opera.

They don't have a Browser App for Firefox and or IE 11.

 

[bassfisher6522]

Do you have a link to your VPN?

 

[laopa]

Sorry the VPN is PIA or Private Internet Access.

https://www.privateinternetaccess.com

 

[bassfisher6522]

That's one I've not heard before and there's only 3730 reviews. Almost all the reviews are generic and the ones that do describe it are just basic and some what scripted IMO. The bad reviews are almost all support related. That being said....I wouldn't use them.

 

[CUNL2]

Sorry the VPN is PIA or Private Internet Access.

https://www.privateinternetaccess.com

You'd best revert to the time you had control of your computer, they'll no doubt kill off us Win 7 users eventually. But we'll join those XP resistance fighters . It's sad but true, Microsoft just want us like Apple want theirs, totally locked in without choice. Your computer, your choices belong to them now, and they ain't turning back. You signed a EULA making it all your fault.

 

[laopa]

That's one I've not heard before and there's only 3730 reviews. Almost all the reviews are generic and the ones that do describe it are just basic and some what scripted IMO. The bad reviews are almost all support related. That being said....I wouldn't use them.

While I didn't come here to argue about VPN's you are entitled to your opinion.

But check these recent reviews.

https://www.cnet.com/best-vpn-services-directory/

http://au.pcmag.com/software/138/guide/the-best-vpn-services-of-2018

http://www.techradar.com/news/fastest-vpns-of-2018

https://www.pcworld.com/article/3198369/privacy/best-vpn-services-apps-reviews-buying-advice.html

https://www.windowscentral.com/best-vpns

It would appear that Private Internet Access doesn't do that badly in their opinions.

Mind you so does NordVPN.

Thanks for the feedback though.

 

[laopa]

You'd best revert to the time you had control of your computer, they'll no doubt kill off us Win 7 users eventually. But we'll join those XP resistance fighters . It's sad but true, Microsoft just want us like Apple want theirs, totally locked in without choice. Your computer, your choices belong to them now, and they ain't turning back. You signed a EULA making it all your fault.

Not really sure what this has to do with my specific problem but power to you anyway.

 

[bassfisher6522]

While I didn't come here to argue about VPN's you are entitled to your opinion.

But check these recent reviews.

https://www.cnet.com/best-vpn-services-directory/

http://au.pcmag.com/software/138/guide/the-best-vpn-services-of-2018

http://www.techradar.com/news/fastest-vpns-of-2018

https://www.pcworld.com/article/3198369/privacy/best-vpn-services-apps-reviews-buying-advice.html

https://www.windowscentral.com/best-vpns

It would appear that Private Internet Access doesn't do that badly in their opinions.

Mind you so does NordVPN.

Thanks for the feedback though.

Me either...but reviews I saw are from personal users.....your links are to companies that rate them as they see fit. Which are 2 very different type of reviews....real world users vs testing in a controlled environment. Both are moot IMO. It's eventually up to the end user. If your happy with them, by all means keeping using them.

As to your issue, as I stated it seems to be with your VPN adding this, what I assume to be a virtual adapter. The VPN's support site is next to nil as stated by most of the real world users in their reviews. My advice would be to put in a support ticket explaining your issue.

 

[laopa]

Me either...but reviews I saw are from personal users.....your links are to companies that rate them as they see fit. Which are 2 very different type of reviews....real world users vs testing in a controlled environment. Both are moot IMO. It's eventually up to the end user. If your happy with them, by all means keeping using them.

As to your issue, as I stated it seems to be with your VPN adding this, what I assume to be a virtual adapter. The VPN's support site is next to nil as stated by most of the real world users in their reviews. My advice would be to put in a support ticket explaining your issue.

I logged a Support Request with them last week and so far they have been very helpful. They also have said that the npcap adapter has nothing to do with PIA Private Internet Access.

I have been working through various suggestions they have made but thought I would throw out a wider net to Windows 10 support groups and also to Glasswire which I use as a GUI for Windows Firewall.

It seems odd however that I have been using the Private Internet Access VPN for nearly 12 months with no problems and then suddenly in January 2018 their Windows App fails but their Chrome Browser App is still OK.

Might very well be a PIA / VPN issue but it also could be a Windows 10 and or Glasswire Windows Firewall issue .... me thinks.

For your reference here are some more User Reviews.

Users 3,732 Rating 7.5/10 - similar Users number it seems, perhaps we used the same user review site?

https://au.trustpilot.com/review/privateinternetaccess.com


Thanks for the input.

 

[laopa]

Well what do you know.

Based on discussions and the support from Glasswire I reinstalled Glasswire again with the “clean install” and “reset firewall to default” options checked and voila every thing with my PIA (Private Internet Access) VPN Windows App is fixed.

So, not the VPN's fault but I still suspect that Microsoft was in the background somewhere. Why else did I need to set the Windows Firewall back to its default settings which had worked fine with everything, VPN Windows App and Glasswire until January this year of 2018.

Thanks to the folks of this Windows Ten Forum for their assistance and great support.

My VPN Private Internet Access also did a great job with their support in trying to help me figure this out.

laopa

 

[laopa]

You wouldn't believe it but the exact same thing just happened to my kid's (attending University) Win 10 HP Laptop.

Completed a Windows Update (they are not very proactive with updates, scans, maintenance etc.) and the VPN PIA Windows App no longer worked. Exact same Windows Firewall blocking issue.

Luckily, after spending near on 2 weeks with my desktop and the exact same problem we were able to sort it out in short time.

We can't be the only ones out here facing this problem?

laopa

 

[Wolfie]

Hi laopa,

I am quite certain that a lot of it has to do with W10?.

If your original problem is solved, please mark the thread as solved so it helps others, thanks.