---
title: DeallocatePacket
framework: networkingdriverkit
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Method
path: networkingdriverkit/iousernetworkpacketbufferpool/deallocatepacket-3i02n
---

# DeallocatePacket

Disposes of any resources associated with the packet and makes the packet available for reuse.

## Declaration

```occ
virtual kern_return_t DeallocatePacket(IOUserNetworkPacket *packet);
```

## Parameters

- `packet`: The packet to deallocate. It is a programmer error to specify NULL or an invalid pointer for this parameter.

## Return Value

Return Value kIOReturnSuccess on success, or another value if an error occurred.

## Discussion

Discussion After you move a packet to the appropriate completion queue, call this method to recycle the packet. Recycling the packet makes it available for use with a new incoming or outgoing packet.

## See Also

### Deallocating Packets

- [DeallocatePackets](networkingdriverkit/iousernetworkpacketbufferpool/deallocatepackets-186ya.md)