Network Adapter Driver Update & Download Guide

Fix issues and improve performance with the latest network adapter drivers for your PC.

Network Adapter driver — reliable connectivity and maximum performance with stable, secure, high-speed networking

What is a Network Adapter Driver?

A network adapter driver is essential software that allows your operating system to communicate with your network adapter hardware.

Without a proper network adapter driver, your network adapter device will not function correctly or at all.

Why update your network adapter driver

Updating your network adapter driver ensures compatibility with the latest OS updates and improves stability.

Newer network adapter drivers often include bug fixes and performance enhancements.

New Network Adapter driver optimising connectivity with higher data transfer speeds and low latency

Common network adapter driver problems & symptoms

  • Network Adapter Driver completely missing from your device manager.
  • Random crashes or disconnects related to network adapter devices.
  • Poor performance or errors when using network adapter hardware.
  • Code 43 or Code 10 errors in your device manager for network adapter.
  • Inability to use advanced features of your network adapter device.

How to download & install network adapter drivers on your PC & 11

Method 1: your system update tool. Go to Settings > your system update tool > Optional updates and install any pending network adapter driver updates.

Method 2: Manufacturer's Website. Visit the official support page for your hardware, download the latest network adapter driver, and install it.

Method 3: your device manager. Right-click the Start button, select your device manager, find your network adapter device, and select 'Update driver'.

Network Adapter driver details: USB 3.0 to Gigabit Ethernet, broad compatibility and up-to-date security

How to fix network adapter driver issues

1. Restart your PC to see if your operating system automatically fixes the network adapter driver.

2. Use the built-in diagnostics tool to detect network adapter hardware issues.

3. Rollback the network adapter driver if issues started after a recent update.

4. Reinstall the network adapter driver completely via your device manager.

Network Adapter driver diagram showing centralised updates and unified driver management

Supported manufacturers & devices

  • your OS vendor
  • Intel
  • AMD
  • Realtek
  • Generic Manufacturers

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I fix a missing network adapter driver?

If your network adapter driver is missing, use your system update tool or download the official driver from your manufacturer's website to reinstall it.

Where can I download the network adapter driver?

The safest place to download the network adapter driver is from the official support website of your computer or hardware manufacturer.

Why is my network adapter driver not working?

It might stop working due to a recent an OS update, file corruption, or hardware failure. Reinstalling the network adapter driver usually helps.

How do I update the network adapter driver on your PC?

Open your device manager, right-click your network adapter device, and choose 'Update driver'. Alternatively, use your system update tool.

What is the best network adapter driver?

The best network adapter driver is the official one provided by your hardware manufacturer, specifically designed for your exact device model.

Is it safe to use third-party network adapter driver updaters?

We recommend against using third-party driver updaters as they can install bloatware or incorrect network adapter drivers. Always stick to official sources.

Do I need to uninstall the old network adapter driver before installing a new one?

In most cases the installer handles this. For stubborn issues, uninstall the device in your device manager with "Delete the driver software" ticked before reinstalling.

How often should I update my network adapter driver?

Check for updates roughly once a quarter, or whenever you experience issues. There's no benefit to updating a working network adapter driver more often than that.