Fast recovery of multicast router ports on spanning tree protocol (STP) topology change in a layer 2 (L2) network

In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a processing circuit and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processing circuit. The logic is configured to cause the processing circuit to handle Internet Group Membership Protocol (IGMP) messages received from other devices in a network. Also, the logic is configured to cause the processing circuit to create a general query solicit (GQS) message configured to solicit a general query (GQ) from a multicast snooping querier coupled with the apparatus. The GQS message causes the multicast snooping querier to send out a general query (GQ) message on all ports in response to receiving the GQS message. The GQ message is configured to solicit port information and group membership information from each IGMP switch in the network. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in more embodiments.