If your Windows operating system (OS) is unable to detect your network card, there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve the issue.
1. Check the Hardware
The first step is to check the hardware itself. Ensure that the network card is properly connected to the computer via a physical connection such as a USB port or an Ethernet cable. If there is no physical connection between the network card and the computer, then Windows will not be able to detect it.
2. Update Drivers
If the hardware is properly connected, then you should ensure that you have the latest driver for the network card installed on your computer. To do this, you can visit the manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver for your specific model of network card. Once you have downloaded the driver, install it on your computer and reboot your system to allow the driver to take effect. This should allow Windows to detect the network card.
3. Check Device Manager
If updating the driver fails to resolve the issue, then you should check the Device Manager on your computer. Access the Device Manager by pressing the Windows key + R, typing “devmgmt.msc” in the Run dialogue box and pressing Enter. The Device Manager will open and you should see a list of all the devices connected to your computer. Look for the network card in the list and if it appears with a yellow exclamation mark or is missing entirely, then this suggests a potential driver issue. Uninstall the network card from the device manager by right-clicking it and selecting “Uninstall Device”. Reinstall the latest driver and reboot your computer, which should allow Windows to detect your network card.
4. Check Network Settings
If the above steps fail to resolve the issue, then you should check the network settings on your computer. Open the Settings app on your computer and go to the Network & Internet section. Ensure that the network adapter is enabled and that you are connected to the correct network. If it appears to be disabled, try enabling it and restarting your computer. This should allow Windows to detect the network card.
5. Reset the TCP/IP Stack
If the above steps do not resolve the issue, then you should reset the TCP/IP stack on your computer. This is the set of protocols used by Windows to communicate over the internet. To reset the TCP/IP stack, press the Windows key + R, type “cmd” in the Run dialogue box, and then press Enter. This will open the Command prompt window. Type “netsh int ip reset” and press Enter. This will reset the TCP/IP stack and reboot your computer, which should allow Windows to detect the network card.
6. Reinstall Windows
If none of the above steps work, then you should consider reinstalling Windows. Reinstalling Windows will reinstall all of the necessary drivers and settings which should allow Windows to detect the network card. However, this should only be done as a last resort as it will erase all of the data and settings on your computer.
By attempting the steps outlined above, you should be able to resolve any issues with your network card not being detected by Windows. It is important to remember that any changes made to your computer should be done with caution so as to avoid causing further damage.