( Fixed ) Windows did not detect a properly installed network adapter

Windows is one of the most popular operating systems on PCs in the world. The operating system is one of the most reliable by can sometimes run into issues. One of these issues is when your Windows fails to detect a network adapter that you’ve properly installed.  

What this means is that your PC’s Network Adapter drivers are either not properly installed or missing. This error mostly occurs when a user upgrades their Windows or performs a clean install.

Windows failing to detect a properly installed network adapter is due to several factors to do with the network adapter drivers. The main one includes the network updater drivers missing on your PC and incorrect installation of the network adapter drivers. You can resolve this issue by running the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter, performing a system restore, updating your PC’s network drivers, or reinstalling the network drivers. 

How to fix

Don’t worry because the issue can be fixed. There are four ways that you can use to fix this error. They include:

Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

The first step to do is to run this inbuilt Windows feature that can help in solving some hardware & devices-related issues. If Windows can’t find a driver for your network adapter, then Windows + I keys together and open the Windows Settings. Scroll down to Update & Security, click on it, and then select ‘Troubleshoot’ from the left-hand pane. Scroll down on the right-hand side of the Troubleshoot page and select ‘Hardware & Devices’ and on Windows 10 click on the ‘Network Adapter’ tile and then click the ‘Run the troubleshooter’ button that appears. Once the process is complete, the troubleshooter presents you with two options – Apply this fix or Skip this fix. To resolve the issue click on Apply this issue.

Restore the System

If it’s your first time to face this issue, you can take your system back to a previous working state and resolve it. Although Windows automatically creates restore points, it’s good to manually create them once in a while. To perform a system restore, pressing the Windows key + R simultaneously to open the run box and type ‘rstui’ then hit enter. From the list, navigate to Control Panel and click on it. On the next screen, search for ‘System Restore’ in the search bar and click on ‘Create a restore point’. Click the ‘Next’ button and select a restore point from the list and check the ‘Show more restore points’ box if you wish to see more restore points and click ‘Next’. If you wish Confirm the restore point you’ve chosen and then you can also click on the ‘Scan for affected points’ box to see which software will be removed then click on ‘Finish’ to proceed. Click ‘Yes’ on the pop up window, to proceed with the system restore process.

Once the process is complete and your PC has restarted, the issue should now be fixed. If not, then proceed to the next solution.

Reinstall Network Adapter drivers

Since the error indicates an issue caused by a corrupted network adapter driver, you can resolve it by reinstalling the drivers. Open the Run dialog window by pressing both the Windows and R keys then type ‘devmgmnt.ms’ and run by clicking on OK. This opens the Device manager from which the Network adapters can be found. Double-click on the network adapters to expand the list and then right-click on your adapter and then clock on ‘Uninstall device’. To proceed with the uninstallation, select ‘Uninstall’ on the pop-up window. Once the uninstallation process is done, right-click anywhere on an empty space and then select ‘Scan for hardware changes’. Windows detects your hardware and automatically installs the default drivers. Restart your PC and then check if the issue has been resolved.

FAQs

Are ‘Windows did not detect a properly installed network adapter’, ‘Windows did not detect any networking hardware’, and ‘Windows could not find a driver for your network adapter’ the same error?

Yes, all these are the same errors and can be fixed using the above solutions.

Can I resolve this error by restarting my router?

Restarting your router can fix several issues including an issue with your network adapter drivers on Windows 10.