Never faced any installation issue until recently. Got an update for the 2.3.1 and tried downloading it via the PIA app itself but the download was too slow.Went to the official website and downloaded the install file for v2.3.1 from there.
Switched PIA off, exit PIA and double clicked to install the above mentioned executable file.The install progress stopped with the message “INSTALLING NETWORK ADAPTER”
After a good 5-10mins of staying that way, I get a “The TAP driver installation failed” messagePressing “Try Again” just repeats the process and gives the same error message. Pressing “Continue” installs the app anyway but then, opening PIA gives an error message.Changing OpenVPN to Wireguard under Settings>Connections rid me off this error message but then, trying to connect to a server was impossible.
Attempts at diagnosing and solving the issue
- Uninstalled PIA and TAP Windows to try reinstalling both, thinking reinstalling PIA would reinstall the network adapter like it used to. Reinstalling returned this error message again.
- I thought of installing OpenVPN separately with hopes of having TAP reinstalled but to no avail. The installation gets aborted and the changes get rolled back and I am back to square one.
- The usual, rebooting and hoping everything fixed itself. Didn’t work.
- Deleted VPN adapter from Device manager in Control panel, rebooted computer, reinstalled PIA. Same error popped up, TAP still not installed.
- Rebooted to safe mode with networking, still the same error message.
- Rebooted with driver signature verification disabled, same error message.
- I tried to reinstall the tap adapter but it returned this error massage. I clicked OK and the installation completed somehow and I had TAP on my computer again. Hopeful that reinstalling PIA may work this time, I tried reinstalling. Same.Freaking.Error.
Finally, clueless and desperate, posting here looking for some help.Would really appreciate if the devs could reach out to me and help me out, really hard to live without PIA.
Last time I had an installation issue similar to yours, I successfully installed PIA in safe mode. Good luck!
Hey u/FragShire
First of all, I’d like to apologize for the issue you are experiencing and that you had to go through so many steps in an effort to get this resolved. My first inclination was that perhaps you need a fresh uninstall/reinstall, but if that’s not even working in safe-mode, then I believe u/CouchPop may be onto something with his suggestion that there is some sort of software interference preventing the installation of the TAP.
In this case, would you mind submitting a support ticket before you take any further steps so we can gather as much system information as possible before we proceed? You can submit a ticket at this link: https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/helpdesk/new-ticket
Please add “ATTN:SMR” to the subject line.
I certainly wouldn’t recommend re-installing your OS as this is likely something that we can help you get resolved. 
What option did you choose ?
Safe mode with networking?
Oh man, I really appreciate you reaching out. I saw the support ticket page and there was so much info to fill in, it felt easier to make a detailed reddit post. But yes, I will create a support ticket. I was moments away from resetting the OS when I saw this comment. I’m hoping there’s gonna be a way to sort this out, thanks !
Looking forward to your assistance.
It’s been a few years since I’ve had the same issue as you. I think I chose the networking option–but try it both ways if the 1st option fails.
Hey man, I’m dealing with the same issue right now. Did you ever find a solution?
>5. Rebooted to safe mode with networking, still the same error message.
Thanks man, but I have already tested that method out… Did not work for me.
Thing is, I am not worried about PIA not working as much as I am, about diagnosing the error. I have tried installing other VPN services and none of them have worked which makes me wonder if I broke something trying to narrow down what is causing the issue.
Nope, not a thing
At first, the PIA support emails looked promising. They followed up on everything and responded quick.
Ever since they “Escalated” the situation to the escalation team, they have stopped responding to me. It has been a week now. I will be reinstalling my OS today…
Sorry that didn’t work for you. Did you try a system restore?
Damn. Thanks for the reply.
Yeah man, I am afraid that is the only way left.
Just so we are clear, you’re talking about the “reset” thing right?
I’m gonna wait until tomorrow and if I don’t have any solution, I’m going for the “reset without erasing data”.
It is going times suck though, I’ll be losing a lot of stuff… Will have to reinstall all of them. What’s more worrying is even that might not fix my problem (because I still don’t know what the root of the problem is…)
No, it’s not a full reset. You can restore the system to the condition it was in prior to the failed install–if the restore points are available. Go to Control Panel>Open System Restore>Next>Show More Restore Points> Select a date that was prior to the failed install and click next. Continue with the process…
Hey, this looks really promising
Will I be losing any data in this process ?
Only software changes made after that date
Okay, so I restored to a previous point and surprisingly, the latest update of PIA still won’t install. Installation gets stuck at “Installing Network Adapter” and after a while, it says TAP could not be installed. What’s worse is I now cant even use the older version of PIA that I had pre-update.
Oh brother! Was the restore point prior to the first failed install?
Yessir… It was a good 5 days before that. I checked the version, it was the penultimate release… I am starting to wonder if I completely ruined my network drivers or something haha… I am at the last resort of resetting my system…
I’ll wait for a few hours but I don’t see the devs paying any heed to the post…
I’m just about out of bad ideas, lol. By any chance, did you disable your antivirus and firewall prior to installing? If you didn’t , I suggest you give it a go. Also try and get your hands on an older version of PIA and give that a shot, too. When I had this issue, it lasted for two weeks, so don’t get too frustrated.
