How To Fix Network Adapter Missing In Windows 10? {Solved}

A network Adapter is one of the important parts of an operating system whether Windows, Mac, Linus, or other OS. This is an internet/network that you can access other servers. Though you are reading my article, it is only because of the internet. So, a network adapter is an essential device in your system that help you to send and receive data on both wired and wireless network. No matter you have a wired or wireless network (people call it Wifi). If your Windows 10 is missing the network adapter whether under the device manager or on the system tray. Then, there will not be any device listed in order to connect to the internet.

If the network adapter is missing under the device manager or not detected on your Windows 10 PC. You don’t need to worry because in this article I will show you the 8 ways to fix the network adapter missing in Windows 10 PC.

You are not the only user who has such a serious issue. There are legions of Windows users that are asking how to fix the network adapter missing in Windows 10 PC. There are several reasons behind the Network Adapter missing issue and they are listed below.

Network adapter missing in Device manager
No Network Adapters showing in Device Manager
Network Adapter Not Detected
Network Adapter Not Found Windows 10
No Network Adapter In Device Manager

Our research says, the main reason behind the missing network adapter in Windows 10 is the outdated/older network card driver installed on your PC. Or you have upgraded to the latest version of Windows 10 and the network adapter driver cannot support the latest Windows 10 version. There are several ways to fix the missing issues.

If your computer is facing the issue for the first time then reboot your computer and check if you can discover the network adapter on your PC.

Note: If you are using an Ethernet cable plugged into your PC. Then, unplug the Ethernet cable and plug it again. Now check if you can find the network adapter on your Windows 10.

Several Ways to Fix network Adapter Missing in Windows 10

Before going to follow the below steps in order to fix the network adapter missing in Windows 10. You have to restore or backup your data just in case something goes wrong.

Now follow each method one by one and check the network adapter after each method you applied. If one method not worked for you then try the second one.

Method 1: Reboot your Windows 10 PC

The essential point to fix any kind of issues with certain software or other parts of your PC. Is to reboot your computer, this way will refresh the software and can fix several issues.

Therefore, go to Start Menu or press the Windows key. After that, click on the Power Button and click on the restart option. Or you can use the shortcut key to restart your computer and the shortcut key is Alt + F4 and select the restart option.

Method 2: Update Network Adapter Driver

Press the Win + X key and click on Device Manager, Or press Win + R and type “devmgmt.msc” in the Run dialog box to open device manager.

How to Fix Network Adapter Missing in Windows 10 — Open Device Manager

Now, Expand Network Adapters and select your Windows 10 Wifi Controller and Right-Click on it. Then, Click on Update Driver Software.

How to Update Network Adapter Driver on Windows 10 — Update Network Adapter Driver

Here, you have two options to update the network adapter driver. And I recommend you to click on the first option to search updates automatically for drivers.

Here, you will see the best drivers for your device are already installed. But you can check any updates on Windows update Window.

Method 3: uninstall Network Adapter Driver

Press the Win + X key and click on Device Manager, Or press Win + R and type “devmgmt.msc” in the Run dialog box to open device manager.

On Device Manager Window, Expand network adapter and find your network name. Make sure, you have selected the correct one.

Uninstall Network Adapter on Windows 10 — Uninstall Network Adapter

Now, Right-Click on your Network name and Click on Uninstall.

Here, you will be asked for uninstalling confirmation. Select yes.

After all, restart your Windows 10 PC and your Windows will install the network adapter automatically. In case the driver is not installed automatically. Then, go to the device manager and from the top menu click on Action and click on Scan for hardware changes.

Method 4: Run Network Adapter Troubleshoot

Press the Win + I key to open Windows Settings and click on Update and Security.

Here, click on the Troubleshoot option from the sidebar.

If your Windows 10 PC has a network adapter issue, then, you will see an error under the Troubleshoot. So, click on Internet Connections and click on Run the troubleshooter.

How to Fix Missing network Adapter on Windows — Internet Connection Troubleshooting

Now follow the on-screen instruction to complete the troubleshooter.

In case, the above one did not work then from the troubleshoot window click on Network Adapter and click on Run the troubleshooter.

Fix Network Adapter Issues on Windows — Network Adapter Troubleshoot

Finally, restart your PC to save all changes and come back to see if the problem is fixed or no.

Method 5: Update your Windows 10

One of the best way is to fix the missing network adapter in Windows 10 is to update your Windows 10 operating system. Make sure, your operating system is up-to-date.

Press Win + I to open Windows settings and click on update and Security.

Click on Windows Update from the sidebar.

Now, click the Check for Updates to check if any update is available or no.

In case the new update is available on your Windows, Then, download and install the update.

After that, restart your computer to save all changes.

Method 6: Cleanup Network Drivers

Press Windows + R key to bring out the run window.
Now, type cmd and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter key to open cmd as administrator. Or go to the Start menu and search for cmd. After it appears click on run as administrator.
In cmd, type netcfg -d and press enter. This will clean the network devices and will solve the network adapter missing on Windows.
Now restart your computer and come back to check if the problem is fixed or no.

Method 7: Reset Winsock from CMD

Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
After that, type cmd and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter to run cmd as administrator.
In the command prompt, type netsh Winsock reset and press enter.
Close cmd and restart your computer.

Afterward, check your computer if it discovers the network adapter missing.

Method 8: Enable Network Driver

Sometimes, it can happen that your network driver is disabled, and because of that, you can’t connect to the internet. Therefore, to fix and enable the network drivers, follow the below steps.

Press Windows + X key and click on Device manager.
On Device Manager, under network adapter right-click on your network driver and click on Enable driver.

This step can help you to connect your windows to the internet.

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Conclusion

These were the best methods to fix the network adapter missing on Windows 10. I hope this article helped you to fix your network adapter missing. In case, you have any questions and confusion. Let us know in the comment section.