How to Resolve NetBT 4311 Error Causing a Windows PC to Restart

The NetBT 4311 error has been popping up for some users, especially on older devices. This error is known to affect older computers, but even some newer models aren’t spared going by the complaints on several Windows forums.

Users complain that the error interrupts gameplay, application launches and even normal browsing. Unlike similar errors, the NetBT 4311 error is much more annoying because it often causes a full system crash.

It’s quite frustrating when normal PC activity gets interrupted by random and unexpected errors and even more so in the case of the NetBT 4311 bug. For starters, the error message that shows up doesn’t provide any clear method to reverse the situation. Moreover, the error often triggers random system reboots and PC crashes that incapacitate the system.

If you’re looking for methods to stop the constant crashes associated with the NetBT 4311 error on Windows 10, you’ve come to the right place. While this guide doesn’t promise to help you resolve the issue in every instance, the fixes outlined here have worked for many users who were affected by the same issue.

What Is the Error NetBT 4311?

NetBT 4311 is an error that affects both old and new computers running Windows 10. This error has also appeared on older versions of Windows.

It can cause the affected computer to crash, leading to random reboots and blue screens. Depending on the severity of the error, some users are unable to use their computers for a significant period before the next crash occurs. In other words, when the NetBT 4311 error is encountered, there’s a significant risk that the affected PC will essentially become unusable unless a solution is found in time.

While the issue happens in the middle of gaming or another resource-intensive activity for most users, a few of them said that it happened at system login, preventing them from signing in.

The NetBT 4311 error displays either of the two error notifications below, which are identical – except for the interface identification string:

Initialization failed because the driver device could not be created. Use the string “000000000100320000000000D71000C013010000250200C000000000000000000000000000000000” to identify the interface for which initialization failed. It represents the MAC address of the failed interface or the  Globally Unique Interface Identifier (GUID) if NetBT was unable to map from GUID to MAC address. If neither the MAC address nor the GUID was available, the string represents a cluster device name.

Initialization failed because the driver device could not be created. Use the string “000000000100320000000000D71000C011010000250200C001000000000000000000000000000000” to identify the interface for which initialization failed. It represents the MAC address of the failed interface or the  Globally Unique Interface Identifier (GUID) if NetBT was unable to map from GUID to MAC address. If neither the MAC address nor the GUID was available, the string represents a cluster device name.

So what causes the NetBT 4311 bug to appear in Windows 10? There is evidence that the error is linked to the removal or fault of the network adapter. When the system’s network adapter is removed or runs into an error, this can trigger the issue. Windows detects that the adapter is no longer there or working and tries to reinstall it. An event log is then created in the Event Viewer. NetBT 4311 can also occur due to the removal of a remote access service.

Another possible cause of the error in question is driver issues. There are dozens of drivers on a standard computer, and any of these can become incompatible or outdated at any time. This is especially true for systems recently upgraded to Windows 10. The NetBT 4311 error could be the result of obsolete or incompatible drivers. Missing or corrupt system files can also cause the error.

However, the NetBT 4311 error seems more common on computers with discrete graphics. This means that those running gaming or graphics-editing PCs are more likely to face the issue. This is linked to the GPU and relative complexity of drivers. Furthermore, users who built a custom PC are disproportionately affected by the error.

Most of those that complained about the error mentioned that it happened in the middle of gaming, especially when playing AAA titles and online multiplayer. This indicates that the error might be related to the graphics card drivers and possibly the network drivers. According to the error message, initialization failed because the driver could not be created. This indicates that a driver on the system is not working.

In case you are wondering how to solve this issue, the next section provides the answers you need.

How to Fix the NetBT 4311 Error on Windows 10

NetBT 4311 isn’t the type of error you should turn a blind eye to. It can cause further complications if not dealt with immediately. Once you encounter this error, your next step should be solving it. It is not uncommon to find the NetBT error snowballing into a blue screen and additional driver issues.

If you’re looking for how to remove the NetBT 4311 error message, you can follow the steps below. The simple explanations for each step will guide you.

Method 1. Update the Affected Drivers

The “Initialization failed because the driver device could not be created” part of the NetBT 4311 error message indicates that this is likely a driver issue. Do you have obsolete, broken or incompatible drivers on your PC? If so, they need to be updated.

A broken driver can no longer communicate properly with the operating system and the related hardware, possibly because it has become corrupted. This can cause the linked hardware to not function normally.

An obsolete device driver is too old and therefore inefficient. It may lack some important features that newer drivers possess. So, when a driver is out of date, the capabilities of the corresponding hardware may be underutilized. This can also cause errors like NetBT 4311 when the hardware tries to render a software feature that the old driver does not support.

A previously functioning driver can become incompatible due to a system upgrade. Some drivers that worked very well on Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 may stop working when the system is upgraded to Windows 10. Chances are the device manufacturer created a Windows 10 version of the driver. The user would need to upgrade to the latest compatible driver version to avoid errors.

If the driver that is causing the NetBT 4311 bug is known, you can use the method below to update it to the latest version.

