Fix NDIS Bad Version 0x80340004 on Windows

I know this error is infuriating—your network dies out of nowhere, and the only clue is a cryptic hex code that means nothing to most people. But I've seen this exact error dozens of times in my help desk days, and the fix is usually straightforward once you know what triggers it.

The quick fix: reset the network stack

Before you go hunting for driver updates, try this. It works in about 60% of cases because the error often comes from a corrupted TCP/IP stack or a leftover filter driver from an old VPN client.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator (right-click Start, choose “Command Prompt (Admin)” or “Windows PowerShell (Admin)”).
Run these commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:

netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns

Reboot your machine. That alone clears the error for a lot of people, especially if you've recently installed or uninstalled a VPN like Cisco AnyConnect or OpenVPN.

If that doesn't work: update the NDIS driver

The error code itself—0X80340004—means the NDIS (Network Driver Interface Specification) version your network driver is trying to use doesn't match what Windows expects. This happens most often after a Windows feature update, like the jump from Windows 10 1809 to 1903, where the NDIS version changed.

Your network adapter driver is probably old. Here's how to force it to update properly:

Open Device Manager (Win + X, then select Device Manager).
Expand “Network adapters”.
Right-click your Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter (Intel, Realtek, Qualcomm—whatever it is) and choose “Uninstall device”.
Check the box that says “Delete the driver software for this device”.
Click Uninstall, then restart your PC. Windows will reinstall a fresh driver automatically.

If Windows doesn't pick up the right driver, visit the adapter manufacturer's website (Intel, Realtek, etc.) and download the latest driver manually. Don't rely on Windows Update—it's often months behind.

Why this works

NDIS is the layer that lets protocols (like TCP/IP) talk to your network hardware. When Windows updates, it may bump the NDIS version (say, from 6.4 to 6.6). Your old driver was written for an earlier version, and when it tries to load, Windows throws 0X80340004 because the version field in the driver's header doesn't match what the OS expects.

Resetting Winsock clears the catalog of LSPs (Layered Service Providers) that some VPNs install—those can interfere with the NDIS version handshake. And uninstalling the driver forces Windows to fetch one that's compatible with the current NDIS interface.

Less common variations (and how to spot them)

Sometimes the error shows up in a different context. Here are three I've run into:

During VPN installation: If you get 0X80340004 when installing a VPN, it's not your adapter—it's the VPN's virtual NDIS driver. Check the VPN vendor's site for a version compatible with your Windows build. For Cisco AnyConnect, that usually means updating to the latest release.
In Event Viewer: You might see it logged under “NDIS” in the System log, without a visible popup. If your network randomly drops and the event log shows this error, the same fix applies—reset and update.
After a failed Windows update: If an update partially installed, the NDIS.sys file may be mismatched. In that case, run sfc /scannow from an admin command prompt, then DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. That's a trickier path, but it saved me a few times.

Prevention: stop it from coming back

Once you've fixed it, don't let it sneak back. Here's my practical checklist:

Set driver updates to manual approval. Windows Update sometimes pushes broken drivers. Go to Device Manager, right-click your adapter, choose “Update driver” > “Browse my computer” > “Let me pick” and select the latest one. It's a hassle, but it prevents surprise breakage.
Uninstall old VPNs properly. If you switch VPNs, use the vendor's uninstaller, then reboot. Leftover virtual adapters are the #1 cause of NDIS errors.
Keep your network driver current. Check the manufacturer's site every few months or use a tool like DriverStore Explorer to see what's actually installed.

That's the whole playbook. No magic, just the steps that work. If you're still stuck after trying this, drop me a comment with your adapter model and Windows version—I'll do my best to point you in the right direction.