How to Reinstall the Wi-Fi Driver on Windows 10

If your Windows 10 laptop won’t connect to Wi-Fi, can’t see any networks, or the Wi-Fi option has disappeared, a corrupted or outdated wireless driver is a common cause. Reinstalling the driver gives Windows a clean copy and fixes many of these problems. This guide shows the quick reinstall through Device Manager, how to install the manufacturer’s driver when Windows’ version isn’t enough, and what to try if Wi-Fi still doesn’t work. Bluetooth giving you trouble as well? The same Device Manager approach works for reinstalling a Windows 10 Bluetooth driver.

Quick Answer

Right-click Start and open Device Manager. Expand Network adapters, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter (usually with “Wireless,” “Wi-Fi,” or “802.11” in the name), choose Uninstall device, and confirm. Restart your PC, and Windows reinstalls the driver automatically.

Before You Start: Get a Backup Driver

Once the Wi-Fi driver is removed, you may not be able to go online to download a new one. So first:

1. Note your Wi-Fi adapter’s name in Device Manager > Network adapters.
2. Download the latest Wi-Fi (WLAN) driver for your exact model from your laptop or motherboard maker’s support site, using another connection (Ethernet, phone tethering, or another computer).
3. Save it to your desktop or a USB drive.

Method 1: Reinstall Through Device Manager

1. Right-click Start and choose Device Manager.
2. Expand Network adapters.
3. Right-click the Wi-Fi adapter and choose Uninstall device.
4. Leave Attempt to remove the driver for this device (or Delete the driver software) unchecked for a simple reinstall. Check it only if you want to force a completely fresh driver and have one downloaded.
5. Click Uninstall.
6. Restart your PC, or click Action > Scan for hardware changes. Windows detects the adapter and reinstalls the driver.

Method 2: Install the Manufacturer’s Driver

1. Run the driver installer you downloaded and follow the prompts.
2. If it’s a folder of files instead of an installer, go to Device Manager, right-click the adapter (or the unknown Network Controller under Other devices), choose Update driver > Browse my computer for drivers, select the folder, and click Next.
3. Restart.

Method 3: Roll Back a Bad Driver Update

If Wi-Fi broke after an update, right-click the adapter, choose Properties > Driver, and click Roll Back Driver. It’s grayed out if there’s no previous version.

Method 4: Network Reset

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status and click Network reset, then Reset now. This reinstalls all network adapters and resets networking settings. Your PC restarts, and you’ll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi and re-enter passwords (and reinstall VPN software if you use it).

Still No Wi-Fi?

• Adapter missing from Device Manager: Click View > Show hidden devices. Check for a physical Wi-Fi switch or an Fn key with a wireless icon, and make sure Airplane mode is off.
• Adapter shows a yellow warning: Open Properties to see the error code and install the manufacturer’s driver.
• Power saving: In the adapter’s Properties > Power Management, uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
• Enable the adapter: In Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings, right-click Wi-Fi and choose Enable.
• Run the network troubleshooter: Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Network Adapter.
• If nothing works, the Wi-Fi card may be faulty; an inexpensive USB Wi-Fi adapter is a quick workaround.

A standard account can only view devices, so open Device Manager with administrator rights before you uninstall or roll back a driver.

Summary

1. Download a backup driver first.
2. Uninstall the Wi-Fi adapter in Device Manager and restart.
3. Install the manufacturer’s driver if Windows’ driver doesn’t work.
4. Try Roll Back Driver or Network reset if problems continue.

Kermit Matthews

Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He is an IT specialist with over 20 years of experience, from a university help desk to small-business IT, IT management and his own consulting practice, and has written tech guides full time since 2020. Steps are checked against the current software on a real device or the maker’s official documentation. More about Kermit.