diff --git a/src/include/86box/language.h b/src/include/86box/language.h
index e3ffd1db9..ff400fe84 100644
--- a/src/include/86box/language.h
+++ b/src/include/86box/language.h
@@ -163,6 +163,8 @@
 #    define IDS_DYNAREC IDS_2163
 #endif
 #define IDS_2166      2166 // "Video card #2 ""%hs"" is not..."
+#define IDS_2167      2167 // "Network driver initialization failed"
+#define IDS_2168      2168 // "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
 
 #define IDS_4096      4096 // "Hard disk (%s)"
 #define IDS_4097      4097 // "%01i:%01i"
@@ -271,7 +273,7 @@
 
 #define IDS_LANG_ENUS IDS_7168
 
-#define STR_NUM_2048  118
+#define STR_NUM_2048  120
 // UNUSED: #define STR_NUM_3072  11
 #define STR_NUM_4096 40
 #define STR_NUM_4352 6
diff --git a/src/include/86box/network.h b/src/include/86box/network.h
index 3b5be7e76..2684ed1c4 100644
--- a/src/include/86box/network.h
+++ b/src/include/86box/network.h
@@ -64,6 +64,9 @@
 #define NET_PERIOD_10M     0.8
 #define NET_PERIOD_100M    0.08
 
+/* Error buffers for network driver init */
+#define NET_DRV_ERRBUF_SIZE 384
+
 enum {
     NET_LINK_DOWN      = (1 << 1),
     NET_LINK_TEMP_DOWN = (1 << 2),
@@ -118,7 +121,7 @@ typedef struct _netcard_t netcard_t;
 
 typedef struct netdrv_t {
     void (*notify_in)(void *priv);
-    void *(*init)(const netcard_t *card, const uint8_t *mac_addr, void *priv);
+    void *(*init)(const netcard_t *card, const uint8_t *mac_addr, void *priv, char *netdrv_errbuf);
     void (*close)(void *priv);
     void *priv;
 } netdrv_t;
diff --git a/src/network/net_null.c b/src/network/net_null.c
index e69b4acb6..27a0d4da7 100644
--- a/src/network/net_null.c
+++ b/src/network/net_null.c
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ net_null_thread(void *priv)
 #endif
 
 void *
-net_null_init(const netcard_t *card, const uint8_t *mac_addr, void *priv)
+net_null_init(const netcard_t *card, const uint8_t *mac_addr, void *priv, char *netdrv_errbuf)
 {
     net_null_log("Null Network: Init\n");
 
@@ -221,4 +221,4 @@ const netdrv_t net_null_drv = {
     &net_null_init,
     &net_null_close,
     NULL
-};
\ No newline at end of file
+};
diff --git a/src/network/net_pcap.c b/src/network/net_pcap.c
index 8c9326ec3..a672347ca 100644
--- a/src/network/net_pcap.c
+++ b/src/network/net_pcap.c
@@ -408,6 +408,15 @@ net_pcap_prepare(netdev_t *list)
     return (i);
 }
 
+/*
+ * Copy error message to the error buffer
+ * and log if enabled.
+ */
+void net_pcap_error(char *errbuf, const char *message) {
+    strncpy(errbuf, message, NET_DRV_ERRBUF_SIZE);
+    pcap_log("PCAP: %s\n", message);
+}
+
 /*
  * Initialize (Win)Pcap for use.
  *
@@ -416,18 +425,19 @@ net_pcap_prepare(netdev_t *list)
  * tries to attach to the network module.
  */
 void *
-net_pcap_init(const netcard_t *card, const uint8_t *mac_addr, void *priv)
+net_pcap_init(const netcard_t *card, const uint8_t *mac_addr, void *priv, char *netdrv_errbuf)
 {
     char               errbuf[PCAP_ERRBUF_SIZE];
     char              *str;
     char               filter_exp[255];
     struct bpf_program fp;
+    char errbuf_prep[NET_DRV_ERRBUF_SIZE];
 
     char *intf_name = (char *) priv;
 
     /* Did we already load the library? */
     if (libpcap_handle == NULL) {
-        pcap_log("PCAP: net_pcap_init without handle.\n");
+        net_pcap_error(netdrv_errbuf, "net_pcap_init without handle");
         return NULL;
     }
 
@@ -440,7 +450,7 @@ net_pcap_init(const netcard_t *card, const uint8_t *mac_addr, void *priv)
 
     /* Get the value of our capture interface. */
     if ((intf_name[0] == '\0') || !strcmp(intf_name, "none")) {
-        pcap_log("PCAP: no interface configured!\n");
+        net_pcap_error(netdrv_errbuf, "No interface configured");
         return NULL;
     }
 
