A quick restart and a few checks usually restore connectivity — most common causes are simple: a disabled adapter, driver problems, or incorrect settings. If your Network Adapter doesn’t work in Windows 10, this article walks through 13 likely causes and clear step-by-step fixes so you can get back online fast.
You’ll learn what typically breaks network adapters, how to diagnose whether the issue is software or hardware, and precise Windows 10 commands, menus, and settings to repair the adapter safely.
Key Takeaway
Most Windows 10 network adapter problems are fixed by checking the adapter’s enabled state, reinstalling or updating drivers, resetting the network stack with netsh and ipconfig commands, and ruling out router or cable faults; use the step-by-step methods below and create a restore point before major changes.
Quick Fix Guide
| Reason for the Problem | Quick Solution |
|---|---|
| Adapter is disabled in Windows | Enable the adapter in Settings > Network & Internet > Change adapter options or Device Manager. |
| Missing, corrupted, or outdated driver | Update or reinstall the driver in Device Manager or from the manufacturer website. |
| Windows Update / driver conflict | Roll back the driver or use System Restore to revert recent updates. |
| Power management shuts adapter off | Disable power-saving option in Device Manager > Network adapters > Properties > Power Management. |
| Corrupt network stack (TCP/IP/Winsock) | Run netsh int ip reset and netsh winsock reset, then restart. |
| Incorrect IP/DNS configuration | Switch to Obtain IP address automatically or set correct static IP/DNS. |
| Necessary network services stopped | Start/enable DHCP Client, Network Connections, etc., in services.msc. |
| Firewall or security software blocking | Temporarily disable firewall/antivirus or create allow rules. |
| VPN or proxy interfering | Disable VPN and proxy in Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy. |
| Router/modem or ISP issue | Power-cycle router/modem and test with another device. |
| Faulty cable or hardware failure | Replace cable, test adapter on another PC, or try a USB NIC. |
| Airplane mode or hardware wireless switch | Turn off Airplane mode from Action Center or use the laptop’s wireless switch. |
| Router MAC filtering or security settings | Remove MAC filtering or add your adapter’s MAC in router admin settings. |
Detailed Fixes for “Network Adapter doesn’t work in Windows 10”
1 — Adapter is disabled in Windows
Why it causes the problem:
If the adapter is disabled, Windows will not transmit or receive network traffic. This often happens after system maintenance or accidentally clicking disable.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Settings > Network & Internet > Status.
- Click Change adapter options.
- Right-click your adapter (Ethernet or Wi‑Fi) and choose Enable.
- Alternatively open Device Manager (Win + X > Device Manager) > expand Network adapters, right-click the adapter and select Enable device if available.
Tip: If the adapter is missing entirely from Device Manager, check View > Show hidden devices.
2 — Missing, corrupted, or outdated driver
Why it causes the problem:
The network adapter needs a compatible driver to function. Corrupt or wrong drivers prevent communication.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Device Manager.
- Expand Network adapters, right-click the adapter and choose Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for updated driver software — let Windows attempt an online install.
- If that fails, download the correct driver from the PC or adapter manufacturer’s website using another computer and transfer with USB. Then choose Browse my computer for driver software and point to the folder.
- To fully refresh, right-click and choose Uninstall device (check Delete the driver software for this device if present), then restart Windows — Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver.
Note: For OEM laptops, prefer drivers from the manufacturer’s support page (Dell/HP/Lenovo) to ensure compatibility.
3 — Windows Update / driver conflict
Why it causes the problem:
Windows Update may install a generic or incompatible driver that breaks the adapter.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Device Manager, right-click adapter > Properties > Driver tab.
- Click Roll Back Driver if available.
- If Roll Back is disabled, open Settings > Update & Security > Recovery and use Go back to the previous version of Windows 10 only if appropriate.
- Use Control Panel > System and Security > System > System Protection > System Restore to restore to a point before the update.
- Pause automatic driver updates: Control Panel > System > Advanced system settings > Hardware > Device Installation Settings > select No.
Tip: After restoring, install the manufacturer driver and hide the problematic update via Microsoft’s Show/Hide Updates troubleshooter.
4 — Power management shuts adapter off
Why it causes the problem:
Windows may turn off the network adapter to save power, breaking connectivity, especially on laptops.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Device Manager, expand Network adapters, double-click your adapter.
- Go to Power Management tab and uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
- Click OK and reboot.
Also check Control Panel > Power Options > Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings > Wireless Adapter Settings and set to Maximum Performance.
5 — Corrupt network stack (TCP/IP/Winsock)
Why it causes the problem:
TCP/IP or Winsock corruption prevents Windows from using TCP networking properly, causing failure to access networks.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Command Prompt as administrator (Win + X > Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin)).
- Run the following commands one at a time:
- netsh winsock reset
- netsh int ip reset
- ipconfig /release
- ipconfig /renew
- ipconfig /flushdns
- Restart the PC.
Note: These commands reset network protocol stacks and often resolve persistent connectivity errors.
6 — Incorrect IP/DNS configuration
Why it causes the problem:
Wrong static IP or DNS settings can prevent the adapter from communicating with the router/Internet.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Change adapter options.
- Right-click adapter > Properties > select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) > Properties.
- Choose Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically to use DHCP, or enter the correct static values given by your network admin.
- For DNS issues, set Preferred DNS server to 8.8.8.8 and Alternate to 8.8.4.4 temporarily to test Google DNS.
Tip: After changes run ipconfig /renew in an elevated command prompt.
