How to Reinstall Network Adapter in Windows – A Complete Guide (2025)

Is your internet connection acting up? Can’t connect to Wi-Fi or Ethernet even after rebooting? A corrupted or outdated network adapter could be the cause. Luckily, reinstalling your network adapter in Windows 10 or Windows 11 is a quick and effective solution.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to uninstall and reinstall your network adapter driver using Device Manager, including troubleshooting tips if things don’t go as planned.

What is a Network Adapter?

A network adapter (also called a NIC or network interface card) is a hardware component that allows your PC to connect to a network. It can be:

Wireless (Wi-Fi adapter)
Wired (Ethernet adapter)
Virtual (used by VPNs or virtualization software)

When the network adapter malfunctions due to driver corruption, outdated drivers, or system conflicts, you may experience:

No internet access
Wi-Fi not showing up
Ethernet not working
Limited connectivity

When Should You Reinstall Your Network Adapter?

Here are common signs it’s time to reinstall the adapter:

Wi-Fi or Ethernet suddenly stops working
“No network adapter found” error
Internet access is limited or drops frequently
Adapter disappears from Device Manager
Driver update failed or caused issues

How to Reinstall Network Adapter on Windows 10 & 11

There are two primary methods:

🖥 Method 1: Reinstall via Device Manager (Manual)

🔹 Step-by-Step Instructions:

Open Device Manager

Press Windows + X and select Device Manager from the menu.

Expand Network Adapters

Find and expand the “Network adapters” section.
Identify the adapter you’re using (e.g., Intel(R) Wireless, Realtek Ethernet, etc.).

Uninstall the Adapter

Right-click the network adapter and select Uninstall device.
In the popup, check “Delete the driver software for this device” if prompted.
Click Uninstall.

Restart Your Computer

Windows will automatically detect the missing adapter and reinstall the driver upon reboot.

💡 Note: If Windows doesn’t reinstall it automatically, follow Method 2.

Method 2: Reinstall Using Device Manager + Scan for Hardware Changes

Repeat Steps 1–3 from Method 1 to uninstall the adapter.
Click ‘Action’ > ‘Scan for hardware changes’

In Device Manager, go to the top menu and click Action → Scan for hardware changes.
Windows will detect and reinstall the adapter.

how to reinstall network adapter — **reinstall network adapter**

Method 3: Download Driver from Manufacturer’s Website

If automatic reinstall fails or the default Windows driver is outdated:

Use another device with internet access
Visit the official website of your adapter’s manufacturer:

Intel: https://www.intel.com
Realtek: https://www.realtek.com
Broadcom: https://www.broadcom.com
Dell / HP / Lenovo: Go to the support section of your laptop brand

Download the latest network driver for your exact model.
Transfer and install the driver via USB if your current PC has no internet access.

How to Identify Your Network Adapter

If you’re unsure which network adapter you have:

Open Command Prompt (Windows + R, type cmd)
Run this command:

   ipconfig /all

This will show details about your active network interfaces, including the name and MAC address.

Troubleshooting Tips

Network Adapter Missing from Device Manager?

Try the following:

In Device Manager, go to View > Show hidden devices
Reset BIOS/UEFI settings to default
Boot into Safe Mode and check again
Use System Restore if the adapter vanished after an update

Alternative Fixes Before Reinstalling

Sometimes, the adapter isn’t the problem. Try these before you uninstall:

Reset network settings:
Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset
Update drivers via Windows Update
Disable and re-enable adapter in Device Manager

Final Thoughts

Reinstalling your network adapter is one of the easiest yet most effective ways to fix connectivity problems in Windows. Whether you’re using Ethernet or Wi-Fi, following the steps above will get you back online in minutes.

If you still face issues after reinstalling, consider updating your BIOS, checking for malware, or using a USB Wi-Fi adapter as a temporary solution.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Will I lose internet forever if I uninstall my network adapter?

A: No, Windows will reinstall it automatically after reboot. You’ll just lose internet temporarily.

Q: Do I need admin rights to uninstall the adapter?

A: Yes, you need administrator access to make hardware changes in Device Manager.

Q: What if Windows doesn’t reinstall it automatically?

A: Use another device to download the driver and install it manually.

Best Method how to reinstall network adapter