Having trouble with your network adapter? In this guide, I will walk you through troubleshooting and fixing common issues that can cause your network adapter to stop working.
Troubleshooting network problems in Windows
First, check if your network adapter is enabled. To do this, right-click on the Start menu and select “Device Manager.” In the Device Manager window, expand the “Network adapters” category and look for your network adapter. If it has a yellow exclamation mark or a down arrow icon next to it, it means the adapter is disabled or not working properly. Right-click on the adapter and select “Enable” to activate it.
If enabling the adapter doesn’t solve the issue, try updating the device driver. Right-click on the network adapter again and select “Update driver.” Choose the option to automatically search for updated driver software. Windows will then download and install the latest driver for your network adapter. Restart your computer after the driver update to see if the issue is resolved.
If updating the driver doesn’t help, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling the network adapter. Right-click on the adapter in Device Manager and select “Uninstall device.” Confirm the action and then restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the network adapter when you boot up your system. Check if the adapter is now working properly.
Another troubleshooting step you can take is to reset the TCP/IP stack. Open a Command Prompt window with administrative privileges by right-clicking on the Start menu and selecting “Command Prompt (Admin).” In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter: netsh int ip reset. Restart your computer after the command completes and see if the network adapter is functioning correctly.
If none of these steps resolve the issue, you can try using the Windows Network Diagnostics tool. Right-click on the network icon in the taskbar and select “Troubleshoot problems.” Windows will scan for any network issues and attempt to fix them automatically. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.
In some cases, the network adapter may have a hardware problem. If you’re using a desktop computer, you can try reseating the network adapter by turning off your computer, opening the case, and removing the network adapter. Insert it back into the appropriate slot and ensure it is securely connected. If you’re using a laptop, you may need to contact technical support for further assistance.
Remember, if you’re experiencing network issues, it’s also a good idea to check your Wi-Fi connection or Ethernet cable. Make sure they are properly connected and functioning. Additionally, ensure that your router is working correctly and that you have internet access from your internet service provider. Sometimes, the issue may not be with your network adapter but with your internet connection.
Things to try first
- Save any unsaved work and close all open programs.
- Click on the “Start” button in the bottom left corner of the screen.
- Select the “Power” option.
- Choose “Restart” from the drop-down menu.
- Wait for the computer to shut down and restart.
Repair Method 2: Check Network Cables and Connections
- Ensure that all network cables are securely plugged in at both ends.
- If using a wired connection, check that the Ethernet cable is not damaged or frayed.
- If using a wireless connection, ensure that the Wi-Fi router is turned on and properly connected to the modem.
- Try using a different Ethernet cable or a different Wi-Fi router (if available) to rule out any hardware issues.
Repair Method 3: Update Network Adapter Drivers
- Open the “Device Manager” by pressing Win + X and selecting “Device Manager” from the menu.
- Expand the “Network adapters” category.
- Right-click on the network adapter that is not working and choose “Update driver.”
- Select the option to automatically search for updated driver software.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the driver update process.
Repair Method 4: Disable and Enable the Network Adapter
- Open the “Network Connections” window by pressing Win + R and typing ncpa.cpl, then press Enter.
- Right-click on the network adapter that is not working and choose “Disable.”
- Wait for a few seconds, then right-click on the disabled network adapter and choose “Enable.”
- Check if the network adapter starts working again.
Repair Method 5: Reset TCP/IP Stack
- Open the Command Prompt as an administrator by pressing Win + X and selecting “Command Prompt (Admin)” from the menu.
- Type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each:
- netsh winsock reset
- netsh int ip reset
- netsh winsock reset
- Restart the computer and check if the network adapter is working now.
Update your network adapter driver
Troubleshoot and Fix Network Adapter Not Working
If you’re experiencing issues with your network adapter not working, it may be due to an outdated or incompatible driver. Updating your network adapter driver can often resolve these problems. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Open the Device Manager: Press the Windows key + X, then select “Device Manager” from the menu that appears.
2. Locate your network adapter: Expand the “Network adapters” category in the Device Manager to see a list of installed network adapters. Look for the one that is experiencing issues.
