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The network driver is a crucial software component for connecting your PC to the network hardware. So, you need a suitable driver version to connect to your router without any issues.
However, your PC might often fail to detect your network driver under various circumstances. In such cases, you would get the message “Windows could not find a driver for your network adapter”.
You can usually fix this error all by yourself in most cases, and all you need to do is try out some simple fixes. Follow the methods listed below if you are wondering where to start from.
6 Fixes for Windows Unable to Detect the Network Adapter
The problem you are facing might lie in your device. But, it might also lie in your network hardware in certain cases. So, the cause of the “Windows could not find a driver for your network adapter” error is not always the same.
Here are the fixes that can provide an effective solution depending on the cause of the problem:
Restart Your PC and Router
Restarting your device can fix most of the temporary problems you might face with its functions. In many cases, you can also save a significant amount of time with this method. So, you must try restarting your system before moving on to more complex solutions. Shut down your PC for a minute and start it again. Then, try connecting to the router and check whether the problem persists.
You can also try restarting your router if restarting your PC does not work. This should fix all temporary errors in your router. So, unplug the device for at least a minute, and then plug it back in. verify the problem once the router is ready to connect to your computer.
Troubleshoot Issues with Hardware and Devices
The troubleshooter can often provide an effective solution when your PC cannot find the network driver. You can use this tool for various software and hardware components of your PC, and in this case, you must run it for Hardware and Devices. So, navigate to the Troubleshoot tab in Update & Security settings.
Click on Hardware and Devices given below “Find and fix other problems”. Opt for running the troubleshooter for this component to start scanning your device. Follow all the on-screen instructions to finish the procedure. If the troubleshooter cannot fix the problem, you would usually get instructions on fixing it manually.
Update, Reinstall or Roll Back Your network Drivers
Windows might fail to find your network driver simply because the driver is corrupt. So, you must check whether that applies in your case. Navigate to the Device Manager and view your Network Adapters. Right-click the one in use and opt for uninstalling its drivers. Then, restart your PC to install the driver automatically.
Reinstalling the driver might do the trick in many cases. But, if it does not, then you might be using an incompatible driver version. So, right-click on the network adapter and opt for rolling back its driver. Apart from that, you must also try updating it to the latest version if reinstalling or rolling it back is ineffective.
Get Rid of Third-Party Apps Causing Trouble
Third-party programs on your device might often interfere with your computer’s functions. And, this is one of the possible reasons why your device cannot find the network driver.
So, check whether any of your third-party apps are causing the problem. If you are unable to find the culprit, try uninstalling the most recent app you had installed.
Go to the Apps section in your Settings and click on Apps and Features. This will bring up the list of apps you have on your device. Select the one you want to remove and click Uninstall. If this does not work, you might also consider removing more third-party apps. In many cases, the third-party antivirus causes issues with your PC while detecting the network driver.
Reset Your Router
Your PC might fail to detect the network driver because of a misconfiguration in your router. In that case, you cannot fix the issue with the aforementioned methods. Resetting the router to default settings should provide you with an effective solution. And, you can usually do that without logging in to your router.
Most router models come with a Reset button that you can use for restoring the default settings. Press it for about 30 seconds or until the device’s lights start flashing. This should fix any misconfigurations in your router. You must then access your router with the default credentials to set it up again.
Make Sure the Network Adapter is Not Turned Off
You can allow your Windows PC to turn off certain components automatically for saving power. And, you can use this setting for the network adapter, among other components. So, you must check whether you have allowed your computer to turn off the network adapter. After all, that is a possible reason why your PC cannot find the driver software.
Find the Network Adapters option and expand it on your Device Manager. Right-click the one you are using and click on Properties. Then, open the Power Management tab in the new Window. Is the box next to “allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” checked? If yes, then uncheck it and click on OK to save your settings. Then, exit the Device Manager to check on the problem.
Bonus Solution: Restore a Previous System Image
You should usually get a solution with at least one of the aforementioned methods. But, what if you are unable to fix the issue? As it happens, you might often fail to find an explanation for the problem. Restoring a previous system image can provide an optimal solution in such situations.
You must navigate to the System Properties window to do that. Click on System Restore and wait while your PC restores a previous system image. This might reset any changes you had made to the system. Hiring a professional repair service might be the only option if you do not want to restore the system.