7 — Necessary network services stopped
Why it causes the problem:
Key Windows services (DHCP Client, Network Location Awareness) must run for networking to work.
Step-by-step solution:
- Press Win + R, type services.msc, press Enter.
- Locate and ensure these services are Running and set to Automatic:
- DHCP Client
- Network Connections
- Network Location Awareness
- Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
- Right-click each service > Properties > set Startup type to Automatic and click Start if stopped.
Note: Some third-party services (VPN clients) may also interfere — disable them temporarily.
8 — Firewall or security software blocking
Why it causes the problem:
Overly strict firewall or third-party antivirus rules can block network access.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Windows Security > Firewall & network protection.
- Temporarily choose Domain/Private/Public network and toggle Windows Defender Firewall to Off for testing (remember to re-enable).
- If using third-party security, open its interface and disable network protection temporarily or create allow rules for your network adapter.
- Use Windows Defender Firewall > Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall to whitelist apps.
Tip: Always re-enable firewall after testing; do not keep it off permanently.
9 — VPN or proxy interfering
Why it causes the problem:
Active VPNs or proxy settings may route traffic incorrectly or block DNS lookups.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Settings > Network & Internet > VPN and disconnect any active VPNs.
- Open Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy and set Use a proxy server to Off, or set Automatically detect settings to On.
- If VPN software installed, uninstall or disable it in Apps & features for testing.
10 — Router/modem or ISP issue
Why it causes the problem:
If the router or ISP is down, the issue is external to the PC.
Step-by-step solution:
- Restart modem and router: unplug power for 30 seconds, plug back in.
- Test other devices to confirm whether they have connectivity.
- Connect the PC directly to the modem using Ethernet (if available) to rule out router issues.
- Contact ISP if multiple devices are offline.
Tip: Check router logs or the admin web interface for blocked devices or firmware updates.
11 — Faulty cable or hardware failure
Why it causes the problem:
Damaged Ethernet cables, broken ports, or failing NIC hardware will prevent network traffic.
Step-by-step solution:
- Inspect and replace Ethernet cable.
- Try a different port on the router/switch.
- Test the adapter on another computer if detachable, or test another adapter (USB NIC) on your PC.
- In Device Manager, look for a yellow exclamation mark; check adapter properties for error codes.
Note: If hardware is faulty, replacing the adapter (PCIe or USB) is usually the simplest fix.
12 — Airplane mode or hardware wireless switch
Why it causes the problem:
Airplane mode disables wireless radios; many laptops also have a physical Wi‑Fi switch.
Step-by-step solution:
- Open Action Center (Win + A) and ensure Airplane mode is Off.
- Check Settings > Network & Internet > Airplane mode and toggle if needed.
- Inspect your laptop for a hardware wireless switch or function key (like Fn + F12) and enable Wi‑Fi.
13 — Router MAC filtering or security settings
Why it causes the problem:
Routers can block devices by MAC address or by security settings (WPA key mismatch).
Step-by-step solution:
- Find your adapter’s MAC: open Command Prompt, run ipconfig /all, and note the Physical Address for the adapter.
- Log into your router admin page (often 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) using a browser.
- Under security or access control, check MAC Filtering or Access Control and either disable it or add your adapter’s MAC address.
- Verify the Wi‑Fi password and security mode (WPA2 recommended) match what you enter on the PC.
Tip: If you can’t log into the router, consult the router manual or ISP support.
Additional section: Prevention, tools, and when to seek help
Prevention and routine checks:
- Keep drivers updated from vendor sites every few months. Create a System Restore point before driver updates.
- Run Windows Update regularly but review optional driver updates.
- Use a surge protector for networking gear and keep firmware current on routers.
- Create a small USB toolkit: drivers for your NIC, portable antivirus and a bootable Linux USB for hardware testing.
Useful tools:
- Built-in: Network troubleshooter (Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network troubleshooter).
- Commands: ping, tracert, nslookup for diagnosing connectivity, DNS, and routing.
- Third-party: Wireshark for advanced packet analysis; only use if comfortable.
When to seek professional help:
- If you’ve tried hardware swaps and the adapter still fails, it’s likely a deeper hardware or motherboard issue — contact technician.
- If a corporate-managed machine has group policies or security profiles, contact your IT department before changing settings.
FAQ
Q: Can I fix network adapter issues with the Windows Network Troubleshooter?
A: Yes — it’s a quick first step (Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network troubleshooter), but it may not resolve driver or hardware failures.
Q: How do I get drivers if I have no internet on the affected PC?
A: Use another device to download drivers from the manufacturer, copy them to a USB stick, and install on the offline PC.
Q: Will a Windows Network Reset help?
A: Yes — Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network reset reinstalls network adapters and resets settings to defaults; use it if other steps fail (you will need to reconnect VPNs and re-enter Wi‑Fi passwords).
Q: How can I tell if the problem is hardware or software?
A: Test the adapter on another PC or use a known-good USB Ethernet/Wi‑Fi adapter on your machine; hardware issues persist across OS reinstalls and show physical error codes in Device Manager.
Q: Can malware cause network adapter problems?
A: Yes — malware can alter network settings or block connectivity; run a full scan with updated antivirus or Microsoft Defender offline scan.
Conclusion
Most connectivity problems are resolved by enabling the adapter, reinstalling drivers, resetting the network stack, and checking router/hardware. Follow the 13 fixes above to methodically identify and repair why your Network Adapter doesn’t work in Windows 10.