@@ -451,7 +461,8 @@ net_pcap_init(const netcard_t *card, const uint8_t *mac_addr, void *priv)
     memcpy(pcap->mac_addr, mac_addr, sizeof(pcap->mac_addr));
 
     if ((pcap->pcap = f_pcap_create(intf_name, errbuf)) == NULL) {
-        pcap_log(" Unable to open device: %s!\n", intf_name);
+        snprintf(errbuf_prep, NET_DRV_ERRBUF_SIZE, " Unable to open device: %s!\n", intf_name);
+        net_pcap_error(netdrv_errbuf, errbuf_prep);
         free(pcap);
         return NULL;
     }
@@ -469,7 +480,8 @@ net_pcap_init(const netcard_t *card, const uint8_t *mac_addr, void *priv)
         pcap_log("PCAP: error setting snaplen\n");
 
     if (f_pcap_activate((void *) pcap->pcap) != 0) {
-        pcap_log("PCAP: failed pcap_activate");
+        snprintf(errbuf_prep, NET_DRV_ERRBUF_SIZE, "%s", (char *)f_pcap_geterr(pcap->pcap));
+        net_pcap_error(netdrv_errbuf, errbuf_prep);
         f_pcap_close((void *) pcap->pcap);
         free(pcap);
         return NULL;
@@ -484,13 +496,15 @@ net_pcap_init(const netcard_t *card, const uint8_t *mac_addr, void *priv)
             mac_addr[0], mac_addr[1], mac_addr[2], mac_addr[3], mac_addr[4], mac_addr[5]);
     if (f_pcap_compile((void *) pcap->pcap, &fp, filter_exp, 0, 0xffffffff) != -1) {
         if (f_pcap_setfilter((void *) pcap->pcap, &fp) != 0) {
-            pcap_log("PCAP: error installing filter (%s) !\n", filter_exp);
+            snprintf(errbuf_prep, NET_DRV_ERRBUF_SIZE, "Error installing filter (%s)\n", filter_exp);
+            net_pcap_error(netdrv_errbuf, errbuf_prep);
             f_pcap_close((void *) pcap->pcap);
             free(pcap);
             return NULL;
         }
     } else {
-        pcap_log("PCAP: could not compile filter (%s) : %s!\n", filter_exp, f_pcap_geterr((void *) pcap->pcap));
+        snprintf(errbuf_prep, NET_DRV_ERRBUF_SIZE, "Could not compile filter (%s) : %s!\n", filter_exp, (char *)f_pcap_geterr((void *) pcap->pcap));
+        net_pcap_error(netdrv_errbuf, errbuf_prep);
         f_pcap_close((void *) pcap->pcap);
         free(pcap);
         return NULL;
diff --git a/src/network/net_slirp.c b/src/network/net_slirp.c
index 7651464a2..de6ca3043 100644
--- a/src/network/net_slirp.c
+++ b/src/network/net_slirp.c
@@ -384,7 +384,7 @@ static int slirp_card_num = 2;
 
 /* Initialize SLiRP for use. */
 void *
-net_slirp_init(const netcard_t *card, const uint8_t *mac_addr, void *priv)
+net_slirp_init(const netcard_t *card, const uint8_t *mac_addr, void *priv, char *netdrv_errbuf)
 {
     slirp_log("SLiRP: initializing...\n");
     net_slirp_t *slirp = calloc(1, sizeof(net_slirp_t));
@@ -410,6 +410,7 @@ net_slirp_init(const netcard_t *card, const uint8_t *mac_addr, void *priv)
     slirp->slirp = slirp_init(0, 1, net, mask, host, 0, ipv6_dummy, 0, ipv6_dummy, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, dhcp, dns, ipv6_dummy, NULL, NULL, &slirp_cb, slirp);
     if (!slirp->slirp) {
         slirp_log("SLiRP: initialization failed\n");
+        snprintf(netdrv_errbuf, NET_DRV_ERRBUF_SIZE, "SLiRP initialization failed");
         free(slirp);
         return NULL;
     }
diff --git a/src/network/net_vde.c b/src/network/net_vde.c
index 9bed78a9e..29550b8c9 100644
--- a/src/network/net_vde.c
+++ b/src/network/net_vde.c
@@ -235,6 +235,15 @@ void net_vde_in_available(void *priv) {
     net_event_set(&vde->tx_event);
 }
 
+//+
+// Copy error message to the error buffer
+// and log if enabled.
+//-
+void net_vde_error(char *errbuf, const char *message) {
+    strncpy(errbuf, message, NET_DRV_ERRBUF_SIZE);
+    vde_log("VDE: %s\n", message);
+}
+
 //+
 // Initialize VDE for use
 // At this point the vdeplug library is already loaded
@@ -242,19 +251,19 @@ void net_vde_in_available(void *priv) {
 // mac_addr: MAC address we are using
 // priv: Name of the VDE contol socket directory
 //-
-void *net_vde_init(const netcard_t *card, const uint8_t *mac_addr, void *priv) {
+void *net_vde_init(const netcard_t *card, const uint8_t *mac_addr, void *priv, char *netdrv_errbuf) {
     struct vde_open_args vde_args;
     int i;
 
     char *socket_name = (char *) priv;
 
     if (libvde_handle == NULL) {
-        vde_log("VDE: net_vde_init without library handle!\n");
+        net_vde_error(netdrv_errbuf, "net_vde_init without library handle");
         return NULL;
     }
 
     if ((socket_name[0] == '\0') || !strcmp(socket_name, "none")) {
-        vde_log("VDE: No socket name configured!\n");
+        net_vde_error(netdrv_errbuf, "No socket name configured");
         return NULL;
     }
 
