How to Reset SMB Direct on Windows 11 Without Reinstalling Features

SMB Direct is a feature in Windows 11 that enables high-speed file transfers over network adapters that support Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA). When SMB Direct stops working, file transfers become slow or fail entirely. This often happens after a network driver update or a Windows update changes RDMA settings. This article explains how to reset SMB Direct on Windows 11 without reinstalling the feature, using built-in tools and commands.

Why SMB Direct Fails on Windows 11

SMB Direct relies on RDMA-capable network adapters and the correct configuration of several Windows components. The most common cause of failure is a mismatch between the RDMA driver version and the Windows build after an update. A Windows update may change the network stack settings, such as Receive Side Scaling (RSS) or Virtual Machine Queue (VMQ), which SMB Direct requires. Additionally, a network driver update can disable RDMA functions or reset the adapter to a non-RDMA state. The feature itself remains installed, but its dependencies become misconfigured. Resetting SMB Direct means restoring these dependencies without removing and reinstalling the SMB Direct feature, which avoids potential side effects like losing custom network settings.

Prerequisites Before Resetting SMB Direct

Before you reset SMB Direct, verify that your network adapter supports RDMA. Open Device Manager, expand Network adapters, right-click your adapter, select Properties, and go to the Advanced tab. Look for an entry named RDMA or NetworkDirect. If you do not see it, your adapter does not support RDMA, and SMB Direct will not work. Also, ensure you have administrator privileges on the device. All commands in this article must be run in an elevated PowerShell or Command Prompt session.

Steps to Reset SMB Direct on Windows 11

Follow these steps in order. Do not skip any step unless instructed.

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator
   Press the Windows key, type PowerShell, right-click Windows PowerShell, and select Run as administrator. Confirm the User Account Control prompt.
2. Disable SMB Direct
   In the PowerShell window, run this command:
   Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName SmbDirect
   Wait for the operation to complete. You may see a progress bar. This command removes the SMB Direct feature from the active Windows image but does not delete the feature binaries.
3. Restart the Computer
   Run Restart-Computer in PowerShell or restart manually. A restart is required to fully disable the feature.
4. Re-enable SMB Direct
   After restart, open PowerShell as administrator again. Run:
   Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName SmbDirect
   This re-enables SMB Direct and reconfigures its dependencies to default values.
5. Restart the Computer Again
   Run Restart-Computer to apply the changes.
6. Verify Receive Side Scaling (RSS) Is Enabled
   Open Command Prompt as administrator. Run:
   netsh int tcp show global
   Look for the line Receive Side Scaling. If it says disabled, run:
   netsh int tcp set global rss=enabled
   RSS must be enabled for SMB Direct to function correctly.
7. Verify SMB Direct Is Active
   In PowerShell, run:
   Get-SmbClientConfiguration | Select-Object EnableSmbDirect
   If the output shows True, SMB Direct is enabled. If False, run:
   Set-SmbClientConfiguration -EnableSmbDirect $true
   Then restart the computer.

If SMB Direct Still Has Issues After the Main Fix

If the reset steps above do not restore SMB Direct, check for these specific problems.

Network Adapter RDMA Driver Is Outdated

An outdated or incompatible RDMA driver can prevent SMB Direct from working even after a feature reset. Download the latest driver from your network adapter manufacturer’s website. Do not use the driver from Windows Update. After installing the driver, repeat the reset steps.

Virtual Machine Queue (VMQ) Is Disabled

SMB Direct requires VMQ to be enabled on the network adapter. Open Device Manager, right-click your network adapter, select Properties, go to the Advanced tab, and set Virtual Machine Queue to Enabled. If the option is missing, your adapter may not support VMQ. After changing the setting, restart the computer.

Windows Firewall Is Blocking SMB Direct Traffic

SMB Direct uses port 445 over TCP. Ensure the inbound rule File and Printer Sharing (SMB-In) is enabled in Windows Defender Firewall. Open Control Panel, go to Windows Defender Firewall, click Advanced settings, select Inbound Rules, find the rule, and confirm its status is Enabled.

Network Adapter Is Not Bound to the SMB Direct Provider

Run the following PowerShell command to list RDMA adapters and their binding status:
Get-NetAdapterRDMA
If the Enabled column shows False for your adapter, run:
Enable-NetAdapterRDMA -Name "AdapterName"
Replace AdapterName with the actual name from the first command. Then restart the computer.

Reset SMB Direct Without Reinstalling vs Full Feature Reinstall

Item	Reset Without Reinstalling	Full Feature Reinstall
Time required	10 to 15 minutes	30 to 45 minutes
Steps	Disable feature, restart, enable feature, restart	Remove feature, restart, add feature, restart
Risk to custom settings	Low – only SMB Direct dependencies reset	Moderate – may reset SMB protocol settings
Internet required	No	Yes, to download feature binaries

Resetting without reinstalling is faster and safer because it does not require an internet connection or modify the SMB protocol stack. Use the reset method first. Only attempt a full reinstall if the reset fails to resolve the issue.

You can now reset SMB Direct on Windows 11 without reinstalling features using PowerShell commands and a few verification steps. The key commands are Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature and Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature with the SmbDirect feature name. After resetting, verify that RSS and VMQ are enabled on your network adapter. For persistent issues, check the RDMA driver version and firewall rules. As an advanced tip, use the Get-NetAdapterRDMA cmdlet to confirm that your adapter is RDMA-capable before troubleshooting further.