This error generally occurs because a previous version of the driver is stuck in a half-installed or corrupted state, or a security program is blocking its loading . Since WinDivert is "installed" on demand when an application calls it, it often requires administrative cleanup rather than just a standard reboot. Immediate Solutions
Many users click and still see the error. Why? Windows Fast Startup (enabled by default) hibernates the kernel, leaving driver state intact.
Windivert driver installation failed. Please restart your computer to complete the installation.
After reboot, she runs the WinDivert installer again. It succeeds in 10 seconds. The tool starts filtering traffic as expected. This error generally occurs because a previous version
Lack of admin rights to install the service. Corrupt Registry/Files: Old driver entries are conflicting. Signature Issues: Windows blocked the driver.
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Fix: WinDivert Driver Cannot Be Installed (You Must Restart Your Computer) Please restart your computer to complete the installation
Disable or uninstall conflicting filters (e.g., uninstall Npcap via Programs and Features, reboot, then install WinDivert).
Here is the complete guide to understanding why this happens and how to permanently fix it. Why This Error Happens
Click on to see if windivert.sys was recently blocked. If blocked, select the action and click Allow on device . Force-Delete the Leftover Service Windows Defender
Follow these steps in order to resolve the issue without needing to reboot your PC repeatedly. 1. Force-Delete the Leftover Service
Windows Defender, aggressive antivirus programs, or anti-cheat engines flag WinDivert as a threat because packet interception looks like malware behavior.