<p>MySQL cannot start a network connection because the Windows Sockets API failed to initialize.</p>
<p>MySQL Error 1383: ER_WSAS_FAILED happens when WSAStartup cannot initialize the Windows Sockets layer, blocking any TCP or named-pipe connections. Check antivirus locks, missing winsock DLLs, or exhausted system resources, then restart the computer or reinstall TCP/IP to restore connectivity.</p>
WSAStartup Failed
The server or client called the Windows Sockets API startup routine and received a failure code. Without a valid Winsock stack, MySQL cannot open listening ports or create outbound connections.
The error appears only on Windows hosts because WSAStartup is a Microsoft networking requirement. It can surface during service startup, interactive client launches, or replication threads.
Administrators most often see it immediately after reboot, during MySQL service start, or when launching mysql.exe. A damaged winsock catalog, antivirus hook, or low memory event blocks the API.
Developers may see it sporadically on heavily loaded CI runners where thousands of sockets are created per minute, exhausting descriptor limits.
Until WSAStartup succeeds, MySQL is unreachable over TCP, meaning applications, replication, and monitoring all fail. Rapid resolution restores application uptime and prevents data drift in replicas.
Corrupted winsock registry entries after malware removal or faulty VPN software can stop the API from loading.
Resource exhaustion such as exceeding 16,384 concurrent sockets can return WSASYSNOTREADY, which MySQL surfaces as ER_WSAS_FAILED.
Disabled or missing system DLLs like ws2_32.dll block initialization completely.
First, reboot the host to release lingering sockets. If the error persists, reset the winsock catalog and reinstall TCP/IP.
Check antivirus or endpoint protection logs for blocked winsock calls and create an exception for mysqld.exe.
After installing a VPN client, MySQL fails to start. Uninstall the VPN, run netsh winsock reset, and reboot.
On a build agent, thousands of short-lived connections exhaust sockets. Lower connection churn or increase MaxUserPort in the registry.
Keep network drivers and Windows updated to ensure compatible winsock components.
Monitor socket counts with perfmon and alert when usage exceeds 80 percent of the limit.
Use Galaxy to run health-check queries that verify MySQL services are reachable after patch cycles.
Error 2003: Can't connect to MySQL server - occurs when ER_WSAS_FAILED prevents port 3306 from opening.
Error 10060: Connection timed out - shows up on clients when the server fails to listen due to winsock issues.
Malware or misbehaving network tools rewrite winsock LSP entries, breaking WSAStartup.
Security software injects DLLs that block or delay winsock initialization for mysqld.exe.
Surges in concurrent connections exhaust available sockets, leading the API to refuse further initialization.
Accidental deletion of ws2_32.dll or wsock32.dll stops the API from loading.
Cannot connect because the server fails to bind port 3306, often a downstream effect of ER_WSAS_FAILED.
Low-level system error that bubbles up as MySQL 1383.
Unknown MySQL server host due to DNS issues after winsock corruption.
No. WSAStartup is Windows-specific, so the error never appears on Linux or macOS hosts.
Sometimes. Resetting winsock and restarting the MySQL service may work, but a reboot guarantees all sockets are cleared.
Reinstalling rarely fixes winsock corruption. Focus on repairing Windows networking first.
Galaxy lets you test connectivity quickly and share diagnostic queries with teammates, speeding root-cause analysis.
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