3. Update the driver: Right-click on the problematic network adapter and select “Update driver” from the context menu.
4. Choose the update method: You will be presented with two options – “Search automatically for updated driver software” or “Browse my computer for driver software.”
– If you choose the first option, Windows will search for the latest driver software online and install it automatically if found. Make sure you have an active internet connection for this method to work.
– If you choose the second option, you will need to manually locate and install the driver software. You will need to have downloaded the driver beforehand from the manufacturer’s website.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions: Depending on the method you selected, Windows will guide you through the driver update process. Make sure to follow any prompts or instructions that appear.
6. Restart your computer: After the driver update is complete, it’s recommended to restart your computer to apply the changes.
By updating your network adapter driver, you can often resolve issues with your network adapter not working. If you’re still experiencing problems, you may need to contact your device manufacturer or seek further technical support.
python
import psutil
def check_network_adapters():
adapters = psutil.net_if_stats()
for adapter, stats in adapters.items():
print(f"Adapter: {adapter}")
print(f" - Is up: {stats.isup}")
print(f" - Is running: {stats.isrunning}")
print(f" - Duplex: {stats.duplex}")
print(f" - Speed: {stats.speed} Mbps")
print()
check_network_adapters()
This code utilizes the `psutil` library, which provides an interface to retrieve information about network adapters. It retrieves the statistics for each network adapter on the system, such as whether it is up, running, the duplex mode, and the speed in Mbps.
Perform a power reset on your computer
Performing a power reset on your computer can often resolve network adapter issues. Follow these steps to perform a power reset:
1. Shut down your computer completely.
2. Disconnect the power cable from the back of your desktop computer or unplug your laptop from the power source.
3. If you are using a laptop, remove the battery (if it is removable).
4. Wait for at least 30 seconds to ensure all residual power is drained from the system.
5. Reconnect the power cable to your desktop computer or plug in your laptop.
6. If you removed the battery, reinsert it.
7. Turn on your computer and wait for it to fully boot up.
Performing a power reset can help to clear any temporary network adapter issues that may be causing connectivity problems. If the network adapter still does not work after the power reset, you may need to troubleshoot further or consider updating the device driver.
To update the device driver for your network adapter, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard to open the Power User menu.
2. Select Device Manager from the list.
3. In the Device Manager window, expand the Network Adapters category.
4. Locate your network adapter, right-click on it, and select Update driver from the context menu.
5. Choose the option to automatically search for updated driver software.
6. If Windows finds a newer driver version, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
7. After the driver update is complete, restart your computer to apply the changes.
Updating the network adapter driver can often resolve compatibility issues or fix bugs that may be causing the network adapter not to work properly.
If you are specifically experiencing a Code 31 error with the Broadcom 802.11n network adapter on Windows 8, follow these steps to resolve the issue:
1. Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard to open the Power User menu.
2. Select Device Manager from the list.
3. In the Device Manager window, expand the Network Adapters category.
4. Right-click on the Broadcom 802.11n network adapter and select Uninstall device.
5. Confirm the uninstallation and restart your computer.
6. After the restart, Windows should automatically reinstall the network adapter and resolve the Code 31 error.
Run the Network troubleshooter
To begin, navigate to the Start menu and search for “Network troubleshooter.” Click on the “Network troubleshooter” tool that appears.
The troubleshooter will automatically scan your network settings and identify any potential problems. It will provide step-by-step instructions to resolve common network adapter issues.
If the troubleshooter is unable to fix the problem, it may recommend updating your network adapter driver. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Press Windows key + X and select “Device Manager” from the menu.
2. Expand the “Network adapters” category.
3. Right-click on your network adapter and select “Update driver.”
4. Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software” and follow the on-screen instructions.
If you have a Broadcom 802.11n network adapter and are using Windows 8, you may need to manually download and install the driver from the manufacturer’s website.
In some cases, network adapter issues can be resolved by resetting the TCP/IP stack. To do this, open Command Prompt as an administrator and enter the following commands:
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns
Restart your computer after running these commands and check if the network adapter is now working properly.
