Windows

How to Fix Windows could not find a driver for your Network Adapter

How to Fix Windows could not find a driver for your Network Adapter, Windows cannot find the driver for the network adapter is a common network connection error reported by users. You will find the steps to fix this error in Windows 10 in the following steps.

Fix Windows could not find a driver for your Network Adapter

When Windows 10 cannot load, locate, or interact with the driver software of the network adapter installed on your computer, a network connection error will appear, displaying “Windows cannot find the driver for your network adapter”.

This can happen for various reasons, from outdated or damaged device drivers to other reasons.

Run the network adapter troubleshooter

The built-in network adapter troubleshooter in Windows 10 may help you resolve this issue or point out the cause of this error on your computer.

Go to Settings > Update & Security > select Troubleshoot tab in the left pane. In the right pane, click on Additional Troubleshooters. On the next screen, select Network Adapter and click on Run the Troubleshooter.

Fix Windows could not find a driver for your Network Adapter

Follow the on-screen instructions as the Troubleshooter tries to find and fix problems on your computer.

Prevent Computer from Turning OFF Network Adapter

Right-click on the Start button and click on Device Manager. On the Device Manager screen, expand Network Adapters entry > right-click on WiFi Adapter and click on Properties.

Windows could not find a Driver 1 How to Fix Windows could not find a driver for your Network Adapter

Tip: In case you see too many entries, look for something that says Network or 802.11b or has Wi-Fi in it.

On the Properties screen, select the Power Management tab and disable Allow the computer to turn off this device to save the power option. Click on OK to save this setting on your computer.

Now your computer won’t be able to Turn OFF the Network Adapter, which should fix the problem on your computer.

Update the network adapter driver

Normally, Windows 10 should automatically update the network adapter, but this may not always be the case.

Right-click on the Start button and click on Device Manager. On Device Manager Screen, expand Network Adapters entry > right-click on WiFi Adapter and click on Update Driver Software option.

Windows could not find a Driver 2 How to Fix Windows could not find a driver for your Network Adapter

Tip: If you see multiple entries, look for something that reads Network, 802.11b or has Wi-Fi in it.

On the next screen, select the Search Automatically for Updated Driver Software option and follow the instructions to install the driver.

Reset the network adapter (Winsock reset)

Please follow the steps below to reset the network adapter on your computer.

Open Command Prompt (Admin) > type netsh winsock reset and press the Enter key.

Windows could not find a Driver 3 How to Fix Windows could not find a driver for your Network Adapter

Restart your computer, try to connect to the Internet, and see if you are still getting Windows could not find a driver for your network adapter error on your computer.

Uninstall Wireless Adapter Driver

Open Device Manager > On Device Manager screen, expand Network Adapter entry > right-click on the Wireless Adapter and click on Uninstall device option. On the confirmation pop-up, check to Delete the driver software for this device option and click on Uninstall.

Windows could not find a Driver 4 How to Fix Windows could not find a driver for your Network Adapter

Restart your computer and Windows should automatically install the right driver software.

Note: In rare cases, Windows may not be able to install the correct driver. If this happens, please download the driver software manually from the manufacturer’s website and install it on your computer.

More: Chrome browser can’t download the file? Please refer to the article on How to fix the disk full Chrome download error.

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