7 Essential Steps to Enable SNMP Windows 11 for Network Monitoring

Why This List Matters

SNMP Windows 11 configuration has changed significantly from previous Windows versions. Microsoft removed the traditional Control Panel installation method starting with Windows 10 version 1809, requiring IT administrators to use PowerShell or the Settings GUI instead. This shift has created confusion for network administrators trying to enable Simple Network Management Protocol on their Windows 11 machines.

This comprehensive list provides seven proven steps to successfully install and configure the SNMP service on Windows 11. Whether you’re monitoring network devices, troubleshooting SNMP packets, or setting up PRTG for enterprise monitoring, these actionable steps will get your Windows machine ready for network monitoring in under 15 minutes.

Quick Overview

Here’s what you’ll accomplish with these seven essential steps:

• Install SNMP service using PowerShell or Windows Settings
• Configure community strings for secure authentication
• Set up SNMP traps for proactive monitoring
• Enable WMI SNMP Provider for enhanced functionality
• Configure firewall rules to allow SNMP traffic
• Test SNMP connectivity to verify proper configuration
• Optimize security settings for production environments

1. Install SNMP Service via PowerShell or Optional Features

Windows 11 requires you to install SNMP through PowerShell or the Optional Features interface, as the traditional Control Panel method is no longer available. The PowerShell method is faster and ideal for scripting across multiple machines.

PowerShell Installation Method:
Open PowerShell as Administrator and run the following commands:

Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name "SNMP.Client~~~~0.0.1.0"
Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name "WMI-SNMP-Provider.Client~~~~0.0.1.0"

GUI Installation Method:
Navigate to Settings > System > Optional Features > View Features. Search for “Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)” and click Next to install. This method works identically on Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016/2019.

Pro Tip: Use DISM commands if WindowsCapability fails: dism /online /add-capability /capabilityname:SNMP.Client~~~~0.0.1.0

For comprehensive SNMP monitoring solutions, explore our guide on A Guide to SNMP Monitoring: Top 10 Tools Uncovered.

2. Configure SNMP Community Strings for Authentication

Community strings act as passwords for SNMP authentication. Windows 11 supports SNMP v1 and SNMP v2c by default, though SNMP v3 requires third-party tools for enhanced security.

Open services.msc and locate “SNMP Service.” Right-click and select Properties, then navigate to the Security tab. Here you’ll configure:

• Community name: Default is “public” (read-only access)
• Permissions: Choose between Read-Only, Read-Write, or Read-Create
• Accepted community strings: Add your network monitoring tool’s community string

Security Best Practice: Never use default community strings like “public” or “private” in production environments. Create unique, complex community strings and restrict access to specific IP addresses.

Configure the “Accepted SNMP packets” section to specify which hosts can query your Windows machine. Add your monitoring server’s IP address to prevent unauthorized SNMP access.

3. Enable SNMP Traps for Proactive Monitoring

SNMP traps allow your Windows 11 machine to send unsolicited notifications to your network monitoring system when specific events occur, enabling proactive rather than reactive monitoring.

In the SNMP Service Properties, switch to the Traps tab. Add your community name (matching your monitoring tool’s configuration), then specify the trap destinations—typically your PRTG server or other network monitoring platform’s IP address.

Common trap scenarios include:

• System startup and shutdown events
• Authentication failures
• Network interface status changes
• Critical service failures

Pro Tip: Configure trap destinations before enabling traps to ensure no events are missed during initial setup. Learn more about enabling SNMP on various operating systems for cross-platform monitoring.

4. Configure the SNMP Agent Tab Settings

The Agent tab defines what information your Windows 11 system will share via SNMP queries. This metadata helps network administrators identify and categorize devices in their monitoring infrastructure.

