How to fix missing network adapter in Windows 10

The network adapter which is located on the Windows operating system is a helpful device that makes the connections of the network user-friendly.

Due to the fact that the network adapter transmits and receives data through the wireless and wired methods, it proves to be the end-point of a computer network.

If you can not find the network adapter in the Windows 10, then you need to look for it in other places due to some reasons. The following article will be all the information that you need in order to solve it.

Restart Your Computer

This makes it the first option that can be applied to fix issues such as missing network adapter in Windows 10.

To check for any Windows updates

If you have not been able to locate the network adapter in Windows 10, then you will require updating Windows. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Finally, get to “System and display” click on “Settings” then go to “Update & Security. ”
2. Upon getting to the pop-up window, click on Check for updates and then on the Install Now option.

Disable Your Antivirus Software

As you have not seen your network adapter this may be as a result of your antivirus and disabling your antivirus may solve the problem.

After you have turned off your antivirus program, reboot your computer and observe to see if your network adapter is recognized.

Uninstall or Roll back the Network Driver

There are several reasons as to why one cannot be able to see the network driver among them being that it was never installed correctly or the installed one is corrupt.

So, in order to get a solution to this, you are prompted to uninstall the software or, in other words, do a rollback.

Here are the steps for uninstalling the network adaptor:

1. Click the “Windows” button on your keyboard and right click and then select, “Device Manager”.
2. Open “Network adapter. ”
3. Locate the adapter, then right-click on it and select “Uninstall device. ”
4. Click on “Uninstall. ”

Here are the steps for rolling back the network driver:

1. At the “Windows” option, right click then select the “Device Manager. ”
2. Open “Network adapter. ”
3. Locate the adapter and right click on the selected then select ‘Properties’ then select the ‘Driver’ tab.
4. Next, click on the option that is labeled as “Roll Back Driver. ”

Show the Hidden Devices

If you do not see your network adapter, then it could be because Windows has hidden network adapters in its Windows Device Manager. To show all hidden network devices, do the following:

1. To do this, Tap on the “Start button” then right click and select “Device Manager. ”
2. Go to “View” in the folder list and choose “Tools,” then select “Folder Options” and click on “View” tab, select “Show hidden devices. ”
3. Wait for some secs and then if the click is not effective then you need to wait for some seconds and check to see if you can now find your network adapter.

Use the Troubleshooting Feature

Perhaps another way to try to determine what can be causing your network adapter to disappear is to use the built-in Windows tool called Troubleshooter. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Take a Windows key and the ‘I’ key and press them at the same time, resulting in the Windows update & security menu.
2. Go to the left pane and choose “Troubleshoot”, then click on “Network adapter,” which is in the “Find and Fix other problems” category.
3. Choose “Run the troubleshooter,” and the whole process is done.

If you’d like to access it directly, in your WinX Menu, select “Run box” then use this command:If you’d like to access it directly, in your WinX Menu, select “Run box” then use this command:

Msdt. exe /id NetworkDiagnosticsNetworkAdapter

Do a Network Reset

At other times, you can try to reset your network, which will help you when ‘you do not see your network adapter in Windows 10’.

1. Type and open the “Windows Settings app,” then click on “Network & Internet. ”
2. Click within the Network Reset.
3. Locate and click on ‘Network’, which is placed on your right pane.

Your network adapters will be re-installed, and your Networking components will be set to their factory settings.

It is required to do a Network Device Clean Up

If your missing network adapter resolves by doing the cleaning of your network devices using the Command Prompt then there is no need for worry. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Press “Window key + R” at the same time and then type “cmd” Press ‘Windows key + R’ and then type command
2. In the command prompt, type this code: Consulting O: “netcfg-d” then press “Enter. ”
3. Restart your computer.

From CMD Restart Winsock

It has been stated that if the network adapter you are probing is absent in Windows 10, then you could try setting Windsock to its default state. Here’s how it’s done:

1. With the use of “Administrator control,” open “Command Prompt.”
2. Be typing this code in your command prompt interface as shown below “ netsh Winsock reset” then hit on the “Enter” button.
3. Restart your computer.

Execute the service of the WWAN AutoConfig

If you plan going for mobile broadband services make sure that you have properly configured the WWAN AutoConfig service.

1. This will take you to the “Run box” where you type “services. msc. ”
2. locate the “Services” and within the list, select “WWAN AutoConfig” and then open it.
3. You should also change your “Startup type” to “Automatic. ”
4. This is done by simply clicking the “Start” button at the lowest rightmost corner of the screen to start the service.
5. Click here on the “Apply” button to confirm your changes and save them.

Install Generic Ethernet Drivers

If you’re using an ethernet cable to connect to a network but it’s missing in Windows 10, try these steps to ensure it’s been installed properly:

1. Press the keys “Win +R, then insert “devmgmt. msc” and hit the “OK.”
2. For the users of Windows 7, just follow the steps below: In the “Device Manager” window open the network adapters then do a right click on the Wi-Fi/ethernet driver you are trying to use.
3. Click “Update driver. ”
4. Click on the option pursuant to “Browse my computer for driver software” and then continue by clicking the option “Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer”.
5. Select the network adapter driver, and after that, click on the next tab.
6. Shut down your computer then again power on it and try to find out your network adapter.

Other Solutions

If you’ve tried all the above solutions but your network adapter is still missing in Windows 10, try these other solutions:

1. Turn off your Wi-Fi connection, wait for some minutes then turn it back on.
2. If you are using a VPN, then turn it off.
3. See your physical network button is working properly! If it is not, the system should be upgraded to make adept in dealing with the emerging problems.

Following are the procedures for viewing and using your Network Adapter:

It can be very annoying, especially when you want to connect to a certain network on Windows 10 but realize that your network adapter is not there.

That is why this can happen This may be attributed to the following causes; wrong settings on the computer, incompatibility issues, low efficiency of network adapter drivers due to corruption or outdated nature, presence of malware or viruses.

Thankfully all of the solutions have very simple guidelines o that you will be able to see your network adapter and connect back to the internet.

Did you know, how to bring back missing network adapter in Windows 10 quickly and efficiently? Some of the questions most people ask as they read articles include; Please share your answers in the comment section below this blog post.