After that, right click the network and choose 'Enable'. If the Ethernet connection is not working, you can disable and enable the Ethernet network in the similar steps. Press Win+R and enter devmgmt.msc. In Device Manager window, click Network adapters.
- Fix: Network Adapter ‘this device cannot start. (code 10)’ If the issue is with your Computer or a Laptop you should try using Restoro which can scan the repositories and replace corrupt and missing files. This works in most cases, where the issue is originated due to a system corruption.
- Here’s how: Check in the taskbar. Select action center (or). If you don’t see Bluetooth, select Expand to reveal Bluetooth, then select Bluetooth to turn it on.
- Map a network drive to get to it from File Explorer in Windows without having to look for it or type its network address each time. Open File Explorer from the taskbar or the Start menu, or press the Windows logo key + E. Select This PC from the left pane. Then, on the Computer tab, select Map network drive.
- The “Windows can’t connect to this network” issue basically paralyzes you as it won’t let you connect to the Internet, and that means you can’t access your sites, emails, and anything else that requires an active Internet connection.
Nobody appreciates it when the internet stops working out of the blue on their PC. Sadly, many of us have faced the issue due to the mischievous network adapter. The network adapter either disappears from the Device Manager or one gets a notification that network adapter is missing. Since the adapter is missing, one is unable to connect to the internet.
The reasons behind that could be many, but the most obvious one is any recent software fidgeting with it. It's quite possible that a malware is disrupting your computer — that's the worst-case scenario.
Don’t worry. Once the network adapter is back, you will be able to use the internet without any issue. But for that, you need to first solve the issue of network adapter.
That’s what we will help you with. In this post, you will find 13 ways to fix the network adapter driver missing issue on Windows 10.
Let’s check the solutions.
1. Restart Your PC
If there’s a magical cure in the world of technology, it is restarting the device. Reboot your Windows 10 device to check if the adapter is back in action.
2. Put Laptop in Sleep Mode
Some users have suggested that putting the laptop in the sleep mode by closing its lid for some time also solves the no network adapter issue.
3. Remove Power Cable
Another way to solve the issue is to go powerless for a while. That is turn off your PC and unplug the power cord from it. Wait for at least 10 seconds. Then re-plug the power cord and turn on the device.
4. Remove Battery
Removing the battery forces the motherboard of your laptop to soft reset its settings, thus solving any issues. If your laptop supports a removable battery, turn it off first. Then remove the battery cover and take the battery out for a few seconds. Insert it again and power on your laptop. Hopefully, the network adapter will be back.
5. Troubleshoot Network Issue
Windows 10 provides a competent troubleshooter that is known to fix various issues. Here we will take the help of the dedicated troubleshooter for network adapters.
Follow these steps to initiate the troubleshooting process:
Step 1: Open Settings from the Start Menu or press Windows key + I.
Step 2: Click on Update & Security.
Step 3: Select Troubleshoot from the left sidebar. Scroll down and click on Network Adapter followed by Run the troubleshooter. Follow the on-screen instructions to start the process.
Pro Tip: Type troubleshoot in the Windows search to directly open the Troubleshoot screen.Also on Guiding Tech
How to Prioritize Wi-Fi Networks on Your Android Phone
Read More6. Update Network Drive
If the network adapter is visible in the Device Manager, you can also try updating it. Sometimes, the issue is due to a bug in the driver version installed on your system. So, updating it can fix the network adapter missing issue.
To fix it, follow these steps:
Step 1: Right-click on the Start Menu icon and select Device Manager from it. Alternatively, press Windows key + R. Type devmgmt.msc and hit enter.
Step 2: Click on the small down arrow present next to Network adapters. Right-click on your network adapter. It’s usually from Realtek/Broadcom or has wireless written next to it. Select Update driver. Complete the process and restart your computer.
7. Uninstall or Rollback Adapter
If updating the driver didn’t fix the issue, try rolling back to a previous version or uninstalling it. Start by rolling back. If you uninstall it, your system will install the driver automatically after a restart.
To uninstall, follow the steps mentioned in enabling the driver. However, after right-clicking on the driver, choose Uninstall device.
To roll back, click on Properties after right-clicking on the driver. Under Properties, go to the Driver tab and click on Roll Back Driver. Restart your system.
8. Enable Driver
Sometimes, the driver is disabled and that’s why you cannot connect to the internet. To fix it, you need to enable the driver.
For that, open Device Manager as shown above. Then right-click on your network driver under Network adapters and select Enable driver.
9. Install Driver
In case the driver isn’t visible under Network adapters, you will find it under Other devices or Unknown devices. It will have a yellow icon next to it. Right-click on the driver and select Update driver from the list. Restart your device.
Also on Guiding Tech
#internet
Click here to see our internet articles page10. Show Hidden Drivers in Device Manager
If the network adapter doesn’t appear even after following the fixes mentioned above, it might be hidden.
To make it visible, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Device Manager by right-clicking on the Start Menu icon.
Step 2: In the Device Manager, click on the View option in the toolbar at the top and select Show hidden devices.
Step 3: Click on the Action option and select Scan for hardware changes.
Step 4: If the adapter appears listed under Unknown devices, update it.
11. Check Physical Network Buttons
Make sure airplane mode is turned off on your system. Also, check for a physical button for Wi-Fi, use it to enable Wi-Fi.
12. Disable VPN and Antivirus
If you use VPN on your computer, try disabling or uninstalling it for a while. Then restart your PC.
Similarly, either disable the antivirus or check if an update is available. At times, even the antivirus requires a restart.
