6 Ways to Fix the Missing Network Adapter Issue
If the network adapter disappears from Device Manager, you won't be able to connect to the internet, affecting your work and entertainment. This article offers solutions to help fix the issue and restore connectivity.
1. Check Driver Updates
Outdated or corrupted drivers may be the primary cause of the disappearing network adapter. Updating the network adapter driver in a timely manner can effectively resolve this issue. It is recommended to use Driver Sentry for automatic driver updates, saving you time and effort while avoiding the risk of downloading or installing incorrect drivers.
Click the download button to get the latest version of Driver Sentry, install it, and open the software. Click "Scan".
After scanning, it will show which drivers are missing or need updating. Find the network adapter driver in the list and click the "Upgrade" button.
After the update is complete, it is recommended to restart your computer to ensure the updated drivers take effect.
2. Reset Winsock Settings
Press Win + S, type "Command Prompt", right-click, and select "Run as Administrator".
In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter: netsh winsock reset
This command will reset the Winsock catalog, which is particularly helpful for fixing network adapter-related connection issues.
After completing the command, close the Command Prompt and restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect.
3. Show Hidden Devices
Press Win + X, then select "Device Manager" from the pop-up menu.
Click on the "View" menu and select "Show hidden devices". All hidden devices (including problematic or disabled devices) will now be displayed.
Expand the "Network Adapters" section and check if there are any hidden network adapters.
If you find any hidden devices, right-click on them and select "Enable Device" to re-enable the device.
4. Reset Network Settings
Press Win + I to open the "Settings" window, then select "Network & Internet".
In the left menu, choose "Status", then scroll to the "Network Reset" option on the right.
Click the "Reset Now" button, and the system will remove and reinstall all network adapters.
During the reset, all network configurations will be restored to their default settings, including IP address settings, DNS settings, etc.
After the network reset, the system will prompt you to restart your computer to complete the process. Upon reboot, the network adapter and settings will be reinitialized.
5. Check Windows 10 Background Services
Press Win + R, type "services.msc", and open the Services window.
Find and check if the "WWAN AutoConfig" service is running. If not, click "Start" to begin the service.
Double-click the "WWAN AutoConfig" service to open the properties window, then find "Startup type" and set it to "Automatic".
Click "Apply" > "OK" to save the changes.
Restart your device and check if the missing drivers are now available.
6. Run Network Troubleshooter
Press Win + I to open the "Settings" window, then select "Update & Security".
Click on "Troubleshoot" on the left side, and then select "Additional troubleshooters".
Find "Network Adapter", and click "Run the troubleshooter".
Windows will automatically scan for possible network adapter issues. After detecting any problems, the system will provide repair suggestions and attempt to fix the issue automatically.
If the system detects problems and provides repair suggestions, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the repair process.
Follow these steps to fix network adapter issues in Windows 10. If the problem continues, contact technical support for help.
See also:
How to Fix Windows 10 Screen Flickering
How to Improve GPU Performance