@@ -271,18 +280,10 @@ void *net_vde_init(const netcard_t *card, const uint8_t *mac_addr, void *priv) {
     // We are calling vde_open_real(), not the vde_open() macro...
     if ((vde->vdeconn = f_vde_open(socket_name, VDE_DESCRIPTION, 
                                         LIBVDEPLUG_INTERFACE_VERSION, &vde_args)) == NULL) {
-        vde_log("VDE: Unable to open socket %s (%s)!\n", socket_name, strerror(errno));
+        char buf[NET_DRV_ERRBUF_SIZE];
+        snprintf(buf, NET_DRV_ERRBUF_SIZE, "Unable to open socket %s (%s)", socket_name, strerror(errno));
+        net_vde_error(netdrv_errbuf, buf);
         free(vde);
-        //+
-        // There is a bug upstream that causes an uncontrolled crash if the network is not
-        // properly initialized. 
-        // To avoid that crash, we tell the user we cannot continue and exit the program.
-        // TODO: Once there is a solution for the mentioned crash, this should be removed
-        // and/or replaced by proper error handling code.
-        //-
-        // fatal("Could not open the specified VDE socket (%s). Please fix your networking configuration.", socket_name);
-        // It makes no sense to issue this warning since the program will crash anyway...
-        // ui_msgbox_header(MBX_WARNING, (wchar_t *) IDS_2167, (wchar_t *) IDS_2168);
         return NULL;
     }
     vde_log("VDE: Socket opened (%s).\n", socket_name);
diff --git a/src/network/network.c b/src/network/network.c
index c05c72cd0..dc354a44c 100644
--- a/src/network/network.c
+++ b/src/network/network.c
@@ -442,6 +442,9 @@ network_attach(void *card_drv, uint8_t *mac, NETRXCB rx, NETSETLINKSTATE set_lin
     card->card_num        = net_card_current;
     card->byte_period     = NET_PERIOD_10M;
 
+    char net_drv_error[NET_DRV_ERRBUF_SIZE];
+    wchar_t tempmsg[NET_DRV_ERRBUF_SIZE * 2];
+
     for (int i = 0; i < NET_QUEUE_COUNT; i++) {
         network_queue_init(&card->queues[i]);
     }
@@ -449,17 +452,17 @@ network_attach(void *card_drv, uint8_t *mac, NETRXCB rx, NETSETLINKSTATE set_lin
     switch (net_cards_conf[net_card_current].net_type) {
         case NET_TYPE_SLIRP:
             card->host_drv      = net_slirp_drv;
-            card->host_drv.priv = card->host_drv.init(card, mac, NULL);
+            card->host_drv.priv = card->host_drv.init(card, mac, NULL, net_drv_error);
             break;
 
         case NET_TYPE_PCAP:
             card->host_drv      = net_pcap_drv;
-            card->host_drv.priv = card->host_drv.init(card, mac, net_cards_conf[net_card_current].host_dev_name);
+            card->host_drv.priv = card->host_drv.init(card, mac, net_cards_conf[net_card_current].host_dev_name, net_drv_error);
             break;
 #ifdef HAS_VDE
         case NET_TYPE_VDE:
             card->host_drv      = net_vde_drv;
-            card->host_drv.priv = card->host_drv.init(card, mac, net_cards_conf[net_card_current].host_dev_name);
+            card->host_drv.priv = card->host_drv.init(card, mac, net_cards_conf[net_card_current].host_dev_name, net_drv_error);
             break;
 #endif
         default:
@@ -474,13 +477,14 @@ network_attach(void *card_drv, uint8_t *mac, NETRXCB rx, NETSETLINKSTATE set_lin
 
         if(net_cards_conf[net_card_current].net_type != NET_TYPE_NONE) {
             // We're here because of a failure
-            // Placeholder to display a msgbox about falling back to null
-            ui_msgbox(MBX_ERROR | MBX_ANSI, "Network driver initialization failed. Falling back to NULL driver.");
+            swprintf(tempmsg, sizeof_w(tempmsg), L"%ls:<br /><br />%s<br /><br />%ls", plat_get_string(IDS_2167), net_drv_error, plat_get_string(IDS_2168));
+            ui_msgbox(MBX_ERROR, tempmsg);
+            net_cards_conf[net_card_current].net_type = NET_TYPE_NONE;
         }
 
         // Init null driver
         card->host_drv      = net_null_drv;
-        card->host_drv.priv = card->host_drv.init(card, mac, NULL);
+        card->host_drv.priv = card->host_drv.init(card, mac, NULL, net_drv_error);
         // Set link state to disconnected by default
         network_connect(card->card_num, 0);
         ui_sb_update_icon_state(SB_NETWORK | card->card_num, 1);
diff --git a/src/qt/languages/cs-CZ.po b/src/qt/languages/cs-CZ.po
index 5f85c4f81..422a00947 100644
--- a/src/qt/languages/cs-CZ.po
+++ b/src/qt/languages/cs-CZ.po
@@ -1219,3 +1219,9 @@ msgstr "2% pod dokonalými ot./m"
 msgid "(System Default)"
 msgstr "(Výchozí nastavení systému)"
 
+msgid "Failed to initialize network driver"
+msgstr "Failed to initialize network driver"
+
+msgid "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+msgstr "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+
diff --git a/src/qt/languages/de-DE.po b/src/qt/languages/de-DE.po
index efbd5f95e..568599449 100644
--- a/src/qt/languages/de-DE.po
+++ b/src/qt/languages/de-DE.po
@@ -1219,3 +1219,9 @@ msgstr "2% unterhalb der perfekten Drehzahl"
 msgid "(System Default)"
 msgstr "(Systemstandard)"
 
