10 Ways to Overcome Network Adapter Not Detected

How to Solve Network Adapter Not Detected

Without a network adapter, you will not be able to connect to the internet. Learn how to fix an undetected or missing network adapter so you can get back online again.

The network adapter is an important part of a computer, because it sends and receives data to and from other devices on a wireless or wired network. Sometimes, the network adapter disappears from the Device Manager or the Windows operating system tells you that it is missing.

Also read: 8 Ways to Overcome The Hosted Network Couldn't Be Started on Windows 10

When this happens, you will no longer be able to connect to the internet. To help you fix it, the admin has put together a few solutions that you can try to fix an undetected or missing network adapter.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. How to Solve Network Adapter Not Detected

2. 1. Restart And Check Connection

3. 2. Show Hidden Drivers In Windows

4. 3. Remove the Battery From the Laptop

5. 4. Turn off Antivirus and VPN

6. 5. Run Network Adapter Troubleshooter

7. 6. Use Network Reset Tool

8. 7. Check Power Management Settings

9. 8. Reset Winsock Settings

10. 9. Clean Network Devices

11. 10. Check Windows Background Services

12. Conclusion

How to Solve Network Adapter Not Detected

1. Restart And Check Connection

Try some quick fixes like restarting your PC or laptop and check if you can now find the missing network adapter. If you have already connected the Ethernet cable, you will also need to unplug it and plug it back in.

2. Show Hidden Drivers In Windows

The network adapter may be missing simply because the Device Manager does not display it. Here's how to make the network adapter visible:

Show Hidden Drivers In Windows

 1. Right-click Start > Device Manager.

 2. Open the View menu and click Show hidden devices.

 3. Expand the list of Network adapters and check if the adapter is now visible.

 4. If the adapter is still missing, click Action > Scan for hardware changes.

3. Remove the Battery From the Laptop

If you're on a PC, or your laptop doesn't have a removable battery, skip this solution. While removing the battery you are forcing the motherboard to reset its settings which may be enough to fix this issue.

If your laptop comes with a removable battery, turn it off and remove the battery for a few seconds. Then, plug it back in and turn on the laptop again.

4. Turn off Antivirus and VPN

If you are using a VPN on your device, try turning it off or even uninstalling it. Then, restart your laptop or PC and check if there is any difference. Do not forget, also turn off the antivirus or check for available updates.

Also Read: 8 Best Anti Virus Applications Today (Free)

5. Run Network Adapter Troubleshooter

Windows 10 provides a useful list of troubleshooters so it's no surprise that you can fix some network adapter problems using one of these tools. Follow these steps to run the Network Adapter troubleshooter:

Network Adapter Troubleshooter

 1. Right-click Start and select Settings, or use the keyboard shortcut Win + I.

 2. Go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.

 3. Under Find and fix other problems, select Network Adapter > Run the troubleshooter.

 4. Follow the instructions that appear.

6. Use Network Reset Tool

If the troubleshooter doesn't solve the problem, you can try using the Network Reset Tool. This will bring all network settings back to their default settings without disturbing your data. Follow these steps to reset your network:

Network Reset Tool

 1. Open Settings, then go to Network & internet.

 2. Select Status and scroll down to Network reset.

 3. Select Reset now.

7. Check Power Management Settings

If you are using a laptop, Windows 10 will turn off some of its features when the battery is low or when battery saver mode is activated. Follow these steps to check the Power Management settings:

 1. Right-click Start > Device manager.

 2. Expand the list of Network adapters

 3. Right-click your network adapter and select Properties.

 4. Open the Power Management tab.

 5. Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

 6. Click Apply > OK to save changes.

8. Reset Winsock Settings

Winsock is the programming interface and supporting programs that define how Windows network software uses its network services. If something goes wrong with the Winsocks file, it can cause the network adapter to disappear from Windows 10. Here's how to reset Winsock data:

Reset Winsock Settings

 1. In the Start menu search bar, locate the command prompt and select Run as administrator.

 2. In the Command Prompt window, type netsh winsock reset. Then, press Enter.

 3. Restart your PC or laptop to save changes.

Also Read: What Is Winsock and How Does It Work?

9. Clean Network Devices

If the previous method didn't work, you can follow these steps to clean network devices using the command prompt:

Clean Network Devices

 1. Press Win + R to open the Run window.

 2. In the Run window, type cmd and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to run Command Prompt as administrator.

 3. In the Command Prompt, type netcfg -d.

 4. Restart the device and check if you can now find the network adapter.

10. Check Windows Background Services

Your network driver may be missing because the background service stopped working properly. Follow these steps to manage it manually:

Check Windows Background Services

 1. In the Start menu search bar, search for services and select the most suitable one.

 2. In the Services menu, locate and open WWAN AutoConfig.

 3. Check if the Service status is Running. If not, click Start to run it.

 4. Set the Startup type to Automatic.

 5. Click Apply > OK to save changes.

 6. Restart your device and check if the missing driver is now available.

Conclusion

So that's how to solve the network adapter that is not detected or missing. There are many solutions available. As we discussed, you can try turning off your VPN or antivirus and Windows 10 also has some troubleshooting tools you can use.

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Hopefully, this article about 10 Ways to Overcome Network Adapter Not Detected, gives you a little insight. Also, read an article about 10 Ways to Speed ​​Up Slow VPN Connections that you may need to know. Thank you.