Network adapter drivers control your Wi-Fi and Ethernet hardware. When they are outdated or corrupted, the symptoms can look like a bad router: drops, slow speeds, random reconnects, or no network adapter listed at all.
This guide applies to Windows 10 and Windows 11 computers with built-in or add-on Wi-Fi and Ethernet adapters.
Does This Affect You?
If one PC has connection trouble while other devices on the same network are fine, the adapter driver is a good suspect. Device Manager can find some updates automatically, but laptop and motherboard manufacturers often post newer drivers than Windows offers.
Update the Driver in Device Manager
Try this first because it is quick and works for both Wi-Fi and wired adapters.
- Right-click Start and choose Device Manager.
- Expand Network adapters.
- Find the Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter. The name may include Intel, Realtek, Qualcomm Atheros, Broadcom, MediaTek, or another chipset maker.
- Right-click the adapter and choose Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
- If Windows installs a driver, restart the PC and test the connection again.
Download the Driver from the Manufacturer
Use this path when Device Manager says you already have the latest driver but the network is still unstable.
- In Device Manager, right-click the adapter, open Properties, and check the Driver tab for the adapter name and current version.
- If the adapter is built into a laptop or motherboard, go to the PC maker’s support site and search for the exact model number. For a separate USB or PCIe adapter, use the adapter brand’s support page.
- For Intel Wi-Fi adapters, Intel Driver & Support Assistant can scan the PC and offer the right driver automatically.
- Download the network, wireless, LAN, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth/WLAN package that matches your Windows version.
- Run the installer, restart, and test again.
Check Optional Driver Updates
Windows sometimes holds driver updates under Optional updates instead of installing them automatically.
- Open Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates.
- Expand Driver updates.
- Select any driver that clearly matches the Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter.
- Click Download & install.
- Restart after installation.
If the Network Still Misbehaves
Roll Back a Problem Driver
If Wi-Fi or Ethernet got worse right after updating, open the adapter’s properties in Device Manager, go to Driver, and click Roll Back Driver if the button is available. Use it soon, because Windows does not keep rollback files indefinitely.
Reset Windows Network Settings
A driver can be fine while Windows network configuration is damaged. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run netsh winsock reset, then netsh int ip reset, and restart. This resets core networking components without intentionally deleting saved Wi-Fi passwords.
Save the Correct Download Page
Once you find the right driver page for your laptop, motherboard, or adapter, bookmark it. It is much safer than searching the web again the next time a connection problem appears.
Sources
- Microsoft Support: Update drivers in Windows
- Intel: Intel Driver & Support Assistant
- Microsoft Learn: Troubleshoot network adapter issues