Fix: ‘Network Adapter Not Working’ in Windows

Fix ‘Network Adapter Not Working’ in Windows. After a Windows update, you might have problems with both software and hardware. One of these issues is that some users’ Wi-Fi adapters no longer work. If your network adapter no longer wants to, well, network, you can try a few things to get it to work again. No matter if you use WiFi or Ethernet. Having trouble with your network adapter (also called a network interface controller) on Windows? Don’t be afraid!

There are a number of reasons why your network adapter might not work right. Most of the time, the problem is easy to solve. Many people said that their computers couldn’t find and recognize the wireless network adapter, which used to work fine, so they couldn’t connect to any network. But don’t worry, we have a lot of ways to Fix ‘Network Adapter Not Working’ in Windows.

What is a network adapter?

A network adapter is a piece of hardware or a piece of software that lets a computer or smartphone connect to a network and talk to other devices on it. It is also called a network interface card (NIC) or a network interface controller. The network adapter helps the device send and receive data from and to the network, whether it’s a local area network (LAN), a wireless network (Wi-Fi), or even a wide area network (WAN) like the internet.

It acts as a bridge between the device’s internal data processing and the data exchange that happens over the network. A network adapter is usually a piece of hardware in a computer that can either be built into the motherboard or added as an expansion card. It can also mean the part of the operating system that takes care of network connections and protocols. If you want to know more information about this issue so you can visit Microsoft Official Website.

What are the reasons of a network adapter not working?

1. Driver Issues: Outdated or corrupted network drivers can prevent the network adapter from functioning properly.
2. Hardware Problems: Physical issues such as a loose connection, faulty cable, or a malfunctioning network card can lead to adapter failures.
3. Network Configuration Problems: Incorrect network settings or misconfigured IP addresses can result in connectivity issues.
4. Software Conflicts: Conflicts with other software, particularly security software or firewall settings, can block network connectivity.
5. Operating System Updates: Incompatibility between the network adapter’s driver and a recent operating system update can lead to problems.
6. Malware or Viruses: Malicious software can damage or disrupt network functionality.
7. Power Management Settings: Power-saving settings might disable the network adapter to save energy, leading to connectivity problems.

Fix: ‘Network Adapter Not Working’ in Windows

Run the Network Adapter Troubleshooter

Your Windows computer comes with a variety of troubleshooters that can find and fix problems automatically. In this case, you can use the Network Adapter troubleshooter to look for and fix any problems with your system. Follow these steps to run the Network Adapter Troubleshooter:

1. Open Settings app: Press Win + I.
2. Click Troubleshoot in System tab.
3. Select Other ways to fix problem.
4. Click Run button next to Network Adapter.

Update or Reinstall the Network Adapter Driver

The network adapter driver on your computer makes it easier for Windows and your network hardware to talk to each other. If this driver is out of date or broken, Windows may have trouble connecting to the network. You can try updating the driver for the network adapter to see if that makes things work again. Follow these steps to update the driver for Windows’ network adapter.

1. Press Win + R to open the Run box.
2. Type devmgmt.msc in the text box and press Enter to open the Device Manager.
3. Network adapters need to grow.
4. Right-click on the device causing trouble and choose Update driver.
5. Select the option “Search automatically for drivers.”
6. Click on Windows Update, then click Search for updated drivers.

Check the Network Adapter Status

With Windows’ Device Manager, it’s easy to see, manage, and update all the hardware that’s connected to your computer. You can use it to check the status of your network adapter and see if it is getting any errors. Here’s how you can check the status of your Windows network adapter.

1. Open the Power User menu by right-clicking the Start button or pressing Win+X on the keyboard.
2. From the list, choose Device Manager.
3. Network adapters need to grow.
4. Select Properties by right-clicking on your network adapter.
5. Choose the tab General.
6. See what it says under “Device status.”

Reset the Winsock Catalog

Winsock, which stands for “Windows Sockets,” is an interface for programming that lets your apps and programs talk to network protocols and services. If there’s a problem with this program, you could have network problems like the one we’re talking about here. You can try resetting your PC’s Winsock data to see if that brings things back to normal. Follow these steps to do so:

1. Open the search menu by pressing Win + S.
2. Type Windows PowerShell in the text box and click Run as administrator.
3. When the User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears, choose “Yes.”
4. Type the command into the console and hit the Enter key.
   • netsh winsock reset is the command.
5. After running the above command, restart your PC to finish the process. After that, your Windows computer’s network adapter should work as it did before.

Disable and Re-enable the Network Adapter

Even though it may seem too easy, turning off and then back on the network adapter can help. If the network adapter isn’t working because of a temporary problem, this should fix it. Follow these steps on Windows to turn off and on the network adapter:

1. Open the search menu by pressing Win + S.
2. In the box, type “device manager” and choose the first result.
3. Network adapters need to grow.
4. Select Disable device when you right-click on your network adapter.
5. When you’re asked to confirm, choose “Yes.”
6. Once more, right-click the network adapter and choose “Enable device.”

Conclusion

One of the most common reasons why a wired network breaks down is a problem with the network adapter. It could cause slow connections, connections that come and go, or even a loss of connection to your network. You need to know how to fix network adapter problems on your own if you want to stay connected to the internet.

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