How to Solve Critical Windows Server 2025 Network Profile Errors After Restart: Proven Solutions

Why Does Windows Server 2025 Switch to Public Network Profile After Reboot? Fixes for Frustrating Domain Issues

After rebooting a Windows Server 2025 domain controller, the network profile may unexpectedly change from “Domain” to “Public.” This misclassification disrupts essential server operations and security, leading to widespread connectivity and management failures.

Key Problems Caused by Network Profile Switching

Group Policy Failures

GPOs may not apply or update because the server fails to recognize its domain membership.

Active Directory Replication Issues

Domain controllers can’t replicate, as required ports (TCP 135, 389, 636, 3268) are blocked by the restrictive Public firewall profile.

DNS Failures

DNS queries fail since the Public profile blocks DNS ports (TCP/UDP 53), making the server unreachable for name resolution.

Domain Join and Authentication Failures

Clients cannot join the domain or authenticate because Kerberos (TCP/UDP 88), LDAP (TCP 389), and related services are blocked.

Remote Management Blocked

Remote tools (MMC, PowerShell Remoting, RDP) are inaccessible, as the Public profile disables many inbound management services.

SYSVOL and Netlogon Share Unavailable

Clients lose access to logon scripts and policy files, as these shares are blocked by default in Public mode.

Server Roles or Application Failures

Any role or application relying on domain connectivity (file servers, certificate services) may malfunction.

Root Cause

The issue is linked to how the Network Location Awareness (NLA) service detects network status. In Server 2025, an LDAP packet tries to reach the loopback address (::1) via the IPv6 interface, but the packet is dropped. This causes timeouts, incorrect NLA status, and the firewall profile defaults to Public. This problem was seen in Windows Server 2019, fixed in Server 2022, but has resurfaced in Server 2025.

Attempted Fixes That Do Not Work

• Delaying NLA service startup
• Making NLA dependent on DNS
• Modifying registry keys
• Simply adding an IPv6 address (does not resolve the root cause)

Practical Solution: Automated Network Profile Correction

PowerShell Script to Detect and Correct Profile

Script checks all network adapters. If any are set to Public, it restarts the adapter to trigger correct domain detection.

Save as Fix-NetworkCategory.ps1 in C:\Startup-Scripts:

$profiles = Get-NetConnectionProfile
foreach ($profile in $profiles) {
if ($profile.NetworkCategory -eq "Public") {
$interfaceAlias = $profile.InterfaceAlias
Write-Host "Restarting adapter: $interfaceAlias (Public network)"
Restart-NetAdapter -Name $interfaceAlias -Confirm:$false
}
}

Schedule the Script to Run at Startup

1. Create a new scheduled task named “Reset-NIC.”
2. Set trigger: “When the computer starts.”
3. Action: Start a program, using:

   powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "C:\Startup-Scripts\Fix-NetworkCategory.ps1"

4. Set the task to run as SYSTEM if execution issues occur.

Test After Reboot

Reboot the server and confirm the network profile remains set to Domain.

Best Practices for Ongoing Reliability

• Monitor network profile status after updates or reboots.
• Keep scripts and scheduled tasks up to date.
• Watch for official Microsoft patches addressing this recurring issue.

Automating the detection and correction of the network profile prevents critical server disruptions and maintains secure, reliable domain controller operations. This approach is a practical workaround until Microsoft provides a permanent fix.