Your click took you to a guide that teaches how to fix Network Adapter Missing in Windows.
Windows without Network Adapter is as useless as an internet router without service. Microsoft included the Network Adapter feature in Windows 10 and they carry it in Windows 11 too.
What is Network Adapter in Windows?
Windows 10 includes a new feature called Windows Adapter which is designed to improve your wireless networking experience.
The Windows Adapter essentially creates a bridge between your computer and the wireless router, allowing for a more reliable and faster connection.
If you’re having trouble connecting to your wireless network or are experiencing poor performance, be sure to give Windows Adapter a try.
Fixes for Network Adapter Missing in Windows 10 and 11
Here are the fixes for the Windows 10 Network Adapter Missing. Complete, easy to follow and effective solutions are written below.
Cleanup Network Devices
1. Press the Windows key‘ and ‘R‘keys (Win + R) to open the Run Command.
2. Type “cmd” in the Run window then press the ‘Ctrl+Shift+Enter‘ keys together to open the Command Prompt. This shortcut key is used for opening any program with admin authority.
3. In the Command Prompt window, type or copy-paste this command and then press the Enter key.
After the auction closes the command windows and restarts your computer once, it is necessary to apply the changes.
If this solution doesn’t work for you, keep scrolling and try other solutions.
View Hidden Devices through Device Manager
1. Press the Windows key‘ and ‘R‘keys (Win + R) to open the Run Command.
2. Type “devmgmt.msc” in the Run window then press the ‘Enter‘ keys together to open the program.
3. In the Device Manager window you need to click on “View” at the menu bar, make sure to check the box “Show hidden devices”.
Click on “Network adapters” from the list of devices shown in Windows. Now you need to click on the “Action” tab and then finally click on “Scan for hardware changes”
Open the Device Manager tab, expand the “Network adapters” sections, check if the missing network adapter in Windows 10/11 is appearing or not?
Update Network Adapter Drivers on Windows 10
There is a chance that an old/incompatible version of the network adapter is installed on your Windows 10 or 11. So, to clarify and rectify it you need to update Network Adapter Drivers on Windows 10, that’s how you do it.
1. Press the Windows key and then start to type “devmgmt“ on the Cortana search bar.
2. Click on the “Device Manager” from the list. Find “Network Adapters” in the Device Manager window, click on it to expand the list.
4. Select the driver, Right-click on it, and click on “Update driver”.
5. “How do you want to search for the drivers?”, windows will ask you, Choose the option “Search automatically for updated driver software“. Let Windows choose the best for you.
Windows will search for the compatible driver for your network adapter and will install it. Close the Device Manager Window once you did.
Automate WWAN AutoConfig to avoid the Manual Work
1. Press Windows key+S and type “Services“ in the bar.
2. Click on the “Services”.In the Services window, find the “WWAN AutoConfig” service, double click on it.
3. WWAN AutoConfig Properties window will be opened, check the ‘Service status‘, if it is “Running“. In case, if it is ‘Stopped‘, simply click on “Start”.
4. Click on the drop-down menu to expand the option” Startup type:” and select “Automatic“ from the options.
5. Now finally you can click on “Apply” and then on “OK” to save the changes on your computer, Close the Window after the action.
Reboot your computer once to apply the changes.
Check Power Management Settings
1. Press the Windows key‘ and ‘R‘keys (Win + R) to open the Run Command.
2. Type “devmgmt.msc” in the Run window then press the ‘Enter‘ keys together to open the program.
3. In the Device Manager window you need to click on “Network adapters” from the list to expand it. At the options list, Right-click on your network adapter and click on properties.
Click on Power management Tab and check Allow the Computer to turn off this device.
Final solution – Troubleshoot Network Problems
Technically, we can’t say it is the final solution because that’s Window Re-Installation, but in terms of easy solutions! It is the last one. You need to Troubleshoot Network Problems through Windows TroubleShooter.
1. Right-click on the Wifi/Internet icon on the taskbar and click on “Troubleshoot Problems”.
2. Click on “Network troubleshooter“. Follow on-screen instructions, it will automatically attempt fixes to your problem.
3. When the troubleshooter fixes the problem or provides you with a solution. Read it, apply it and close the troubleshooter.
This is the most Potential Solution to fix Network Adapter missing in Windows before Windows 10 or 11 reinstallations.
It’s essential that you keep your Windows OS updated to the latest build. Every Update brings the solution to the issues in the previous version.
- Launch Windows 11 Settings.
- From the left pane, choose the Windows Update tab.
- Click on the Check for Updates button
- If you are notified about a pending update, click on the Download Now button.
- Now, allow your system to download & install the required OS files.
Bonus Guide – How to Install Network Adapter in Windows 10
This is a guide on how to install the Windows Adapter in Windows. Note that this only works for Windows 8 and 10.
1. Go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network Connections.
2. Select the adapter you want to use with your wireless printer and click Properties.
3. Select the Sharing tab and check the box to Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection.
4. Select the Home networking connection that you want to share and click OK.
5. Close all open windows and restart your computer.
