What should I do if Windows can’t recognize my network adapter?

If Windows fails to recognize your network adapter, here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue.

1. Check Device Manager:
The first thing you should do is check Device Manager for any errors related to the network adapter. To access Device Manager, press the Windows key + R, type “devmgmt.msc” and press enter. Look for a yellow exclamation mark or an error code next to your network adapter. If you find one, right-click the device and select “Enable”. This may resolve the issue if the device was disabled in the past.

2. Update Drivers:
If there is no yellow exclamation mark or error code, but Windows still isn’t recognizing your network adapter, then try updating its drivers. Right-click the device and select “Update Driver”. Select “Search automatically for updated driver software” and let Windows install the latest version of the driver.

3. Uninstall and Reinstall Drivers:
If updating the driver doesn’t work, try uninstalling and reinstalling it. Right-click the device in Device Manager and select “Uninstall”. Then, go to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver for your network adapter. Once it’s downloaded, run it and follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall it.

4. Enable Network Adapter in BIOS:
If the above steps didn’t help, then check if the network adapter is enabled in your computer’s BIOS. To enter BIOS, restart your computer and press the appropriate key before Windows starts loading. Look for “Integrated Peripherals” or something similar and make sure “Onboard LAN Enabled” is checked.

5. Troubleshoot Network Adapter:
If everything else has failed, then try running the Windows Network Adapter Troubleshooter. To do so, press the Windows key + X and select “Control Panel”. Go to “Network and Internet” and click “Troubleshoot Problems”. Follow the on-screen instructions to run the troubleshooter.

6. Replace Network Adapter:
Finally, if none of the above steps helped, then the issue may be hardware-related. In this case, replace your network adapter with a new one and see if that resolves the issue.

These are some of the steps you can take if Windows isn’t recognizing your network adapter. If you have any further questions, please contact your computer’s manufacturer or an IT professional.