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OpenVPN - ERROR: All TAP-Windows adapters are currently in use
OpenVPN - ERROR: All TAP-Windows adapters are currently in use

This error indicates that the VPN was not cleanly disconnected from the previous session or another VPN connection is already established.

Sam avatar
Written by Sam
Updated over a week ago

1. Disable and re-enable the TAP adapter

  1. Click the Start Menu button and then select the Control Panel.

  2. Click on Network and Internet.

  3. Click on Network and Sharing Center.

  4. Click on Change adapter settings.

    windows change adapter settings
  5. Find the connection which is your TAP Adapter, right-click the TAP adapter and select Disable.

    windows disable adapter
  6. Once Disabled. Right-click the TAP adapter again and select Enable.

If the above does not resolve the issue please close and restart all OpenVPN processes by following these steps

  1. Press ctrl alt del.

  2. Open task manager.

  3. End all instances of any process containing the word openvpn.

  4. Restart OpenVPN.

  5. Connect OpenVPN.


2. Update your TAP adapter drivers

  1. Open Device Manager.

  2. Find the Network Adapters section.

  3. Expand the list and select your TAP adapter.

  4. Right-click on it and select Update.

windows device manager network adapters

3. Reinstall TAP Windows adapter

  1. In Windows, right-click the Start button, select Device Manager and go to Network adapters.

windows device manager network adapters
  1. Find the TAP Windows adapter, right-click on it and click Uninstall device.

windows device manager uninstall device
  1. Restart your VPN application. When it starts, it should prompt you to download and install the driver for TAP Windows adapter.

  2. Reinstall and the problem should be solved.

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