If you are experiencing issues with the Ethernet connection, ensure that the cable is securely plugged into both the computer and the router. A faulty cable can cause connectivity problems.
If none of these steps resolve the issue, it may be worth contacting your internet service provider for further assistance.
Remember to periodically check for Windows updates as these can often include important fixes and improvements for network-related issues.
Install the latest Windows updates
Troubleshoot and Fix Network Adapter Not Working
If you’re experiencing issues with your network adapter not working, it’s important to ensure that you have the latest Windows updates installed. These updates often include bug fixes and improvements that can help resolve network adapter problems.
To install the latest Windows updates, follow these steps:
1. Open the Start menu and type “Windows Update” in the search bar. Click on the “Windows Update settings” option that appears.
2. In the Windows Update settings menu, click on the “Check for updates” button. Windows will then scan for any available updates for your system.
3. If updates are found, click on the “Install now” button to start the installation process. You may need to restart your computer once the updates are installed.
4. After your computer has restarted, check if the network adapter is now working properly. If not, you may need to troubleshoot further or seek additional assistance.
If updating Windows didn’t resolve the network adapter issue, you can try updating the driver for your network adapter. Here’s how:
1. Open the Start menu and type “Device Manager” in the search bar. Click on the “Device Manager” option that appears.
2. In the Device Manager window, expand the “Network adapters” category to view the list of installed network adapters.
3. Right-click on the network adapter that is not working and select “Update driver.”
4. You’ll be given two options to update the driver. Choose the “Search automatically for updated driver software” option. Windows will then search for the latest driver for your network adapter and install it if available.
5. Once the driver update is complete, restart your computer and check if the network adapter is now functioning properly.
If you’re using a Broadcom 802.11n network adapter and are experiencing issues, you can try the following steps:
1. Open the Device Manager by typing “Device Manager” in the Start menu search bar and selecting the “Device Manager” option.
2. Locate the Broadcom 802.11n network adapter in the Network adapters category.
3. Right-click on the Broadcom 802.11n network adapter and select “Update driver.”
4. Choose the “Browse my computer for drivers” option and navigate to the folder where you downloaded the Broadcom 802.11n driver.
5. Select the driver file and click on “Next” to install the driver. Restart your computer after the installation is complete.
Do a physical inspection of your network adapter
Troubleshooting and fixing a network adapter that is not working is essential to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted internet connection on your personal computer. Here, we will guide you through a physical inspection of your network adapter, which can often help resolve common issues.
1. Start by accessing the Device Manager on your Windows computer. You can do this by right-clicking on the Start menu and selecting “Device Manager” from the menu that appears.
2. In the Device Manager window, locate the “Network adapters” category and expand it by clicking on the arrow next to it. This will display a list of all the network adapters installed on your computer.
3. Look for your network adapter in the list. It is usually named something like “Wireless Network Adapter” or “Ethernet Controller.” If you have both a wireless and an Ethernet adapter, make sure to inspect both.
4. Check if there is an exclamation mark or a red “X” symbol next to your network adapter’s icon. This indicates a problem with the driver or the device itself.
5. Right-click on the network adapter and select “Properties” from the context menu.
6. In the Properties window, go to the “Driver” tab. Here, you can try updating the driver by clicking on the “Update Driver” button. If there are no updates available, you can also try rolling back the driver to a previous version.
7. If updating or rolling back the driver doesn’t resolve the issue, you can try uninstalling the driver. Right-click on the network adapter, select “Uninstall device,” and follow the on-screen instructions. Once uninstalled, restart your computer, and Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.
8. While inspecting the network adapter, also check for any loose or disconnected cables. If you are using an Ethernet connection, ensure that the cable is securely plugged into both the network adapter and the router or modem.
9. For wireless adapters, ensure that the wireless switch on your computer is turned on. This switch is generally located on the side or front of the laptop or as a key combination on the keyboard.
10. If you are still experiencing issues after the physical inspection, it’s recommended to contact your network administrator or internet service provider for further assistance.
