Many users face the “Windows 10 Wifi adapter missing” problem all over the world. It is an essential part of the system that helps connect to the internet (wired & wifi). If the network adapter is missing in the device manager, it could be found by enabling the notification on “Wireless network adapter missing Windows 10.” When you find the specific issue, your system cannot connect to the network connection.
The reasons for missing Windows 10 network adapter might be many, but not updating the software is the most common issue. Most users fail to update because it brings a few fixes that make the network drivers incompatible with its connection. However, updating the OS will not cause any damage to your system. So, it is necessary to provide updates to run the application smoothly. Let us now address the “Windows 10 wifi adapter network missing.”
Why Is The Windows 10 Wifi Adapter Missing?
There will be many reasons for Windows 10 network adapters missing, but having outdated or incompatible network drivers could be the leading cause for this issue. Generally, a wifi adapter missing Windows 10 arises when you have a recent update on the system. Also, running your PC with corrupted files results in Windows 10 network adapter missing.
The significant problems PCs show when the wireless network adapter is missing from Windows 10 are as follows:
- Under the network connections, wifi will not be available for the connection.
- In some situations, it might refuse to discover and show unavailability.
- The network adapter misses periodically from the device manager.
Simple solutions for fixing Wifi adapter missing Windows 10 are as follows
Tip #1. Restart PC To Solve Windows 10 Wifi Adapter Missing
Generally, restarting a PC solves the system-related issues on the device. When people find a system problem, they opt for this trick because it is easy to perform. A quick PC initialization fixes the Windows 10 wifi adapter missing and gives the RAM a new look for its operation. Here are the steps to restart the PC:
- Click the Windows button on the PC’s screen
- Then, choose the “Power” option
- From the list, select “Restart.”
- Now, the PC gets a revival and turns on automatically
Tip #2. Network Reset Tool
Network resetting fixes the wireless & wired connection issues, like resetting a PC. Windows 10 has an inbuilt network reset tool that removes all the saved networks on devices and sets the connection back to default settings. So, try the steps below when the Windows 10 network adapter is missing and initialize your network:
- Open the “Settings” app on the PC
- Then, click “Network & Internet.”
- Choose “Status” and move down to “Network reset.”
- Select the “Reset now” button
Note: Reinstall the VPN or any other virtual switches you use after executing the network reset.
Tip #3. Reset Winsock Settings To Solve Windows 10 Wifi Adapter Missing
Winsock is a programming interface that handles the internet’s configuration on a PC. If there are any errors in Winsock files, it causes a wifi adapter missing Windows 10. Getting through the following steps recovers the system’s malfunction and fixes the missing wifi adapter for Windows 10. You can reset the Winsock data in the following ways:
- In the start menu search bar, explore “Command prompt.”
- Choose “Run as administrator.”
- Type “netsh Winsock reset” in the command bar’s screen.
- Now, press “Enter.”
- Then, restart the PC or laptop to save the changes.
Tip #4. Enable And Disable Network Adapter
When people surf the internet, a network adapter connects the system to the available network. Whenever the system shows wifi adapter missing Windows 10, try enabling and disabling the network adapter to avail its connection. This step removes or deletes the corrupt files from the computer’s network adapter. Below are the ways to activate and deactivate the network adapter:
- First, open the “Settings” app on the PC
- Choose “Network & Internet” → “Status”
- Under the “Advanced Network settings,” find “Change adapter options.”
- Now, select “Network adapter” or “Ethernet” port of the PC
- Right-click and “Disable” it
- For turning on the “Network adapter” or “Ethernet” port, right-click on the required connection and tap “Activate”
Tip #5. Update Network Driver
If you cannot find a network adapter on the computer, it might be due to its outdated version. Hence updating your network driver fixes the Windows 10 wifi adapter missing as it rolls out the bug fixes and helps you connect to the internet. Follow the below steps to update the network driver:
- For opening the device manager, long press “Windows + R” and enter “devmgmt.msc” in the run dialog box
- Choose “Windows 10 wifi controller” and right-click on it to expand “Network adapters”
- Now, select “Update driver software.”