Configure these essential fields:

• Contact: IT administrator email or phone number
• Location: Physical location of the Windows machine
• Services: Select which services to monitor (Physical, Applications, Datalink/Subnetwork, Internet, End-to-End)

Enabling the appropriate service checkboxes determines which OIDs (Object Identifiers) respond to SNMP queries. For comprehensive Windows monitoring, enable all five service categories to ensure your monitoring tool can collect CPU load, disk usage, bandwidth, and network traffic data.

5. Configure Windows Firewall to Allow SNMP Traffic

SNMP uses UDP port 161 for queries and UDP port 162 for traps. Windows 11’s firewall blocks these ports by default, preventing network monitoring tools from communicating with your SNMP agent.

Automatic Firewall Configuration:
When you install SNMP service, Windows typically creates firewall rules automatically. Verify by opening Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security and checking for “SNMP Service (UDP In)” rules.

Manual Firewall Configuration:
If rules don’t exist, create them manually:

1. Open Windows Defender Firewall > Advanced Settings
2. Click “Inbound Rules” > “New Rule”
3. Select “Port” > UDP > Specific local ports: 161, 162
4. Allow the connection and apply to all profiles
5. Name the rule “SNMP Service”

Pro Tip: Restrict the firewall rule to specific remote IP addresses (your monitoring servers) for enhanced security.

6. Verify SNMP Service Startup Type and Status

After installation and configuration, ensure the SNMP Service starts automatically and is currently running. Misconfigured startup types are a common cause of monitoring failures.

Open services.msc and locate “SNMP Service.” Right-click and select Properties. Set the Startup type to “Automatic” to ensure the service starts with Windows. Click “Start” if the service isn’t currently running.

Verify the WMI SNMP Provider service is also running, as it enables Windows Management Instrumentation to respond to SNMP queries. This integration allows monitoring tools to collect detailed Windows performance metrics via SNMP.

Troubleshooting: If the service fails to start, check the Event Viewer (Windows Logs > Application) for error messages. Common issues include incorrect community string configurations or conflicting network services.

For endpoint monitoring beyond SNMP, review our Top 10 Endpoint Management and Monitoring Tools.

7. Test SNMP Configuration with Network Monitoring Tools

Testing validates that your SNMP Windows 11 configuration works correctly before deploying to production monitoring systems.

Testing Methods:

Using PRTG Network Monitor:
Add your Windows 11 device using its IP address and the community string you configured. PRTG will automatically discover available SNMP sensors and begin monitoring system metrics.

Using Command-Line Tools:
Install SNMP utilities on another Windows machine and run:

snmpwalk -v2c -c [community_string] [target_IP] system

Using PowerShell:
Query SNMP OIDs directly:

Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_OperatingSystem -ComputerName [target_IP]

Successful tests should return system information including operating system version, uptime, and hardware details. If queries fail, verify community strings match exactly, firewall rules are active, and the SNMP service is running.

Pro Tip: Test from multiple network segments to ensure firewall rules and network routing permit SNMP traffic across your infrastructure.

Key Takeaways

• PowerShell is essential: Windows 11 requires PowerShell or Settings GUI for SNMP installation—Control Panel methods no longer work
• Security matters: Always change default community strings and restrict SNMP access to specific IP addresses
• Firewall configuration is critical: UDP ports 161 and 162 must be open for SNMP communication
• Test thoroughly: Verify SNMP functionality before relying on it for production monitoring
• WMI integration enhances monitoring: Enable WMI SNMP Provider for comprehensive Windows metrics

Which Step Will You Try First?

Start with Step 1 to install the SNMP service via PowerShell—it’s the fastest method and works consistently across Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server environments. Once installed, proceed sequentially through community string configuration, trap setup, and firewall rules.

For organizations managing multiple Windows machines, consider scripting the PowerShell installation and configuration steps for automated deployment. This approach ensures consistent SNMP configuration across your entire Windows infrastructure.

Ready to implement enterprise-grade network monitoring? Explore how PRTG compares to other network monitoring solutions to find the best tool for your SNMP Windows 11 monitoring needs.