+msgid "Failed to initialize network driver"
+msgstr "Failed to initialize network driver"
+
+msgid "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+msgstr "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+
diff --git a/src/qt/languages/en-GB.po b/src/qt/languages/en-GB.po
index 7613cf4b3..ddf6e7ef0 100644
--- a/src/qt/languages/en-GB.po
+++ b/src/qt/languages/en-GB.po
@@ -1219,3 +1219,9 @@ msgstr "2% below perfect RPM"
 msgid "(System Default)"
 msgstr "(System Default)"
 
+msgid "Failed to initialize network driver"
+msgstr "Failed to initialize network driver"
+
+msgid "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+msgstr "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+
diff --git a/src/qt/languages/en-US.po b/src/qt/languages/en-US.po
index bf822aceb..09adcdb76 100644
--- a/src/qt/languages/en-US.po
+++ b/src/qt/languages/en-US.po
@@ -1219,3 +1219,9 @@ msgstr "2% below perfect RPM"
 msgid "(System Default)"
 msgstr "(System Default)"
 
+msgid "Failed to initialize network driver"
+msgstr "Failed to initialize network driver"
+
+msgid "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+msgstr "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+
diff --git a/src/qt/languages/es-ES.po b/src/qt/languages/es-ES.po
index 0c2bd6aa9..8fbc442b9 100644
--- a/src/qt/languages/es-ES.po
+++ b/src/qt/languages/es-ES.po
@@ -1219,3 +1219,9 @@ msgstr "2% por debajo de RPM perfectas"
 msgid "(System Default)"
 msgstr "(Por defecto del sistema)"
 
+msgid "Failed to initialize network driver"
+msgstr "Failed to initialize network driver"
+
+msgid "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+msgstr "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+
diff --git a/src/qt/languages/fi-FI.po b/src/qt/languages/fi-FI.po
index 6224472fa..d1c524558 100644
--- a/src/qt/languages/fi-FI.po
+++ b/src/qt/languages/fi-FI.po
@@ -1219,3 +1219,10 @@ msgstr "2% alle täydellisen RPM:n"
 msgid "(System Default)"
 msgstr "(Järjestelmän oletus)"
 
+msgid "Failed to initialize network driver"
+msgstr "Failed to initialize network driver"
+
+msgid "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+msgstr "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+
+
diff --git a/src/qt/languages/fr-FR.po b/src/qt/languages/fr-FR.po
index 3ae18533d..f83c8f5fd 100644
--- a/src/qt/languages/fr-FR.po
+++ b/src/qt/languages/fr-FR.po
@@ -1219,3 +1219,9 @@ msgstr "Précision RPM de moins 2%"
 msgid "(System Default)"
 msgstr "(Défaut du système)"
 
+msgid "Failed to initialize network driver"
+msgstr "Failed to initialize network driver"
+
+msgid "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+msgstr "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+
diff --git a/src/qt/languages/hr-HR.po b/src/qt/languages/hr-HR.po
index 06c3ad8b5..76973f796 100644
--- a/src/qt/languages/hr-HR.po
+++ b/src/qt/languages/hr-HR.po
@@ -1219,3 +1219,9 @@ msgstr "2% ispod savršenog broja okretaja"
 msgid "(System Default)"
 msgstr "(Zadana postavka operativnog sustava)"
 
+msgid "Failed to initialize network driver"
+msgstr "Failed to initialize network driver"
+
+msgid "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+msgstr "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+
diff --git a/src/qt/languages/hu-HU.po b/src/qt/languages/hu-HU.po
index 6658cbb00..2f812ba2e 100644
--- a/src/qt/languages/hu-HU.po
+++ b/src/qt/languages/hu-HU.po
@@ -1219,3 +1219,9 @@ msgstr "2%-kal a tökéletes RPM alatt"
 msgid "(System Default)"
 msgstr "(A rendszer nyelve)"
 
+msgid "Failed to initialize network driver"
+msgstr "Failed to initialize network driver"
+
+msgid "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+msgstr "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+
diff --git a/src/qt/languages/it-IT.po b/src/qt/languages/it-IT.po
index c02e3510f..a9b3b7ce3 100644
--- a/src/qt/languages/it-IT.po
+++ b/src/qt/languages/it-IT.po
@@ -1219,3 +1219,9 @@ msgstr "RPM 2% sotto perfezione"
 msgid "(System Default)"
 msgstr "(Predefinito del sistema)"
 
+msgid "Failed to initialize network driver"
+msgstr "Failed to initialize network driver"
+
+msgid "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+msgstr "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+
diff --git a/src/qt/languages/ja-JP.po b/src/qt/languages/ja-JP.po
index 420d34a2e..eb4e5241e 100644
--- a/src/qt/languages/ja-JP.po
+++ b/src/qt/languages/ja-JP.po
@@ -1219,3 +1219,9 @@ msgstr "2%低い回転数"
 msgid "(System Default)"
 msgstr "(システム既定値)"
 
+msgid "Failed to initialize network driver"
+msgstr "Failed to initialize network driver"
+
+msgid "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+msgstr "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+
diff --git a/src/qt/languages/ko-KR.po b/src/qt/languages/ko-KR.po
index 6d189d8e3..112506fe5 100644
--- a/src/qt/languages/ko-KR.po
+++ b/src/qt/languages/ko-KR.po
@@ -1219,3 +1219,9 @@ msgstr "2% 낮은 회전수"
 msgid "(System Default)"
 msgstr "(시스템 기본값)"
 