- Then, you will notice two options for updating the network adapter driver. It is best to choose the first option, “Search updates automatically for drivers.”
- Have patience until the Windows searches for the compatible network adapter driver
- After that, download and install the suitable network adapter.
- Close the device manager window and reboot the PC
If the issue Windows 10 wifi adapter missing persists, then follow the below-given steps:
- Double click the required connection
- Choose “Update driver” from the device manager
- This time, select the 2nd option, “Browse my computer for driver software.”
- Tap on “Let me pick from the list of available drivers on my computers.”
- From the generated list version, update the network drivers
- If none of the steps helps you, then move to the “manufacturer’s website” to update the network driver.
- Here, download and install the latest driver and restart the PC.
Tip #6. Show Hidden Drivers In Windows 10
A device manager is an option that shows detailed information about every installed app or file. When an error occurs, this information helps us to rectify the problem. The PC hides the network adapter and doesn’t display it on the device manager. This, in turn, enables the notification to the user regarding wireless network adapters missing Windows 10. Here is how to solve the hidden drivers in Windows 10:
- Long Press the “Windows + X” key on the keyboard
- Choose “Device Manager”
- Now, it asks for permission. Tap “Yes” to open the device manager
- Next, click “View” and select “Show hidden devices” on the screen
- Tap “Network adapter” → “Action.”
- Then, select “Scan for hardware changes.”
- Double-click on the network adapter. It expands the list, and you can view your hidden wireless network adapter.
- If the adapter is seen on the list, double-click to view its properties and check its working.
Tip #7. Run Network Troubleshooter
Windows 10 has a list of troubleshooters to fix system-related issues, and one such effective app is the network troubleshooter. This inbuilt program solves the network-related problem for both wired and wireless networks. So, if the Windows 10 network adapter is missing, run the network troubleshooter to fix your issues.
- Open the “Windows settings” app by pressing the “Windows + I” buttons on your keyboard
- Choose “Update & Security”
- From the sidebar, select the “Troubleshoot” option
- Then, click “Additional troubleshooters”
- Below “Find & fix other problems” → “Network adapter” on the screen
- Next, tap “Run troubleshooter”
- Complete the troubleshooting process by following the on-screen instruction.
Tip #8. Update Windows 10
An outdated OS often causes system-related issues like battery drain, slow performance, network lagging, etc. Likewise, the older OS version results in a wireless network adapter missing Windows 10 as the new driver’s update might not support it. In order to overcome Windows 10 wifi adapter missing, keep your OS up-to-date.
- Press the “Windows + I” key to open the Windows settings on the PC
- From the list, select “Update & Security.”
- Next, choose “Windows update.”
- Now, click “Check for updates.”
- If there is any update, download and install it
Tip #9. Clean Network Drivers
Overloaded network caches on network drivers might result in the wifi adapter missing Windows 10. These network caches may corrupt or slow down the internet connection and cause Windows 10 wifi adapter missing. In such cases, clean the network drivers to fix the wireless network adapter missing Windows 10 with the steps below:
- Open the run window by pressing the “Windows + R” buttons on the keyboard
- Type “cmd” and press the “Ctrl+Shift+Enter” key to unlock cmd for administrator
- You can also move to the “Start menu” and search for “cmd.” After that, tap “Run as administrator.”
- In the cmd terminal, type “netcfg -d” and press “enter.”
- This cleans the network devices and fixes missing wifi adapter Windows 10
Tip # 10. Examine The Power Management To Fix Windows 10 Wifi Adapter Missing:
Windows 10 update enhances the system’s power management. When your system has low power, it turns off the device automatically. The issue “Windows 10 wifi adapter missing” happens due to the power optimization. Turn off the network adapter to revive the internet connection.
- First, click the “Windows” icon (start) on the screen
- Next, select “Control panel.”
- Then, choose the “Power options.”
- Tap and change the battery settings according to your preference
Final Thoughts:
This article explains the fixes for “Windows 10 wifi adapter missing.” We can all agree that attending an online meeting, doing business work, texting, video calling, and more are impossible without the internet. Try out the above steps to fix the issue; if not, contact experienced technicians to solve the wireless network adapter missing Windows 10.