Update the Drivers with Device Manager

Device Manager is a Windows utility that lists all the hardware connected to the PC and provides an interface to check driver status and update, uninstall or disable device drivers. You can find all your PC hardware and its drivers there. The steps below explain how to use Device Manager to update a device driver:

1. Right-click the Start menu (or press the Windows logo + X keys simultaneously) to open the Power User menu.
2. Select Device Manager to launch the applet.
3. Expand the option that contains the device whose driver you want to update. For example, if you wish to update your graphics card driver, expand the Sound, video and game controllers option.
4. Right-click the device and select Update driver.
5. In the next window, select Search automatically for drivers.

Windows will download and install the latest version of the chosen driver provided it can locate one. If no new driver is available, the system notifies you that the latest driver version is already installed.

Sometimes, updating the driver this way doesn’t solve the issue. When this happens or you’re already using the latest driver version, you can try reinstalling the driver instead and see if that works:

1. In step 3 above, expand the relevant node as usual. Then right-click the device and select Properties.
2. Switch to the Driver tab.
3. Click the Uninstall Driver option and confirm the action when a pop-up is displayed.
4. Reboot the system, and Windows will reinstall the driver.

You can use this method if you’re sure of which driver is causing the issue. Moreover, using Device Manager ensures that only a safe driver will be installed. You can use Device Manager to update multiple drivers as well, though this will take a lot of time since you can only update them one by one.

Also Read: How to Update Device Drivers on a Windows 10 PC?

Update the Drivers Automatically

NetBT 4311 and related errors merely indicate that a driver issue is responsible for the system crash but don’t mention which specific driver to troubleshoot. Therefore, it’s difficult to isolate the problematic driver. In that case, wouldn’t it be better to just update them all?

Sometimes, using Device Manager isn’t a lot of help because Windows often fails to detect the latest drivers online. And there is a risk with manually downloading the drivers you need: there will be problems if the wrong version is installed due to confusion.

Here is the best solution: using a tool specifically designed to perform automatic driver updates. A software tool like Auslogics Driver Updater hosts a large database of drivers, and it is continually updated as soon as manufacturers release a new driver.

Auslogics Driver Updater has a simple interface and is easy to use. Once you install the software and click Scan, it checks your PC for installed hardware and presents a list of drivers on the machine, indicating those that need to be updated. Simply click the Update button beside a driver to start updating it.

Driver Updater is certified by Microsoft and sources drivers only from approved manufacturers, so you have nothing to worry about. It automatically matches your system with the correct driver and even backs up your current driver before it installs the latest version.

The best feature of Auslogics Driver Updater is that you can use it for batch updates. With a pro license, you can click the Update All button in Auslogics Driver Updater to update all your device drivers at one go.

Once you’ve installed the driver updates, reboot the machine, and the NetBT 4311 error should be solved.

Method 2. Remove Third-Party Software

Some third-party applications, especially potentially unwanted programs, have been known to contribute to errors like NetBT 4311. If programs you did not install are on your machine, they could be unsafe and malicious. It is better to remove them immediately.

On the other hand, some safe programs might conflict with certain system components and cause the error.

There are two ways to remove an installed program normally in Windows 10: using the Control Panel and through the Settings app.

Using the Control Panel

1. Open the Start menu and type cpl. Hit Enter on your keyboard or click Control Panel in the search results to launch the applet.
2. Ensure that the viewing mode is set to Category.
3. Click Uninstall a program under Programs.
4. On the Uninstall or change a program screen, right-click the app you wish to remove and click Uninstall.
5. Follow the uninstallation wizard to completely remove the app from your PC.

Using Windows Settings

1. Open the Start menu and select Settings to launch the app. You can also use the Win key + I shortcut on your keyboard to open the app directly.
2. Navigate to Apps > Apps & Features.
3. On the right, locate the app you wish to remove and click it.
4. Click the Uninstall button.
5. If a permission window pops up, click Yes.
6. Click the Uninstall button and wait for the process to finish.

Method 3. Disable Automatic Restart

Some users who encountered the NetBT 4311 error complained that they couldn’t solve the issue because their PCs automatically restarted before they could commence troubleshooting. One way to resolve this is by disabling automatic restart:

1. Open the Start menu and type view advanced system settings to open the System Properties dialog in the Control Panel.
2. In the Startup and Recovery section of the Advanced tab, click Settings.
3. In the Startup and Recovery dialog, untick Automatically restart under the “System failure” section.
4. Click OK to save the change and reboot the machine.

If these methods haven’t solved the issue, you might want to take a look at your hardware.

Method 4. Check Your RAM and Graphics Card

Sometimes, NetBT 4311 is caused by hardware issues. For instance, your system memory sticks and/or graphics card could be damaged or just affected by dust.

If you can, detach your PC’s back and take out the RAM sticks and GPU. Clean them thoroughly, making sure that no dirt lingers in the corners, and slot them back.

Examine your hardware for signs of damage. A damaged GPU or memory stick needs to be replaced.

These methods should help you permanently fix the NetBT 4311 error on Windows 10. You can then resume your gaming without further hassles. If you have something to add or know another solution that isn’t mentioned here, don’t forget to let us know about it in the comments section.