+msgid "Failed to initialize network driver"
+msgstr "Failed to initialize network driver"
+
+msgid "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+msgstr "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+
diff --git a/src/qt/languages/pl-PL.po b/src/qt/languages/pl-PL.po
index 26c652c87..7809cd263 100644
--- a/src/qt/languages/pl-PL.po
+++ b/src/qt/languages/pl-PL.po
@@ -1219,3 +1219,9 @@ msgstr "2% poniżej idealnych obrotów"
 msgid "(System Default)"
 msgstr "(Domyślne ustawienie systemowe)"
 
+msgid "Failed to initialize network driver"
+msgstr "Failed to initialize network driver"
+
+msgid "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+msgstr "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+
diff --git a/src/qt/languages/pt-BR.po b/src/qt/languages/pt-BR.po
index 0202b42a7..b6c2e2b70 100644
--- a/src/qt/languages/pt-BR.po
+++ b/src/qt/languages/pt-BR.po
@@ -1219,3 +1219,9 @@ msgstr "2% abaixo das RPM perfeita"
 msgid "(System Default)"
 msgstr "(Padrão do sistema)"
 
+msgid "Failed to initialize network driver"
+msgstr "Failed to initialize network driver"
+
+msgid "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+msgstr "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+
diff --git a/src/qt/languages/pt-PT.po b/src/qt/languages/pt-PT.po
index a8ce8bbca..7e4fc9053 100644
--- a/src/qt/languages/pt-PT.po
+++ b/src/qt/languages/pt-PT.po
@@ -1219,3 +1219,9 @@ msgstr "RPM 2% abaixo do RPM perfeito"
 msgid "(System Default)"
 msgstr "(Padrão do sistema)"
 
+msgid "Failed to initialize network driver"
+msgstr "Failed to initialize network driver"
+
+msgid "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+msgstr "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+
diff --git a/src/qt/languages/ru-RU.po b/src/qt/languages/ru-RU.po
index a424c5f6f..78794cd35 100644
--- a/src/qt/languages/ru-RU.po
+++ b/src/qt/languages/ru-RU.po
@@ -1219,3 +1219,9 @@ msgstr "На 2% медленнее точного RPM"
 msgid "(System Default)"
 msgstr "(Системный)"
 
+msgid "Failed to initialize network driver"
+msgstr "Failed to initialize network driver"
+
+msgid "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+msgstr "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+
diff --git a/src/qt/languages/sl-SI.po b/src/qt/languages/sl-SI.po
index ba11014d2..5f32a6b03 100644
--- a/src/qt/languages/sl-SI.po
+++ b/src/qt/languages/sl-SI.po
@@ -1219,3 +1219,9 @@ msgstr "2% pod popolnimi obrati"
 msgid "(System Default)"
 msgstr "(Sistemsko privzeto)"
 
+msgid "Failed to initialize network driver"
+msgstr "Failed to initialize network driver"
+
+msgid "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+msgstr "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+
diff --git a/src/qt/languages/tr-TR.po b/src/qt/languages/tr-TR.po
index f9608e9d0..72ad49bf8 100644
--- a/src/qt/languages/tr-TR.po
+++ b/src/qt/languages/tr-TR.po
@@ -1219,3 +1219,9 @@ msgstr "mükemmel RPM değerinin 2% altı"
 msgid "(System Default)"
 msgstr "(Sistem Varsayılanı)"
 
+msgid "Failed to initialize network driver"
+msgstr "Failed to initialize network driver"
+
+msgid "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+msgstr "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+
diff --git a/src/qt/languages/uk-UA.po b/src/qt/languages/uk-UA.po
index 4193fe934..4d7708ef6 100644
--- a/src/qt/languages/uk-UA.po
+++ b/src/qt/languages/uk-UA.po
@@ -1219,3 +1219,9 @@ msgstr "На 2% повільніше точного RPM"
 msgid "(System Default)"
 msgstr "(Системний)"
 
+msgid "Failed to initialize network driver"
+msgstr "Failed to initialize network driver"
+
+msgid "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+msgstr "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+
diff --git a/src/qt/languages/zh-CN.po b/src/qt/languages/zh-CN.po
index 65977da27..da37b4fb2 100644
--- a/src/qt/languages/zh-CN.po
+++ b/src/qt/languages/zh-CN.po
@@ -1219,3 +1219,9 @@ msgstr "低于标准转速的 2%"
 msgid "(System Default)"
 msgstr "(系统默认)"
 
+msgid "Failed to initialize network driver"
+msgstr "Failed to initialize network driver"
+
+msgid "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+msgstr "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+
diff --git a/src/qt/languages/zh-TW.po b/src/qt/languages/zh-TW.po
index 1f7b7cfff..e1acd1fbc 100644
--- a/src/qt/languages/zh-TW.po
+++ b/src/qt/languages/zh-TW.po
@@ -1218,3 +1218,10 @@ msgstr "低於標準轉速的 2%"
 
