How to Update Network Adapter Drivers in Windows 10 (3 Ways)

To update a network adapter driver in Windows 10, right-click Start, open Device Manager, expand Network adapters, right-click your Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter, and choose Update driver > Search automatically for drivers. For the newest version, download the driver from your PC or adapter maker’s website and install it. If you have no internet, download the driver on another device and copy it over with a USB drive.

Below are all the ways to update, roll back, or reinstall a network driver, plus quick fixes for connection problems.

Table of Contents hide

1 Method 1: Device Manager

2 Method 2: Windows Update

3 Method 3: Manufacturer’s website

4 How to roll back or reinstall the driver

5 Still having connection problems?

6 Frequently asked questions

Method 1: Device Manager

Right-click Start and choose Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters.
Right-click your adapter (names often include “Wireless,” “Wi-Fi,” or “Ethernet”) and choose Update driver.
Click Search automatically for drivers. If you downloaded a driver, choose Browse my computer for drivers and select its folder.
Restart your PC if asked.

Windows Device Manager with Network adapters expanded and Update driver highlighted in the right-click menu — (1) Right-click your network adapter, then (2) choose Update driver. *(Illustration)*

Method 2: Windows Update

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View optional updates > Driver updates. Check any network driver listed and click Download and install.

Method 3: Manufacturer’s website

Find your PC model (on the bottom label or in System Information) or your adapter’s name in Device Manager.
Go to the PC or adapter maker’s official support site and download the Windows 10 network driver.
Run the installer, then restart.

No internet on the PC? Download the driver on another computer or phone, copy it to a USB drive, and install it from there.

How to roll back or reinstall the driver

Roll back: In Device Manager, right-click the adapter > Properties > Driver tab > Roll Back Driver. Use this if problems started after an update.
Reinstall: Right-click the adapter > Uninstall device, then restart. Windows reinstalls a working driver automatically.

Still having connection problems?

Run the troubleshooter: Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Internet Connections or Network Adapter.
Reset networking: Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network reset. This reinstalls adapters and removes saved Wi-Fi networks.
Restart your router and modem.

Note the current version first so you can tell whether the update worked, using the steps to check drivers on Windows 10.

Without a network connection you can still open Device Manager on Windows 10 from the Run box and read the adapter’s error code.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know my current driver version?

In Device Manager, right-click the adapter, choose Properties, and open the Driver tab.

Should I use driver updater software?

It’s best to avoid third-party driver updaters. Use Windows Update or the maker’s website.

My adapter is missing from Device Manager. What now?

Click View > Show hidden devices, then Action > Scan for hardware changes. If it’s still missing, check the BIOS for a disabled wireless card, or the hardware may have failed.

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.