The Windows Vista Device Manager reports that there are three devices which have a problem (code 31): Microsoft 6to4 Adaptor #2, 6to4 Adaptor #4, and ISATAP Adaptor #4. Device Manager is unable to update the drivers as they are reported to be up-to-date. The computer appears to be running alright with the adaptors disabled. How can I correct the problems with the adaptors?

These devices are virtual network adapters created by Windows Vista in case you need to use IPv6. For those not familiar, IPv6 is the next version of the internet protocol. Currently the majority of computers are using IPv4. However, there are some issues starting to emerge with IPv4 (such as running out of unique network addresses which can be assigned to computers on networks). As such, IPv6 is starting to be introduced as a solution to many of the IPv4 shortcomings. For example, IPv6 has a much larger network address space than IPv4. However, because most of the world’s networks are still IPv4 in order to run IPv6 over these networks there needs to be some translation which essentially involves encapsulating IPv6 network packets to travel over an IPv4 network. These virtual network adapters allow for this to happen. As you can see, unless you are running IPv6 (which is incredibly unlikely) then you have no need for these adapters. In fact, they are generally automatically installed when you create certain types of network adapters on the computer. So it is likely that these were just automatically created without your knowledge.

It seems that many other people are reporting the same issue with these devices returning a code 31, most without any success in resolving the problem. However, since these are not needed or necessary you should be able to keep them disabled without any problem. That said, I would encourage you to keep monitoring the internet for any developments on whether this problem will be solved. Searching Google for “Microsoft 6to4 adaptor code 31” will yield many other users experiencing exactly the same problem.