Windows Network troubleshooter displays the Windows could not find a driver for your network adapter error message when your computer OS fails to establish a connection with the network driver. The common cause of this error is a corrupted or out-of-date device driver.
Your Windows 10/11 PC’s incorrect power management settings can generate this problem. Have you disabled the network adapter on your computer? It can prevent the network driver from connecting to the operating system.
Besides, you can receive the Windows could not find a driver for your network adapter pop-up for enabling the VPN connection. So, disabling the VPN on your Windows computer can help you fix this network driver problem.
Try these easy troubleshooting methods to fix this Windows error to restore the internet connection on your PC:
1. Check if Your Network Adapter is Enabled
Your Windows device will fail to communicate with the network driver if the network adapter is disabled. Thus, you must check whether it is enabled or disabled from the Control Panel. Enable the network adapter if it is disabled to resolve the connectivity issue.
Here are the step-by-step instructions to enable the network adapter on your Windows 10/11 PC:
- Press the Windows and S keys simultaneously to access your Windows device’s search window and write “control”.
- Choose the Control Panel from the search result and scroll down to “Network and Sharing Center” from the next window.
- Select the Change adapter settings option from the left sidebar on the Network and Sharing Center window.
- Locate your network adapter name and right-click on it in the Network Connections window.
- Select “Enable” from the drop-down menu if the network adapter is disabled.
After enabling the network adapter, run the troubleshooter and check if you can access the internet. Windows will detect your device’s network driver, fixing the communication error.
2. Uninstall and Reinstall the Network Adapter Driver
Uninstall the network adapter driver if it is corrupted to resolve the connectivity problem. Reinstall the latest driver version after removing the virus-infected driver from your Windows device.
Remember that your PC disconnects the active network connections and removes the saved networks after uninstalling the network adapter driver. Hence, we recommend saving the wireless network names and the associated password before implementing the uninstallation steps.
Follow these steps to uninstall the network adapter driver on your Windows 10/11 PC:
- Press the Windows and X keys simultaneously and select “Device Manager” when the pop-up menu appears.
- Scroll down to the Network Adapter section and locate your network adapter name.
- Right-click on the network adapter and choose “Uninstall device” when the drop-down opens.
- Tap on “Uninstall” when the confirmation window appears.
Windows will remove the corrupted network driver from your computer or laptop.
How Can You Reinstall the Network Adapter Driver on Your Windows 10/11 PC?
Return to the Device Manager window and head towards the Action tab. Tap on it and select the Scan for Hardware Changes option from the drop-down list. Your Windows 10/11 device will reinstall the latest network adapter driver version on the device. Run the built-in Windows troubleshooter tool and check if the driver issue is resolved.
3. Modify the Network Adapter Driver’s Power Management Settings
Sometimes, your Windows device disabled the network driver function to conserve the battery. When this occurs, the operating system fails to communicate with the network adapter drivers. Hence, configuring the driver’s power management settings will help eliminate the connection issue.
Here are the quick steps to moody the network adapter driver’s power management settings on Windows 10/11 PCs:
- Press the Windows and S keys simultaneously to open the search box and write “device”.
- Select “Device Manager” from the search results and navigate to Network Adapters from the preinstalled devices list.
- Right-click on your network adapter and choose “Properties” from the pop-up menu.
- Move towards the Power Management tab and remove the tick mark next to the Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power option.
- Press the OK button to confirm the changes in the power management settings.
- Open the network troubleshooter window, and it won’t display the Windows could not find a driver for your network adapter message.
4. Keep the Network Adapter Driver Updated
It is always a good practice to keep your Windows device’s network adapter drivers updated to avoid internet connection problems. Moreover, you can update these drivers easily from the Device Manager. Here is how you can do it.
- Press the Windows and R keys simultaneously and write devmgmt.msc in the Run dialogue box.
- Hit the Enter button or tap OK to open the Device Manager window.
- Alternatively, you can simultaneously press the Windows and X keys and select “Device Manager” from the built-in Windows tools list.
- Scroll down to the Network Adapter and right-click on your wireless adapter name from the options list.
- Choose “Update driver” and “Search automatically for drivers” when the new window opens.
The Device Manager tool will search for a compatible and latest adapter version for your Windows 10/11 PC. Restart your computer, and the Windows could not find a driver for your network adapter pop-up will disappear from the troubleshooter window.
5. Install the latest Windows OS Version
System bugs or glitches can restrict your Windows device from detecting the network adapter driver. However, installing the latest update on your Windows device can remove the bugs or temporary glitches.
- Press the Windows and I keys simultaneously to access the Windows settings window. Scroll down to the Update & Security section and tap on Windows Update.
- Choose the Check for Updates button to find out whether a new update is available for your Windows 10/11 device. Did you see the “Download & Install” button? Press it to install the latest OS on your Windows system.
- Restart the computer after the operating system update. Open the network troubleshooter tool and check if it shows the Windows could not find a driver for your network adapter message.
Alternative Solutions for Windows Could Not Find a Driver For Your Network Adapter
Perform a system restore if the above solutions don’t fix the network adapter driver issue. Access your Windows 10/11 devices’ Start menu and write system restore. Select the “Create a restore point” option from the search results.
Tap the System Restore button, press Enter, or click “OK”. Choose “Recommend Restore” to undo the recent driver or OS update changes. Navigate to “Next” after checking the system restore time.
Your Windows 10/11 computer will restart after completing the system restoring process. When running the troubleshooter, the operating system will detect the network adapter driver and stop displaying the error message.
