They provide convenient connections to hardwired devices like your desktops or laptops. However, they can sometimes run into a problem, and you may face issues with the connection.There might be a range of causes why your ethernet driver is not working. It might start from the faulty ports in the router and go up to the incorrect configuration of your ethernet settings. You can start to apply fixes from changing your router port to applying the proper settings for your ethernet driver.This article will discuss the various fixes you can apply when your ethernet driver is not working.
How to Fix the Ethernet Driver Not Working?
When you have problems with the ethernet cable or its settings, it will stop working. It may even show the message that says something like Windows could not find a driver for your network adapter and so on. You don’t need to worry. Troubleshooting this problem is not a big deal. It won’t take much of your time.Here, I will guide you through a list of fixes that you can apply to solve the problem. Let’s dive straight into it!
Connect the Ethernet Cable to Other Ports on the Router
You can change the port to which your ethernet cable is connected to the router. It will help if the currently connected port has malfunctioned or is faulty.
Check the Cables
The ethernet cable might be broken, and it may be causing the issue. You can take another piece of cable and test it to see if it solves the problem.
Restart the Computer
Restarting helps solve many problems most of the time. Any temporary glitches and bugs in the software are flushed after restarting. Restart your computer to see if it fixes the issue with the ethernet driver.
Run the Network Troubleshooter
Network troubleshooter is a tool that diagnoses if there is any issue in the network connection. The troubleshooter also addresses issues with ethernet drivers. Follow these steps to run it:
Reset the Network Adapters
Resetting the network adapters will revert any changes made to the network adapters to the original settings. It will probably solve the issue with the ethernet driver. Follow these steps to reset the network adapters:Your network settings are now reset. Check to see if the problem persists.
Update the Network Drivers
Sometimes, outdated drivers can also cause the issue. Update the network adapters driver following these steps:It will download and install if there are any updates available. If you have drivers with you, select Browse my computer for driver software and proceed further.
Enable Ethernet Connection From Network Connections
Your ethernet connection may sometimes be disabled, which creates the issue. To re-enable it:
Reset the Network Configuration
Faults in the network configuration also cause issues in the ethernet connection. Flushing the DNS solves the issue most of the time. So, follow these steps to flush the DNS:
Use Google DNS
Using Google DNS makes the connection more secure and reliable. It can sometimes fix issues with the ethernet driver as well. Follow these steps to configure Google DNS:
Change Power Management Settings
The power management settings might be saved such that the PC may turn off the ethernet device to save the power. It will certainly cause the issue. Follow these steps to change the power management settings:
Use netcfg -d Command
If your system cannot locate the network adapter, the netcfg -d command helps you discover it. It is also one of the working methods to solve the issue of ethernet drivers. To accomplish this, type netcfg -d command in the Command prompt, and that’s all. Restart your device to see if it solves the problem.
Auto Start the WLAN AutoConfig Service
Some background services running in Windows may prevent ethernet services from starting. You should set the WLAN AutoConfig service to start automatically so that Windows can recognize your ethernet adapters. Follow these steps:The missing adapters should now be available. Check to see if it solved the problem.