Solved: Network Adapter is missing in Windows 10, 8.1 and 7

Can’t get Wireless Adapter option under the Network Connections or under the Device Manager? And for this reason “Network Adapter Not Showing in Device Manager” windows 10 unable to connect to the network and internet? This is a clear indication that your Network Adapter missing or not able to detect by your operating system. And most commonly an outdated, incompatible or corrupted network driver causes this issue. Moreover, if you have recently updated the version of your Windows, then this is possible that the older version of the network adapter driver won’t be compatible with it anymore. So, the reason could be anything but reinstall the network adapter driver probably a good solution work for you.

Network Adapter Not Detected in Windows 10

Let’s start with basic, restart your PC/Laptop that probably fixes if temporary glitch causing the issue.

If you use VPN on your computer, try disabling or uninstalling it for a while. Then restart your PC.

Similarly, either disable the antivirus or check if an update is available

• Open device manager using devmgmt.msc
• click the Action menu, and then click Scan for hardware changes.
• Also, Click on View menu, and then click Show hidden devices.
• Now see if this helps get back missing network adapter on Windows 10.

Update Network Adapter Driver

In most cases, an outdated network adapter driver is the culprit. So, foremost, you should try to get back your missing network adapter by updating the driver as per –

1. First of all, you have to open Device Manager by pressing the Windows key and R key. once run dialogue box appears, type devmgmt.msc and click ok.
2. Next, expand network adapters and right-click on your Wifi controller and press on Update Driver Software.
3. In the Update Driver Software Windows, select “Browse my computer for driver software.“
4. Up next, you have to select “Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.“
5. From the list, you need to select the driver compatible with your Windows 10.
6. However, if you aren’t able to locate the computable driver software, then you can visit the manufacturer’s website and update the drivers and reboot your computer.

Uninstall Network Adapter Driver

Okay, so you can also retrieve back the missing network adapter by uninstalling the older driver and then updating the new one. To uninstall the network adapter driver, you have to –

1. Type devmgmt.msc in the run dialogue box after pressing Windows key and R key together on your keyboard and open Device Manager.
2. Up next, expand the network adapter and locate the name of your network adapter.
3. Note down the name of your network adapter name just in case if someone goes wrong so that you can easily fix it.
4. Just right click on your network adapter icon and press on uninstall option.
5. If you get a dialogue box asking for the confirmation, then just press Yes.
6. Next, you have to restart your PC and now try to reconnect your network.
7. If you aren’t still able to connect with your network, then this means that driver software hasn’t installed automatically.
8. Now, you need to follow the steps discussed in the first solution and download the network adapter driver software.

Run Network troubleshooter

Run the built-in troubleshooter for network adapters that help detect and fix various issues.

• Open the Settings app from the Start Menu or press Windows key + I.
• Click on Update & Security.
• Select Troubleshoot from the left sidebar.
• Scroll down and locate Network Adapter, select it,
• Now click run the troubleshooter and follow the on-screen instructions to start the process.

Reset Network Settings

Still the problem not solved? let’s reset network settings that revert all the network settings to their default values.

• Open settings using Windows + I keyboard shortcut,
• Click on Network and Internet.
• Scroll down on the Status screen and click on Network reset.
• Confirm your decision by clicking on Reset now.

Install Wireless Software

Sometimes the root cause of the problem is the outdated Intel PROSet software that’s why you need to update it. For this, you need to visit the website of the wireless software and install the latest one on your computer. This going to be third party software that can manage your wifi connection instead of Windows and if PROset/Wireless Software is outdated is can cause drivers issues in Wireless Network Adapter.

You see friends, there’s no need to panic when Windows 10 Network Adapter missing, you just need to be calm and try to update your network adapter driver or your Windows 10 operating system and this automatically fixes your problem. Just keep your system and system drivers updated to freely connect your computer to the internet connection.