 msgid "(System Default)"
 msgstr "(系統預設)"
+
+msgid "Failed to initialize network driver"
+msgstr "Failed to initialize network driver"
+
+msgid "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+msgstr "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
+
diff --git a/src/qt/qt_platform.cpp b/src/qt/qt_platform.cpp
index 1fa3b5637..125365bc8 100644
--- a/src/qt/qt_platform.cpp
+++ b/src/qt/qt_platform.cpp
@@ -602,6 +602,8 @@ ProgSettings::reloadStrings()
     translatedstrings[IDS_2143] = QCoreApplication::translate("", "Monitor in sleep mode").toStdWString();
     translatedstrings[IDS_2121] = QCoreApplication::translate("", "No ROMs found").toStdWString();
     translatedstrings[IDS_2056] = QCoreApplication::translate("", "86Box could not find any usable ROM images.\n\nPlease <a href=\"https://github.com/86Box/roms/releases/latest\">download</a> a ROM set and extract it into the \"roms\" directory.").toStdWString();
+    translatedstrings[IDS_2167] = QCoreApplication::translate("", "Failed to initialize network driver").toStdWString();
+    translatedstrings[IDS_2168] = QCoreApplication::translate("", "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver").toStdWString();
 
     auto flsynthstr = QCoreApplication::translate("", " is required for FluidSynth MIDI output.");
     if (flsynthstr.contains("libfluidsynth")) {
diff --git a/src/qt/qt_settingsnetwork.cpp b/src/qt/qt_settingsnetwork.cpp
index acc7ebfc4..30e296f05 100644
--- a/src/qt/qt_settingsnetwork.cpp
+++ b/src/qt/qt_settingsnetwork.cpp
@@ -90,8 +90,7 @@ SettingsNetwork::save()
         if (net_cards_conf[i].net_type == NET_TYPE_PCAP) {
             strncpy(net_cards_conf[i].host_dev_name, network_devs[cbox->currentData().toInt()].device, sizeof(net_cards_conf[i].host_dev_name) - 1);
         } else if (net_cards_conf[i].net_type == NET_TYPE_VDE) {
-            const char *str_socket = socket_line->text().toStdString().c_str();
-            strncpy(net_cards_conf[i].host_dev_name, str_socket, strlen(str_socket));
+            strncpy(net_cards_conf[i].host_dev_name, socket_line->text().toUtf8().constData(), sizeof(net_cards_conf[i].host_dev_name));
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/win/languages/cs-CZ.rc b/src/win/languages/cs-CZ.rc
index 238d31b07..573493163 100644
--- a/src/win/languages/cs-CZ.rc
+++ b/src/win/languages/cs-CZ.rc
@@ -542,6 +542,8 @@ BEGIN
     IDS_2164    "Old Dynarec"
     IDS_2165    "New Dynarec"
     IDS_2166    "Video card #2 ""%hs"" is not available due to missing ROMs in the roms/video directory. Disabling the second video card."
+    IDS_2167    "Failed to initialize network driver"
+    IDS_2168    "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
 END
 
 STRINGTABLE DISCARDABLE
diff --git a/src/win/languages/de-DE.rc b/src/win/languages/de-DE.rc
index 0af4a28b5..0dc8a4754 100644
--- a/src/win/languages/de-DE.rc
+++ b/src/win/languages/de-DE.rc
@@ -542,6 +542,8 @@ BEGIN
     IDS_2164    "Old Dynarec"
     IDS_2165    "New Dynarec"
     IDS_2166    "Video card #2 ""%hs"" is not available due to missing ROMs in the roms/video directory. Disabling the second video card."
+    IDS_2167    "Failed to initialize network driver"
+    IDS_2168    "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
 END
 
 STRINGTABLE DISCARDABLE
diff --git a/src/win/languages/en-GB.rc b/src/win/languages/en-GB.rc
index f8dab3bd7..299d100ad 100644
--- a/src/win/languages/en-GB.rc
+++ b/src/win/languages/en-GB.rc
@@ -542,6 +542,8 @@ BEGIN
     IDS_2164    "Old Dynarec"
     IDS_2165    "New Dynarec"
     IDS_2166    "Video card #2 ""%hs"" is not available due to missing ROMs in the roms/video directory. Disabling the second video card."
+    IDS_2167    "Failed to initialize network driver"
+    IDS_2168    "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
 END
 
 STRINGTABLE DISCARDABLE
diff --git a/src/win/languages/en-US.rc b/src/win/languages/en-US.rc
index 66c9d60e2..5c6932a62 100644
--- a/src/win/languages/en-US.rc
+++ b/src/win/languages/en-US.rc
@@ -542,6 +542,8 @@ BEGIN
     IDS_2164    "Old Dynarec"
     IDS_2165    "New Dynarec"
     IDS_2166    "Video card #2 ""%hs"" is not available due to missing ROMs in the roms/video directory. Disabling the second video card."
+    IDS_2167    "Failed to initialize network driver"
+    IDS_2168    "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
 END
 
 STRINGTABLE DISCARDABLE
diff --git a/src/win/languages/es-ES.rc b/src/win/languages/es-ES.rc
index 8ff91d891..8a9e436a9 100644
--- a/src/win/languages/es-ES.rc
+++ b/src/win/languages/es-ES.rc
@@ -542,6 +542,8 @@ BEGIN
     IDS_2164    "Old Dynarec"
     IDS_2165    "New Dynarec"
     IDS_2166    "Video card #2 ""%hs"" is not available due to missing ROMs in the roms/video directory. Disabling the second video card."
+    IDS_2167    "Failed to initialize network driver"
+    IDS_2168    "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
 END
 
