Network interfaces are missing in the StarWind Console
- Troubleshooting
- June 05, 2026
- Download as PDF
Introduction
When configuring HA devices and setting up Synchronization and Heartbeat channels in StarWind VSAN, it may happen that the interfaces are missing from the configuration list. This typically occurs not because of a hardware failure, but because of a service conflict on the default iSCSI port.
Symptoms
During HA configuration on the step of choosing Sync and Heartbeat channels all IPs are missing. All IPs are missing in StarWind Management Console Configuration tab as well.
Cause
One of the usual reasons for missing interfaces is a port conflict. StarWind VSAN uses TCP port 3260 for iSCSI traffic. If another service or application has already claimed this port, the StarWind service cannot initialize its networking stack correctly, resulting in the console showing no available adapters.
The most frequent culprit is the Microsoft iSCSI Target Server role. While this is a native Windows feature, it is often accidentally installed as part of the “File and Storage Services” bundle during initial server setup. When active, it preempts StarWind’s access to port 3260, effectively hiding the network interfaces from the StarWind management layer.
Resolution
MS iSCSI Target Server can be uninstalled via Server Management Console > Manage > Remove Roles and Features > Server Roles > iSCSI Target Server. Any other software that uses port 3260 should be uninstalled as well.
After this StarWind service must be restarted.
Tip: To investigate, it is possible to check the ID of the process utilizing the port with netstat -ano in command prompt. Having the ID, it is then easy to find the process in the Task Manager.
Conclusion
In most cases, missing network interfaces are a symptom of a software-level resource conflict rather than a configuration error within StarWind itself. By ensuring that the Microsoft iSCSI Target Role is disabled and port 3260 is dedicated solely to StarWind, you can ensure the service binds correctly to all available NICs, allowing for a smooth HA configuration.
