Socket error 10051 occurs when a computer can’t connect to another network or server due to an unreachable network, firewall restrictions, downed or damaged router/modem, or misconfiguration. Troubleshoot by disabling the firewall, resetting the router/modem, checking for misconfiguration, and configuring the computer to talk to only one router.
A socket error, such as socket error 10051, occurs whenever a computer tries to connect to another network or server. Error 10051 occurs because the other network is unreachable, usually because there is a problem with the router or modem on the computer attempting to connect. This can be as harmless as the router being shut down or a firewall getting in the way. At the end of the spectrum, your router may be misconfigured or it may have been trashed and not working.
Whenever a connection cannot be established, such as in the case of socket error 10051, one of the most common culprits is a firewall program. Although created to protect your computer, a firewall can restrict friendly connections. You should disable the firewall and see if the connection can go through. If the socket error still appears, the firewall is not responsible.
If your router or modem is down, your computer cannot connect to another server. Someone might have stumbled upon the router or was planning to reset the router and never turned it back on. Turning the router back on should reset the internet server and allow the computer to connect to a server. If your router has been damaged, such as by being bumped or spilled, you may need to completely replace the router.
A misconfigured router can cause socket error 10051. Misconfiguration means that the router believes it can’t communicate with the server, so it won’t attempt to connect. Some advanced users may be able to find the problem, but it’s best to call your Internet provider and have someone check your router’s configuration. The provider will be able to find the problem and tell the user how to fix it.
Some users have more than one router active at the same time. If there is more than one, one part of the computer may believe it should be talking to one router, while another section believes another router should be in use. In this case, neither router is designated as the primary router, so neither will work. Configuring your computer to talk to only one router will alleviate this problem.
A similar problem that some users believe can cause socket error 10051 is when the computer is told not to use any routers. This would make the network unreachable, but produce a different socket error. When the computer has no router configured, it returns a socket error 10065.
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