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Why am I not seeing the Ethernet interface on my Windows machine?

asked 2020-02-13 09:42:52 +0000

gedonis gravatar image

updated 2020-02-15 19:19:29 +0000

Guy Harris gravatar image

I know it is a common problem but I did not solved a solution yet.

I installed the latest Wireshark Version 3.2.1 (v3.2.1-0-gbf38a67724d0) on my DesktopPC Windows 10 x64 (version 1909 OS Build 18363.657) I have installed the latest npcap also (npcap-0.9987) and I have nmap-7.80 installed previously.

Unfortunately, Wireshark does not show nor my ethernet interface, no any traffic at all. Link to screenshot is https://ibb.co/gPNvHfc

I am using Avast Antivirus & Firewall, but if I disable them, nothing happens.

My DesktopPC is in home LAN with router and Laptop. I installed Wireshark on Laptop and it works fine.

I tried to reinstall Wireshark and npcap and it did not change anything.

What could be the reason and what to do next?

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answered 2020-02-16 12:29:54 +0000

balcee gravatar image

I had a similar issue and it turned out that the npcap watchdog wasn't running due it being blocked by Windows Firewall.

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How does the Firewall stop a scheduled task from running? What did you change to make it work?

grahamb gravatar imagegrahamb ( 2020-02-16 13:25:18 +0000 )edit

That is an interesting fix for this issue. Can you describe what the symptoms were (any log or event messages) and what the change was to Windows Firewall to correct it.

Chuckc gravatar imageChuckc ( 2020-02-16 13:27:14 +0000 )edit
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answered 2020-02-13 10:15:04 +0000

grahamb gravatar image

There have been a few reports on this, scattered throughout the site, but it all comes down to a broken install of npcap.

Having nmap installed may be complicating things. You can try uninstalling npcap, rebooting, then install npcap again. If that doesn't fix it, then you'll need to contact the npcap support mechanisms over at nmap.

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Thanks! I uninstalled npcap, rebooted, installed npcap again and now Wireshark is working.

I paid attention to two things -

  1. In this time, I did not check "wireless traffic" option when installing npcap as my DesctopPC does not have wireless adapters - previously I checked, because my another PC (Laptop) had wireless adapter and I installed Wireshark on both PC with identical options
  2. I allowed "npcap watchdog" this time after installation process (I have special software for monitoring all programs which add anything to services or startup configuration)
gedonis gravatar imagegedonis ( 2020-02-14 08:10:35 +0000 )edit

I take it this "npcap watchdog" is some other software. If so, it's possible that prevented the npcap service from running which would produce the symptoms you reported.

grahamb gravatar imagegrahamb ( 2020-02-14 11:35:51 +0000 )edit

https://github.com/nmap/nmap/issues/1513

After installing npcap 0.99-r9 (via Wireshark) on Windows 10, there is a scheduled task named "npcapwatchdog".
Chuckc gravatar imageChuckc ( 2020-02-14 14:57:53 +0000 )edit

@ bubbasnmp, I do now see the scheduled task that runs the CheckStatus batch file at startup. This batchfile seems to ensure the loopback adaptor is available.

I don't think stopping this (probably NOT a good idea to stop programs from installing required parts, and especially unhelpful not noting this when asking a question about why said software isn't working) will stop Ethernet adaptors from showing up.

grahamb gravatar imagegrahamb ( 2020-02-14 15:25:08 +0000 )edit

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Asked: 2020-02-13 09:42:52 +0000

Seen: 14,733 times

Last updated: Feb 16 '20