Windows users often report that they are facing problems with the Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller. You can face this error message in two different forms. They are, the integrated LAN card of the motherboard is dead and the other one is, there is a conflict with the driver and failed to update.
These errors might come up when you are not connected with the internet. Furthermore, due to the software problem, you may also come across these errors.
You can go through the below section to know what this error is and how to fix it. Additionally, here we also include the effective ways that can help you to update this driver.
What is Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller?
It is a controller chipset developed by Realtek that interfaces the computer’s PCIe (CPU PCI Express) bus to a Fast Ethernet network (100 Mbps). It lets the system to connect with a wired Ethernet network so that it can be connected with the internet.
The standard of the newer Gigabit Ethernet network (1000 Mbps) is backward-compatible with the Fast Ethernet. So, you can connect it to that type of network hardware. But, it only communicates at a slower speed.
How to Fix Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller Driver Error?
There is a lot of troubleshooting ways to solve fix this issue. Here, we are going to discuss them. So, you can perform the hacks provided below:
Procedure 1: Using System Restore Point
If you have a system restore point from the time when everything was running without any error, then it can help you to fix a lot of similar issues. So, you can perform the below steps to return to the previous state:
- First and foremost, press the R and Win key both at the same time from the keyboard to invoke the Run Command box.
- Then, type “rstrui.exe” in the input field and then tap on the OK button to continue.
- Now, tap on the Next option to continue. Then, select a restore point from the time period you know the system was running well.
- Complete the further process by following the on-screen guidance.
Now, the system is back to the state that it was before the problem. But, after performing these steps if you see that the error still appears, then you can move on to the next method to solve it.
Procedure 2: Update the Driver Manually
If you don’t have the system restore point, then you can solve this error by installing the driver manually for the LAN controller. To do this, you can perform the steps as follows.
Note: Before applying the below steps, you have to download the drivers for the onboard network adapter from the manufacturer website of the motherboard/laptop.
- First of all, open the Run Dialog box and then type “devmgmt.msc” in the Run box.
- Hit the Enter key from the keyboard. Or, you can click on the OK button to continue.
- Now, click on the ‘Network Adapters’ option to expand the list.
- Next, search for the ‘Realtek PCIe GBE family controller’ option by scrolling down the list of options. Once you get that, right-click on it.
- Choose the ‘Update Driver Software’ option from the list.
- Afterward, select the Manual mode that allows you to choose the drivers.
- Perform the on-screen prompt to complete the installation process.
Once you complete the installation process, restart the computer and check if the error is solved. Else, you can perform the next solution, to solve it.
Procedure 3: Using Windows Update
You can update the ‘Realtek PCIe GBE family controller’ driver by updating the OS to its latest version. To perform this, you can follow the steps provided below:
- At first, go to the Start menu and then click on the Settings (gear-shaped) icon.
- Navigate to the ‘Update & Security’ category and then click on the ‘Windows Update’ button.
- Now, tap on the ‘Check for Updates’ option. It will start to search for the latest updates available there. Once it gets that, it will download and install the updates automatically.
- Once the installation process is completed, tap on the ‘Restart Now’ button to restart the system.
The ‘Realtek PCIe GBE family controller’ driver is now updated as expected. If it’s not, then you can perform the next method as your last resort.
Procedure 4: Get a PCIe Network Adapter
If the above methods failed to solve this problem, then it indicates that the network adapter is dead. And the only way to solve this is to replace it with a new one.
On the other hand, nowadays network adapters are quite cheap. So, you just have to buy a new one that matches the requirements in terms of compatibility and speed with the motherboard of your computer.
But, if you are unaware of the process of how to replace the network adapters, then you can get a USB Wi-Fi adapter and connect it wirelessly if the router supports this.
So, these are the methods for how to update the Realtek PCIe GBE family controller. Hopefully, after executing the above methods in their appropriate order, you will be able to put an end to this error.