 STRINGTABLE DISCARDABLE
diff --git a/src/win/languages/fi-FI.rc b/src/win/languages/fi-FI.rc
index 31467afbf..3f8cdf8b2 100644
--- a/src/win/languages/fi-FI.rc
+++ b/src/win/languages/fi-FI.rc
@@ -542,6 +542,8 @@ BEGIN
     IDS_2164    "Old Dynarec"
     IDS_2165    "New Dynarec"
     IDS_2166    "Video card #2 ""%hs"" is not available due to missing ROMs in the roms/video directory. Disabling the second video card."
+    IDS_2167    "Failed to initialize network driver"
+    IDS_2168    "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
 END
 
 STRINGTABLE DISCARDABLE
diff --git a/src/win/languages/fr-FR.rc b/src/win/languages/fr-FR.rc
index 73e36550d..f5b65a741 100644
--- a/src/win/languages/fr-FR.rc
+++ b/src/win/languages/fr-FR.rc
@@ -542,6 +542,8 @@ BEGIN
     IDS_2164    "Old Dynarec"
     IDS_2165    "New Dynarec"
     IDS_2166    "Video card #2 ""%hs"" is not available due to missing ROMs in the roms/video directory. Disabling the second video card."
+    IDS_2167    "Failed to initialize network driver"
+    IDS_2168    "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
 END
 
 STRINGTABLE DISCARDABLE
diff --git a/src/win/languages/hr-HR.rc b/src/win/languages/hr-HR.rc
index 74e43ebb6..743e14b6f 100644
--- a/src/win/languages/hr-HR.rc
+++ b/src/win/languages/hr-HR.rc
@@ -542,6 +542,8 @@ BEGIN
     IDS_2164    "Old Dynarec"
     IDS_2165    "New Dynarec"
     IDS_2166    "Video card #2 ""%hs"" is not available due to missing ROMs in the roms/video directory. Disabling the second video card."
+    IDS_2167    "Failed to initialize network driver"
+    IDS_2168    "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
 END
 
 STRINGTABLE DISCARDABLE
diff --git a/src/win/languages/hu-HU.rc b/src/win/languages/hu-HU.rc
index bcebd91f0..b4fc976d6 100644
--- a/src/win/languages/hu-HU.rc
+++ b/src/win/languages/hu-HU.rc
@@ -546,6 +546,8 @@ BEGIN
     IDS_2164    "Old Dynarec"
     IDS_2165    "New Dynarec"
     IDS_2166    "Video card #2 ""%hs"" is not available due to missing ROMs in the roms/video directory. Disabling the second video card."
+    IDS_2167    "Failed to initialize network driver"
+    IDS_2168    "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
 END
 
 STRINGTABLE DISCARDABLE
diff --git a/src/win/languages/it-IT.rc b/src/win/languages/it-IT.rc
index e81e07a6e..c5a726062 100644
--- a/src/win/languages/it-IT.rc
+++ b/src/win/languages/it-IT.rc
@@ -543,6 +543,8 @@ BEGIN
     IDS_2164    "Old Dynarec"
     IDS_2165    "New Dynarec"
     IDS_2166    "Video card #2 ""%hs"" is not available due to missing ROMs in the roms/video directory. Disabling the second video card."
+    IDS_2167    "Failed to initialize network driver"
+    IDS_2168    "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
 END
 
 STRINGTABLE DISCARDABLE
diff --git a/src/win/languages/ja-JP.rc b/src/win/languages/ja-JP.rc
index 0b9efec12..36e42e357 100644
--- a/src/win/languages/ja-JP.rc
+++ b/src/win/languages/ja-JP.rc
@@ -542,6 +542,8 @@ BEGIN
     IDS_2164    "Old Dynarec"
     IDS_2165    "New Dynarec"
     IDS_2166    "Video card #2 ""%hs"" is not available due to missing ROMs in the roms/video directory. Disabling the second video card."
+    IDS_2167    "Failed to initialize network driver"
+    IDS_2168    "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
 END
 
 STRINGTABLE DISCARDABLE
diff --git a/src/win/languages/ko-KR.rc b/src/win/languages/ko-KR.rc
index 1949eb6c9..14fff915e 100644
--- a/src/win/languages/ko-KR.rc
+++ b/src/win/languages/ko-KR.rc
@@ -542,6 +542,8 @@ BEGIN
     IDS_2164    "Old Dynarec"
     IDS_2165    "New Dynarec"
     IDS_2166    "두번째 비디오카드 ""%hs""는 roms/video 디렉토리에서 ROM이 누락되어 사용할 수 없습니다. 두번째 비디오 카드를 비활성화 합니다."
+    IDS_2167    "Failed to initialize network driver"
+    IDS_2168    "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
 END
 
 STRINGTABLE DISCARDABLE
diff --git a/src/win/languages/pl-PL.rc b/src/win/languages/pl-PL.rc
index 98dc0c903..0cbadf296 100644
--- a/src/win/languages/pl-PL.rc
+++ b/src/win/languages/pl-PL.rc
@@ -542,6 +542,8 @@ BEGIN
     IDS_2164    "Old Dynarec"
     IDS_2165    "New Dynarec"
     IDS_2166    "Video card #2 ""%hs"" is not available due to missing ROMs in the roms/video directory. Disabling the second video card."
+    IDS_2167    "Failed to initialize network driver"
+    IDS_2168    "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
 END
 
