Quick answer: TAP-Windows Adapter V9 is a legitimate virtual network driver created by the OpenVPN project. It is not malware. It almost certainly appeared because you installed a VPN application, and it exists so that VPN software has a network interface to route your traffic through. If you no longer use that VPN, you can safely remove it.
Most people find this entry while scrolling through Network Connections or Device Manager, see an adapter they never knowingly installed, and reasonably wonder whether something has got onto their machine. The short version is no. Here is what it actually is.
What the TAP adapter actually does
A normal network adapter corresponds to real hardware: your Wi-Fi card, your Ethernet port. TAP-Windows is different. It is a virtual adapter, meaning Windows treats it as a network interface even though no physical device exists.
That matters because a VPN needs somewhere to send your traffic. When you connect, your VPN client does not reroute your Wi-Fi card directly. Instead it hands traffic to this virtual adapter, which passes it to the VPN software, which then wraps it up and sends it out through your real connection.
Think of it as a doorway that software can use. Your data goes through the doorway, the VPN client picks it up on the other side, and your physical adapter carries it to the internet.
One common misconception, worth correcting
You will see claims online that the TAP adapter provides encryption or “advanced encryption standards”. It does not. The TAP driver performs no encryption whatsoever. It is a plumbing component, nothing more. All encryption is handled by the VPN software itself, such as OpenVPN. The adapter simply provides the interface that software needs to exist.
This distinction matters when troubleshooting: if your VPN connection is insecure or failing, the TAP adapter is rarely the culprit.
Why is it on my computer?
Almost always because a VPN put it there. The driver ships bundled with OpenVPN and with a great many commercial VPN clients that use the OpenVPN protocol under the hood.
- You installed a VPN app at some point, even briefly, and the adapter remained after you stopped using it.
- Your employer’s remote access software installed it for connecting to a work network.
- Software that bundles a VPN, such as certain antivirus suites or download managers, added it quietly during setup.
- A virtual machine or network tool that needed a virtual interface.
If none of those ring a bell, it is worth reviewing your installed programs. The driver itself is trustworthy, but software that installs things without telling you is worth a second look.
Why does it say “Network cable unplugged”?
This is the single most common question about the adapter, and the answer is reassuring: that status is completely normal when you are not connected to a VPN.
Because there is no physical cable, Windows reports the adapter as disconnected whenever the VPN tunnel is inactive. Connect your VPN and the status changes on its own. Nothing is broken and nothing needs fixing.
Is it safe? Is it a virus?
The genuine TAP-Windows driver is safe. It is open-source, digitally signed by OpenVPN Inc., and used by millions of installations.
The sensible caution is about provenance rather than the driver itself. Verify it is the real thing:
- Open Device Manager, expand Network adapters, and find TAP-Windows Adapter V9.
- Right-click it, choose Properties, then the Driver tab.
- Check that the digital signer reads OpenVPN or the name of a VPN vendor you recognise.
An unsigned driver, or one signed by something you do not recognise, is worth investigating further.
How to enable the TAP adapter
If your VPN fails to connect and reports a missing or disabled adapter, enabling it manually often resolves the problem.
- Open Control Panel and select Network and Sharing Center.
- Click Change adapter settings in the left-hand panel to list every network adapter, including virtual ones.
- Right-click TAP-Windows Adapter V9 and choose Enable. If it already says Enable is unavailable, the adapter is active and your problem lies elsewhere.
A quicker route to the same screen: press Windows + R, type ncpa.cpl and press Enter.
How to remove it
If you have uninstalled the VPN that created it and the adapter is just sitting there, removing it is harmless.
- Open Device Manager and expand Network adapters.
- Right-click TAP-Windows Adapter V9 and select Uninstall device.
- Tick Delete the driver software for this device if offered, then confirm.
- Restart your computer.
One caveat worth heeding: if you still use any VPN, leave it alone. Removing it will break that VPN’s ability to connect, and you will simply have to reinstall the client to get the adapter back.
TAP versus Wintun: why you might see a different adapter
The TAP driver has been around a long time, and OpenVPN has since introduced a newer alternative called Wintun, which is lighter and generally faster. Many modern VPN clients now install Wintun instead, or offer a choice between the two.
| TAP-Windows V9 | Wintun | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | Long-established, widely supported | Newer |
| Performance | Good | Generally faster, lower overhead |
| Layer | Can operate at layer 2 (Ethernet) | Layer 3 only |
| Compatibility | Broadest, including older clients | Requires newer software |
| Still needed? | Yes, for bridging and older setups | Preferred for most modern use |
If your VPN client offers both, Wintun is usually the better default. Keep TAP if you need layer 2 bridging or your software requires it.
Troubleshooting common problems
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Adapter missing entirely | Driver removed or never installed | Reinstall your VPN client, which restores it |
| “All TAP-Windows adapters are in use” | Only one adapter, multiple connections attempted | Close other VPN sessions, or add another TAP adapter via the OpenVPN utility |
| Yellow warning triangle in Device Manager | Corrupted or mismatched driver | Uninstall the device, then reinstall your VPN client |
| Status stuck on “cable unplugged” | Normal when no VPN is connected | No action needed, connect your VPN |
| VPN connects but no internet | Routing or DNS conflict, not the adapter | Flush DNS with ipconfig /flushdns and reconnect |
| Adapter returns after removal | VPN client reinstalls it on launch | Uninstall the VPN client itself first |
Frequently asked questions
Does it slow down my internet?
Not on its own. When idle it does nothing at all. Any slowdown you notice comes from VPN encryption and the distance to the VPN server, not from the adapter.
Can I have more than one?
Yes. OpenVPN ships a utility to add additional TAP adapters, which is useful when you need several simultaneous tunnels. You may see them numbered, such as TAP-Windows Adapter V9 #2.
Should I update the driver?
Generally let your VPN client manage it. Updating the driver independently can leave it out of step with the client software.
Does Windows 11 still use it?
Yes, where the VPN client requires it, though many newer clients now default to Wintun instead.
What does 9.21.2 refer to?
It is simply the driver version number. Different VPN clients bundle different versions, so seeing another number is not a problem.
Related guides
- ipconfig Command in Windows: Check and Fix Network Settings, the fastest way to inspect adapters and clear DNS problems after a VPN disconnect.
- How to Find Your IP Address on Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone, useful for confirming your VPN is actually routing traffic.