Fix Realtek Ethernet Adapter Doesn T Work After Windows

Fix Realtek Ethernet Adapter Doesn T Work After Windows Fix Realtek Ethernet Adapter Not Working After Windows Update The Realtek Ethernet adapter is a common component found in many PCs providing network connectivity via an Ethernet cable However after a Windows update you might encounter issues where your Realtek Ethernet adapter stops working This can leave you disconnected from the internet hindering your ability to work browse or communicate This article will guide you through troubleshooting steps and potential solutions to fix the problem Understanding the Problem The main reasons why your Realtek Ethernet adapter might malfunction after a Windows update include Outdated or incompatible drivers Windows updates sometimes introduce new features or changes that require updated drivers for your hardware to function correctly If the existing Realtek driver is not compatible with the latest update it can cause connectivity problems Driver corruption During the update process the driver files might get corrupted or damaged resulting in the Ethernet adapter failing to work Hardware issues While less common the issue could also stem from a malfunctioning Ethernet port or a problem with the Realtek chipset itself Troubleshooting Steps 1 Check for Internet Connection Verify your modemrouter Ensure that your modem and router are powered on and functioning properly Check physical connections Make sure the Ethernet cable is securely connected to both your computer and the router Try a different Ethernet cable A faulty cable can cause connection issues Test another device Connect another device to your router to confirm if the issue is with your computer or the internet connection itself 2 Update the Realtek Ethernet Adapter Driver 2 Device Manager Open the Device Manager search for Device Manager in the Windows search bar and expand the Network adapters section Locate your Realtek Ethernet adapter rightclick it and select Update driver Choose Search automatically for updated driver software and follow the onscreen instructions Realtek Website Visit the Realtek website and download the latest driver compatible with your operating system and model Once downloaded install the driver by following the installation wizard 3 Roll Back the Driver Device Manager Navigate to the Device Manager locate your Realtek Ethernet adapter rightclick it and select Properties Driver tab Go to the Driver tab and click Roll Back Driver This will revert the driver to a previous version which might resolve the problem 4 Reinstall the Realtek Ethernet Adapter Driver Device Manager Rightclick the Realtek Ethernet adapter in Device Manager and select Uninstall device Reboot Restart your computer Reinstall driver After the restart Windows will automatically detect the adapter and attempt to reinstall the driver If it doesnt manually install the driver from Realteks website as described in step 2 5 Run Network Troubleshooter Windows Settings Go to Settings Network Internet Status Troubleshooter Click on the Network troubleshooter button to run a diagnostic check and attempt automatic repairs 6 Reset Network Settings Windows Settings Open Settings Network Internet Advanced network settings Network reset Click on Network reset and follow the prompts This will reset all network settings to their default configurations 7 Disable IPv6 Network and Sharing Center Open Network and Sharing Center search for it in the Windows search bar Network connection Rightclick on your active Ethernet connection and select Properties Internet Protocol Version 6 TCPIPv6 Uncheck the box for Internet Protocol Version 6 3 TCPIPv6 This may help if IPv6 is causing conflicts 8 Check for Hardware Issues Ethernet port Try connecting the Ethernet cable to a different port on your computer Replace Ethernet cable If the problem persists try using a different Ethernet cable Test another device Connect a different device to the same Ethernet port to verify if the issue is with the port itself 9 Update Windows Windows Update Go to Settings Update Security Windows Update Check for any available updates and install them Restart After the updates are installed restart your computer 10 Contact Realtek Support If none of the above solutions work consider contacting Realtek support for further assistance They may be able to offer more specific troubleshooting steps or identify a hardware problem Conclusion While troubleshooting a Realtek Ethernet adapter that stops working after a Windows update can be frustrating following these steps will help you identify and resolve the issue By updating drivers reinstalling the adapter or resetting network settings you can restore your network connectivity and get back online Remember to consult Realteks support if the problem persists for more tailored assistance