Network adapter drivers are essential software components that enable Windows 11 PC to communicate with network devices and Access the internet. However, at times you may experience, Network Adapter Missing or not working after Windows 11 update. Users report Windows not detecting Wifi or Ethernet and running troubleshooter results “Windows could not find a driver for your network adapter” This problem usually means Windows 11 OS was unable to automatically locate the appropriate driver software because of outdated or incompatible network adapter driver. And you need to update Network Adapter Driver on Windows 11 to fix the problem and restore internet access. This article explores how to install a driver for your network adapter Windows 11.
Update Network Adapter Driver on Windows 11
There are different ways to update or install a driver for your network adapter in Windows 11. Using Device Manager is the preferred way to update and install the latest network card driver on your PC. You can check for Windows 11 updates -> optional updates to get download and install the latest driver for your network adapter. Also, you can visit the Device manufacturer’s website to get download and install the latest driver for your network adapter.
Update Driver via Device Manager
Device Manager is a built-in utility that allows you to manage and update hardware drivers on your computer. It provides a hierarchical view of devices and enables tasks such as updating, disabling, or uninstalling device drivers on Windows 11.
Install the driver for your network adapter from Device Manager:
- Press the Windows key + X and select “Device Manager” from the power user menu.
- In the Device Manager window, expand the “Network adapters” category.
- Locate and Right-click on the network adapter that you want to update and select “Update driver.”
- Choose the option to search automatically for updated driver software.
- Windows will search for the latest driver online and install it if available.
Apply if Network Adapter missing on Device Manager
Again open Device Manager click on Action then scan for hardware changes.
This will install the default network driver on your PC, Now right-click on it and select update driver.
If still Network adapter missing you need to download the driver for your network adapter from the manufacturer’s site and install it to get back the missing network adapter on Windows 11.
Automatic Driver Update via Windows Update
Windows 11 update also includes a built-in driver update feature that can automatically search for and install the latest driver for your network adapter.
Windows will automatically search for the latest driver versions for your hardware devices and install them without requiring manual intervention.
- Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
- Click on “Windows Update” in the left sidebar.
- Select “Advanced options” in the Windows Update settings.
- Click on “Optional updates.” Look for any available updates under the “Driver updates” section.
- If a network adapter driver update is available, click “Download and install” to install it.
Once done, reboot your PC to apply changes, now check if the network adapter is back and internet access is restored on Windows 11.
Download Network Driver from Manufacturer’s Website
If the above method fails to install a driver for your network adapter, you can manually download and install it from the manufacturer’s website. This is the most reliable method to ensure you have the most up-to-date and compatible drivers for your hardware devices.
First, you need to identify the make and model of the hardware device for which you need to download the driver. For example, if you have a Dell laptop or HP Laptop, or a Desktop machine.
- First, visit the official website of the device manufacturer. for ex Dell support
- Look for a “Support,” “Downloads,” or “Drivers” section on their website.
- Now type your device model and search, next select OS Windows 11 and download the driver for your network adapter.
- Locate the setup file, right-click on it select run as administrator and follow on-screen instructions to install a driver for your network adapter on Windows 11.
Use Third-Party Driver Update Tools
Also, you can update or install a driver for your network adapter using third-party driver update tools such as driver easy, Driver Booster, Driver Talent and more. These third-party driver update tools are designed to scan your system, identify outdated drivers, and provide a convenient way to update them.
- Ensure to download driver update tools from the official site only, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install the tool on your computer.
- Now launch the driver update tool to scan your system for outdated drivers.
- This will identify any outdated or missing network adapter drivers and download the latest driver version from its own database or redirect you to the manufacturer’s site.
Reinstall the Network Adapter driver
If updating the network adapter driver didn’t fix the problem, still, you are experiencing network connectivity problems, slow internet speeds, or the inability to connect to a network, reinstalling the network adapter driver can help resolve these issues.
- Press Windows key + X and select Device Manager,
- locate the “Network adapters” category and expand it.
- Right-click on the network adapter that you want to reinstall and select “Uninstall device”
- In the confirmation dialog, check the box that says “Delete the driver software for this device” and click “Uninstall.”
Restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the network adapter driver during the startup process.
Alternatively, you could download the Network Adapter driver from the manufacturer’s website on another system from the Internet (since the Internet won’t work on your system) and transfer it to your system using a USB drive.
Now run the installer to install a driver for your network adapter on Windows 11.
Also read:
- Solved: Network adapter is not working after Windows 10 update
- 4 ways to Update Realtek Audio Drivers in Windows 11
- Internet not working after Windows 10 update (8 solutions)
- 9 Fixes for Page fault in nonpaged area on Windows 11
- Solved Copy and paste not working after Windows 10 update
- How to connect wireless Display in Windows 11 to TV
