Fix: PRIMARY_TRANSPORT_CONNECT_FAILED Error

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ERROR_PRIMARY_TRANSPORT_CONNECT_FAILED
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ERROR_PRIMARY_TRANSPORT_CONNECT_FAILED (746) is a Windows BSoD that occurs when there are network issues.

It often occurs while connecting to a VPN, proxy, or your primary internet connection. When it happens, your PC switches to a secondary internet source like a different Wi-Fi or cable connection.

This is not always safe because the secondary connection may not be secure or stable. So here is how to fix the error and connect to your primary network again.

How to fix ERROR_PRIMARY_TRANSPORT_CONNECT_FAILED

Try restarting your PC, and if you cannot, try entering Windows Safe Mode. Also, since this is a connection failure, try disabling VPNs and proxies and check your Internet hardware.

Make sure all cables are properly connected and your router is working. If you’re still having trouble, follow the more advanced fixes below.

1. Update network drivers

  1. Press Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand the Network adapters section.
  3. If there are more adapters, select the one you’re currently connected to. network adapters in device manager
  4. Right-click on it, and select Update.update network adapter driver
  5. Select Search automatically for drivers and confirm by clicking OK.automatic driver search
  6. Wait for the process to complete, restart your PC, and check if the ERROR_PRIMARY_TRANSPORT_CONNECT_FAILED error shows up again.

2. Run a SFC scan

  1. Type Windows key + S, enter cmd and select Run as administrator.run as administrator cmd
  2. Type the following command: sfc/scannow and press Enter.SFCSCANNOW
  3. Wait for the process to complete. This command automatically scans for corrupt system files. If it finds any, it’ll replace them.
  4. Restart your PC and check if the error persists.

3. Change DNS servers

  1. Press Windows key + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.ncpa.cpl
  2. Select the network you’re currently connected to, right-click on it, and pick Properties.
  3. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
  4. Select Use the following DNS address and change the address for primary and secondary. You can use Google’s DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.changing dns address
  5. Save settings and check if the primary transport error persists.

3. Run an antivirus scan

  1. Go to Settings> Privacy and security.privacy and security settings
  2. Select Windows Security.windows security
  3. Select Open Windows Seecurity> Virus & Threat Protection.virus and threat protection
  4. Select Full Scan, then click on the Scan now button.Full scan
  5. Wait for the process to complete, and restart your PC.

If you use a third-party antivirus such as Malwarebytes or Norton, follow the same steps to do a full system scan.

4. Allow app through firewall

  1. If the error occurre when you tried using a specific app, open Windows Firewall.
  2. Click on Advanced settings. This will open the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security window.windows firewall with advanced security
  3. Click Inbound Rules.inbound rules
  4. On the right-hand panel, click New Rule….new firewall rule
  5. Select Program and click Next.
  6. Select This program path: and click Browse to locate the executable file of the app you want to allow.
  7. Click Next and follow the on-screen instructions to save the settings.

This will help if you tried using an app that needs the Internet to run, but is blocked by the Windows Firewall.

Make sure to only set such rules for apps and programs you know for a fact are safe to use and virus-free.

If the ERROR_PRIMARY_TRANSPORT_CONNECT_FAILED message still shows up even after those fixes, please give us more details in the comments below and we’ll try to get back to you with another solution.

More about the topics: BSoD error codes, windows 10, windows 10 fix, Windows 11

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