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A hardware component installed in a computer that enables it to connect to a network is a network adapter, also referred to as a network interface card (NIC). The primary purpose of a network adapter in Windows is to establish a connection between the computer and the network, enabling communication between devices on the network and access to network resources like the Internet. If your network adapter in Windows is malfunctioning, it’s possible that you will see an error message (Code 31) warning you that the device is not functioning correctly.
Being unable to access the internet or other network resources makes this a frustrating issue. You can try a few different solutions to resolve this problem and restore your network adapter’s functionality. Making sure the device is securely connected to your computer should be your first step. Verify the connections and cables to make sure they are safe and undamaged. One of several Device Manager error codes is Code 31. It is brought on by a variety of factors that stop Windows from loading the driver for the specific piece of hardware. No matter what the underlying cause, troubleshooting error Code 31 is fairly simple. we mentioned below are the ways to Fix Network Adapter Error Code 31 on Windows 11.
Ways to Fix Network Adapter Error Code 31 on Windows 11
Perform a Driver Roll Back
You can use the Roll Back Driver option to perform a rollback and reinstall the previous version of the network adapter driver if you think a recent driver update is to blame for the issue. To roll back a network driver:
Delete the Corrupted Network Config File on Older Machines
You can fix the problem on a computer running an older version of Windows Vista or XP by editing a registry entry. To fix the error, you must first uninstall the device from Device Manager and then delete a corrupt config key in Registry Editor.
ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlNetwork
Check for Any Pending Network Driver Updates
First, see if there are any pending updates for your network driver. Device Manager can be used to update the drivers for connected devices, but we don’t advise it because it frequently has trouble locating the most recent driver updates. Check with the company that made your computer to find out where you can find the most recent network driver. For more information, go to their website.
Visit the website of the manufacturer of the network adapter you are using instead. The exclusive system management tool provided by your manufacturer is another resource for finding new drivers. For instance, you can find and install new drivers for your network adapter and other devices on Lenovo and HP Laptops using the Lenovo Vantage and HP Support Assistant utilities, respectively.
Perform a System Restore
If Windows changes the settings for your network adapter during an update, this error might appear. To reverse the modifications and return the computer to its previous state, use a restore point. You should be able to locate a recent restore point to undo the changes because Windows automatically creates a new restore point before installing an update.
Perform a Network Reset
“Network reset” is a feature of Windows 10 and 11. To assist you in resolving network adapter problems on your computer, this will remove and reinstall the network drivers and other networking components to their default settings. Resetting the network:
Reinstall Your Network Adapter Driver
On earlier versions of Windows, you can manually uninstall your network adapter device and driver to perform a network reset. To uninstall your network devices, use the dependable Device Manager.
Final Words
So here we conclude our article on how to Fix Network Adapter Error Code 31 on Windows 11. Occasionally, when you open device manager, the network adapter or other devices, such as USB devices or display adapters, will have an exclamation point next to them, and if you double-click them, you will receive the error code 31: Windows is unable to load the device’s necessary drivers, which causes this device to malfunction.
The code 31 error message makes it clear that the inability of the driver to properly install on Windows 10 is the cause of this device’s failure to function as intended. In other words, it is to say that driver problems, such as missing drivers, corrupted drivers, or outdated drivers, are the primary causes of code 31 errors. You may experience great suffering because you are unable to connect to the Wi-Fi or the Wi-Fi is unavailable when this error occurs. Therefore, you must resolve the error code 31 in the device manager. For further information regarding this error, you can also visit official Microsoft support website.