How to Install a Wi-Fi Driver on Windows 10 Without Internet

To install a Wi-Fi driver on Windows 10 without internet, download the driver on another computer or phone, copy it to a USB flash drive, and install it on the PC without Wi-Fi. First, find your computer’s model or the Wi-Fi adapter’s hardware ID in Device Manager, then download the matching Windows 10 driver from the PC maker’s or adapter maker’s support website. Alternatively, get the PC online temporarily with an Ethernet cable or USB tethering from an Android phone, and let Windows Update find the driver.

Here’s how to identify the right driver, move it over, and install it.

Step 1: Identify your Wi-Fi adapter

1. Right-click Start and choose Device Manager.
2. Look under Network adapters. If the driver is missing, it may appear as Network Controller under Other devices with a yellow warning icon.
3. Right-click it and choose Properties, then open the Details tab.
4. Under Property, choose Hardware Ids and note the top value, like PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2725. The VEN number identifies the maker (for example, 8086 is Intel, 10EC is Realtek, 168C is Qualcomm Atheros).

For laptops and prebuilt PCs, the easiest option is to note the exact model number from the sticker on the bottom or in System Information (msinfo32).

Step 2: Download the driver on another device

1. On a working computer, go to your PC maker’s support site (Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, Acer, and so on) and enter your model or service tag.
2. Download the Wireless LAN or Wi-Fi driver for Windows 10, 64-bit.
3. If you have a desktop with a separate Wi-Fi card, download the driver from the card maker’s website instead.
4. Copy the downloaded file to a USB flash drive.

Step 3: Install the driver

1. Plug the USB drive into the PC without Wi-Fi.
2. If the download is an .exe installer, double-click it and follow the prompts.
3. If it’s a folder or ZIP with .inf files, extract it. In Device Manager, right-click the adapter, choose Update driver > Browse my computer for drivers, select the folder, and click Next.
4. Restart the PC and connect to Wi-Fi.

Other ways to get online temporarily

• Ethernet cable: Plug the PC into your router, then run Windows Update > View optional updates to get the Wi-Fi driver.
• USB tethering from Android: Connect your phone with a USB cable and turn on USB tethering in the phone’s hotspot settings. Windows usually recognizes it without extra drivers.
• iPhone USB tethering needs Apple’s device drivers, which come with iTunes or the Apple Devices app, so it’s harder without internet.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my Wi-Fi driver is missing?

There’s no Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar, no Wi-Fi option in Settings, and Device Manager shows no wireless adapter or shows a Network Controller with a warning icon.

Can I use the Windows 10 installation USB to get drivers?

Not usually. The installer includes only basic drivers. Download the specific driver from the maker.

What if my PC maker has no Windows 10 driver?

Try the Wi-Fi chip maker’s generic driver, based on the hardware ID. Windows 11 drivers sometimes work on Windows 10 too.

Can I install a driver on a USB Wi-Fi adapter the same way?

Yes. Download the adapter’s driver on another device and install it from the USB drive.