What to do When Windows 10 Network Adapter Missing?

Windows 10 network adapter missing is a basic problem for the Windows users. This is one of the annoying problems and is more or less a common affair. If this error appears in your system, you will be unable to connect your system to the network you are using. The wireless adapter under Network connection not showing to you is a clear indication of this error. The problem may occur due to backdated or damaged Network Adapter drivers. If you are dealing with the adapter missing issue, then this article is for you. Here, in this article, we are going to discuss the steps that can help you to fix the problem with the network adapter missing issue on Windows 10 computers. Go through the steps described in the following part of the article to know the details on it.

Easy Fixes for Network Adapter Missing in Windows 10

Here, we are going to discuss the steps that can help you fix your problem with network adapter missing on Windows 10. Go through the following part of the article to learn the procedure that can help you to get rid of the issue.

Solution 1:

Let Windows Automatically Detect and Install Network Adapters

If you want to resolve the problem with the missing network adapter on Windows 10, then, Windows can help you to automatically detect and install the correct network adapters for you. The following steps will help you to do so.

1. First, go to Control Panel> Device Manager.
2. Then, open the Network adapter(s) option. This will help you to see the list of installed network adapters. Then, find out your network adapter and click on the Uninstall option.
3. After that, restart your computer. Then, the system will automatically detect and install the network adapter drivers. And lastly, check if the problem is resolved or not.

Solution 2: Check the Network Settings and Services

If the above steps don’t work in resolving this network adapter missing issue, then you should check the network settings and service of your computer. Here, are the steps that can help you to check the network settings and services. You will need to check that have you selected the correct network adapter or not.

1. First, go to the My Computer option and right click on it. Then, select the Properties option. After that, click on the Device Manager option.
2. Now, you will need to double click on the Network adapter option and “this device is working properly” message will appear on the Device status box on the General tab. If the message does not appear, then select the Troubleshoot option, and then follow as per directed.
3. Once you have confirmed the proper network adapter, now you can close all the dialog boxes which are opened in your system.

How to Check the Status of the Service?

Here are the steps that can help you to verify the status of the service. Go through the steps written in the upcoming part of the article.

1. At first, go to My Computer and right click on it. Then, click on the Manage option.
2. Thereafter, double click on the Services and Applications, and select the Services option.
3. Then, go to the right pane and take a look at the Status column and verify if the services mentioned below are started or not

Remote procedure call (RPC)

(This service must be started before other services can take effect.).

Network Connections

(This service can only start if the RPC service is active.)

Plug and Play

COM+ Event System

(This service can only start if the RPC service is active.)

Remote Access Connection Manager

(This service can only start if Telephony service is active.)

Telephony

(This service can only start if the RPC service and the PnP Service are active.).

4. If any of the above services are not started, then right click on the Service name and, select Start to start those services.
5. Do not close the Computer Management box and check the additional settings as explained in the steps below.

How to Check the Log In Settings?

Here are the steps that can help you verify the settings of your system.

1. At first, move on to the right side of the Computer Management screen and double click on the COM+ Event System service.
2. Thereafter, you will need to click on the Log On tab.
3. At the next step, go to the Login section and check the Local System account.

How to Check Desktop Interaction Setting?

Here are steps that can help you check the Desktop interaction settings in the system.

1. At first, you will need to double click on Network Connections in the Computer Management window.
2. Then, click on the Log On tab.
3. Thereafter, check the Local System Account option is selected or not that you can find under Log on as.
4. After that, check if the ‘Allow service to interact with desktop’ checkbox is selected or not and click to OK.
5. Now, you will need to close the Computer Management box.

Check the Network Service Settings

Once you are done with all the above steps, now is the time to check your network settings in your computer. The steps which are mentioned below will help you to do so.

1. At first, go to the Start button and click on it. Then, move on to the Control Panel option.
2. After that, double click on the Add or Remove Programs.
3. Thereafter, click on the Add/Remove Windows Components option.
4. Then, scroll down to the Networking Services option and click on it. After that, click on the Details option and check if the Simple TCP/IP Services is enabled or not.
5. Now, click on the OK button and close all of the dialog boxes which are opened.

Check the DLL Files

Now, you will need to check if the DLL files are correctly registered or not. Here is the procedure to do it.

1. At first, click on the Start button, then go to the Run option.
2. Then, type cmd.exe in the Run dialog box and click on OK.
3. After that, you will need to enter the commands which are mentioned below and press the Enter button after each of the commands. And also click on the OK button when the RegSvr32 dialog box appears for each command.

1st command: regsvr32 netshell.dll

2nd command: regsvr32 netcfgx.dll

3rd command: regsvr32 netman.dll

Now, restart your computer and check if the problem is resolved or not.

Solution 3: Check the Conflict Between the Third Party Device Drivers

If the above procedures do not work for you, then you should move on to the following method.

1. At first, you will need to click on the Start button which is located at the bottom of the left corner of your computer screen.
2. Then, click on All Programs. After that, you will need to click on the Windows Update option.
3. Thereafter, you have to click on the Custom Install option and choose the Select optional hardware update option.
4. Now, find out your adapter name, and then install the available hardware updates. If you did not find any new updates, then you can visit the official website of the manufacturer.
5. After completing the updating procedure, restart your computer. If the problem still appears on your system, then you should move on to the next solution.

Solution 4: Add a new Modem

You can get rid of the situation by adding a new modem temporarily to your system. The steps below will help you do so.

1. At first, click on the Start button which is located at the bottom of the left side on your computer screen.
2. Then, type control panel in the search box and click on the Control Panel option form the appearing list. This will help you to launch the Control Panel.
3. After that, click on the Switch to Classic View option that you can find on the left side of the Control Panel.
4. Then, double click on the Modem Option.
5. Now, click on the Modems, and after that, select the Add option, and then the Add Hardware Wizard will be open on your screen.
6. Thereafter, click on the ‘Don’t detect my modem I will select it from the list’, and then click on Next.
7. Once you are done with these steps, now choose a standard modem and click on the Next option.

Hope, this article has helped you to get rid of the problem with Windows 10 network adapter missing. If you have any more question regarding this topic, then you can leave a message on our comment section.