 STRINGTABLE DISCARDABLE
diff --git a/src/win/languages/pt-BR.rc b/src/win/languages/pt-BR.rc
index 723e25685..ceb530c43 100644
--- a/src/win/languages/pt-BR.rc
+++ b/src/win/languages/pt-BR.rc
@@ -545,6 +545,8 @@ BEGIN
     IDS_2164    "Old Dynarec"
     IDS_2165    "New Dynarec"
     IDS_2166    "Video card #2 ""%hs"" is not available due to missing ROMs in the roms/video directory. Disabling the second video card."
+    IDS_2167    "Failed to initialize network driver"
+    IDS_2168    "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
 END
 
 STRINGTABLE DISCARDABLE
diff --git a/src/win/languages/pt-PT.rc b/src/win/languages/pt-PT.rc
index b6a66a325..c1dd53ca5 100644
--- a/src/win/languages/pt-PT.rc
+++ b/src/win/languages/pt-PT.rc
@@ -542,6 +542,8 @@ BEGIN
     IDS_2164    "Old Dynarec"
     IDS_2165    "New Dynarec"
     IDS_2166    "Video card #2 ""%hs"" is not available due to missing ROMs in the roms/video directory. Disabling the second video card."
+    IDS_2167    "Failed to initialize network driver"
+    IDS_2168    "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
 END
 
 STRINGTABLE DISCARDABLE
diff --git a/src/win/languages/ru-RU.rc b/src/win/languages/ru-RU.rc
index 552f8a0dc..8b3e4fbc3 100644
--- a/src/win/languages/ru-RU.rc
+++ b/src/win/languages/ru-RU.rc
@@ -542,6 +542,8 @@ BEGIN
     IDS_2164    "Old Dynarec"
     IDS_2165    "New Dynarec"
     IDS_2166    "Video card #2 ""%hs"" is not available due to missing ROMs in the roms/video directory. Disabling the second video card."
+    IDS_2167    "Failed to initialize network driver"
+    IDS_2168    "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
 END
 
 STRINGTABLE DISCARDABLE
diff --git a/src/win/languages/sl-SI.rc b/src/win/languages/sl-SI.rc
index ec080d7cb..439c97330 100644
--- a/src/win/languages/sl-SI.rc
+++ b/src/win/languages/sl-SI.rc
@@ -542,6 +542,8 @@ BEGIN
     IDS_2164    "Old Dynarec"
     IDS_2165    "New Dynarec"
     IDS_2166    "Video card #2 ""%hs"" is not available due to missing ROMs in the roms/video directory. Disabling the second video card."
+    IDS_2167    "Failed to initialize network driver"
+    IDS_2168    "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
 END
 
 STRINGTABLE DISCARDABLE
diff --git a/src/win/languages/tr-TR.rc b/src/win/languages/tr-TR.rc
index cd6132ee0..a9a6bbbbc 100644
--- a/src/win/languages/tr-TR.rc
+++ b/src/win/languages/tr-TR.rc
@@ -542,6 +542,8 @@ BEGIN
     IDS_2164    "Old Dynarec"
     IDS_2165    "New Dynarec"
     IDS_2166    "Video card #2 ""%hs"" is not available due to missing ROMs in the roms/video directory. Disabling the second video card."
+    IDS_2167    "Failed to initialize network driver"
+    IDS_2168    "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
 END
 
 STRINGTABLE DISCARDABLE
diff --git a/src/win/languages/uk-UA.rc b/src/win/languages/uk-UA.rc
index adc04e808..49f5573e7 100644
--- a/src/win/languages/uk-UA.rc
+++ b/src/win/languages/uk-UA.rc
@@ -542,6 +542,8 @@ BEGIN
     IDS_2164    "Old Dynarec"
     IDS_2165    "New Dynarec"
     IDS_2166    "Відеокарта #2 ""%hs"" недоступна через відсутність файлу її ПЗУ в каталозі roms/video. Відключення другої відеокарти."
+    IDS_2167    "Failed to initialize network driver"
+    IDS_2168    "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
 END
 
 STRINGTABLE DISCARDABLE
diff --git a/src/win/languages/zh-CN.rc b/src/win/languages/zh-CN.rc
index cd47d64df..807f5f3a0 100644
--- a/src/win/languages/zh-CN.rc
+++ b/src/win/languages/zh-CN.rc
@@ -542,6 +542,8 @@ BEGIN
     IDS_2164    "Old Dynarec"
     IDS_2165    "New Dynarec"
     IDS_2166    "Video card #2 ""%hs"" is not available due to missing ROMs in the roms/video directory. Disabling the second video card."
+    IDS_2167    "Failed to initialize network driver"
+    IDS_2168    "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
 END
 
 STRINGTABLE DISCARDABLE
diff --git a/src/win/languages/zh-TW.rc b/src/win/languages/zh-TW.rc
index 8ed160f21..1adf0c4ca 100644
--- a/src/win/languages/zh-TW.rc
+++ b/src/win/languages/zh-TW.rc
@@ -542,6 +542,8 @@ BEGIN
     IDS_2164    "Old Dynarec"
     IDS_2165    "New Dynarec"
     IDS_2166    "Video card #2 ""%hs"" is not available due to missing ROMs in the roms/video directory. Disabling the second video card."
+    IDS_2167    "Failed to initialize network driver"
+    IDS_2168    "The network configuration will be switched to the null driver"
 END
 
 STRINGTABLE DISCARDABLE