Error: An operation was attempted on something that is not a socket

Error: An operation was attempted on something that is not a socket

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This document pertains to PCs with Windows XP.

When attempting to connect to the Internet, the following message displays:

An operation was attempted on something that is not a socket

To resolve this error, remove and restore the winsock registry entries.



NOTE: You may want to print this document for future use. This error is most likely being caused by software that did not originally come with the PC. The error may happen again if the software is still being used.

Step 1: Reset Winsocks
Resetting the Winsock layer allows browsers to find Web pages using a URL. Use one of the following sections depending on your Windows version.


For PCs with Windows XP Service Pack 2 or later


If you have Windows XP Service Pack 2 or later perform the steps in this section. If you do not have Service Pack 2, skip to Step 2.


Click Start, and Run.

Enter the following into the Open field: netsh winsock reset

Click OK and restart the PC.



For PCs with Windows XP prior to Service Pack 2


Delete the Winsock registry keys to reset Service Pack 2 as follows:



CAUTION: An incorrect registry entry may cause serious system problems or prevent the computer from starting. Always backup your registry .
Click Start and then click Run.

Type regedit in the Open field and click OK.

Click the plus sign (+) next to HKey_Local_Machine.

Click the plus sign (+) next to SYSTEM.

Click the plus sign (+) next to CurrentControlSet.

Click the plus sign (+) next to Services.

Select Winsock and press the Delete key.

Click Yes to continue.

Select Winsock2 and press the Delete key.

Click Yes to continue. Close the Registry Editor window.


Step 2: Reinstall the TCP/IP

Click Start and then click Control Panel.

Click Network and Internet Connections.

Click the Network Connections icon.

Right-click the Local Area Connection icon and select Properties.

Click the Install button.

Highlight Protocol and then click Add.

Click Have Disk.

In the text box type the following path: C:\Windows\Inf

click OK.

Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) from the list of available protocols..

Click OK and restart the PC.

The error should no longer occur. To help prevent the error from occurring again, uninstall any non-original software that uses TCP/IP (The Internet).


Related support
Microsoft support article, How to determine and recover from Winsock2 corruption (in English).