13. Reset Network Settings
Lastly, if nothing works, reset network settings. Doing that will revert all the network settings to their default values. Don’t worry, it will not hamper your data.
To reset network, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Settings on your PC.
Tip: Use the shortcut Windows key + I to open SettingsStep 2: Click on Network and Internet.
Step 3: Scroll down on the Status screen and click on Network reset.
Step 4: Confirm your decision by clicking on Reset now.
Also on Guiding Tech
2 Excellent Software to Monitor Your Internet Usage in Windows
Read MoreIs Your Windows Updated?
We hope the above solutions would have brought back the network adapter on your PC. In case it persists, we would suggest you check Windows update service too. Sometimes, there is a mismatch between the network adapter and the current Windows version. Do look for an available update under Settings > Update and Security.
Next up: Once the internet connectivity is back, track its speed with a speed monitor tool in the taskbar. Learn how to use the tool by adding it to the status bar of Windows 10.
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.Read NextHow to Display Internet Speed on Taskbar in WindowsAlso See#network #troubleshooting
Did You Know
Windows 10 is the last Windows since Microsoft is changing the approach of building and delivering OS.
More in Windows
Top 4 Ways to Fix Netflix T1 Error on Windows 10
To fix the problem of a mapped network drive or a network drive not showing, you can try to modify UAC in Windows Regedit, change the network proxy settings, or turn Windows SMB features on. While for network drive files and folders not showing, you need to unhide items as instructed. Since network drive data recovery can only reply on a backup, it's time to consider a regular backup of network drive files with an automatic backup plan.
Follow the quick tutorial that has SOLVED 'Network drive not showing'. Roll down to the complete solutions.
Workable Solutions | Step-by-step Troubleshooting |
---|---|
Fix 1. Not Showing in File Explorer | Click Start, type regedit in the Start programs and files box, and then press ENTER. Locate and then right-click the registry subkey. Then, point to New, and then click DWORD Value...Full steps |
Fix 2. Not showing all files/folders | If the files, folders or subfolders are hidden, users won't see them all. You can manually display hidden files and folders: open File Explorer -> click on View tab -> check the box in front of 'Hidden items' ...Full steps |
Case 1 - from superuser.com
Why isn't File Explorer showing my mapped drives?
'I'm using Windows 10 Pro 64-bit. My application maps a folder from D drive to a network drive Z using the Windows Network APT. When I opened File Explorer, I couldn't see the Z drive. Why and how to solve this issue of mapped drives not showing up straight away after being mapped?'
Windows Cannot Start Mapping On The Adapter
Case 2 - from community.spiceworks.com
Mapped network drive not showing all files/folders for user
'I have several mapped network drives, and all of them are fine except one. The one is only showing a part of the actual content of the folder. There are probably 15 folders on this network drive, yet I see only one. What's the problem? I need your advice.'
Overview of Mapped Network Not Showing in Windows 10/8/7
Do you feel helpless when drive mapping is correctly done, however, mapped drive not showing up in File Explorer, My Computer or Application? Or, not all contents including files, folders, and subfolders are normally showing in the mapped network drive, just like the user stories in the beginning.
Luckily, for you, here, we found some general troubleshooting methods that proved to be useful in fixing those commonly seen drive mapping problems on Windows computers. I hope at least one works in your case.
Solution 1. Mapped Network Drive Not Showing in File Explorer/My Computer
Because of the UAC, and the Shell runs with standard user permissions, it can't see mapped drives which were configured by your application running with admin rights. So, try the following workaround step by step:
- Click Start, type regedit in the Start programs and files box, and then press ENTER.
- Locate and then right-click the registry subkey HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesSystem.
- Point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
- Type EnableLinkedConnections, and then press ENTER.
- Right-click EnableLinkedConnections, and then click Modify.
- In the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.
- Exit Registry Editor, and restart the computer.
- Tip
- An explanation for value 1: This policy enables the 'administrator in Admin Approval Mode' user type while also enabling all other User Account Control (UAC) policies.
![Connected Connected](/uploads/1/1/7/9/117943638/435162356.png)
Next, there are another two workarounds that are supposed to track a network drive connection and help Windows recognize it, making it appear in the network drive location.
- In Windows 10, for example, you should first navigate to the Settings > Network & Internet.
- In Status, click 'Change adapter options'.
- Right-click on the Ethernet and choose 'Properties'.
- Under Networking, choose 'Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and again click Properties.
- Just make sure you're currently in 'Obtain an IP address automatically' and 'Obtain DNS server address automatically'.
Now we shall move on to the primary steps.
- Return to the Status, go down to select 'Sharing options'.
- Expand the Privacy, and you need to make sure that the Network discovery section is turned on. If it's not, click 'Turn on network discovery' as well as the sub-option 'Turn on automatic setup of network connect devices'.
- Once done that, click 'Save changes'.
The last resort you must give a try is with the other hidden settings in the Windows Programs and Settings.
- In windows 10, for example, directly 'programs and features' in the search box so you can find the program. Click in.
- On the left pane select 'Turn Windows features on or off'. Then you'll open a mini window where all Windows features are demonstrated there.
- Scroll down to find the features that started with SMB. You need to make sure that all SMB folders were checked here. Click 'OK'.
Windows might ask you for a reboot so that the changes can take effect. Wait patiently until the Windows starts again.
Solution 2. Mapped Network Drive Not Showing All Files/Folders
Files, folders or subfolders were hidden, which will prevent users from seeing them all. It's because files and folders were hidden on the NAS drives, including mapped network drive and network drive so that they are not showing normally. We offer solutions to un-hide items in Windows 10, 8 and 7 respectively.
Manually display hidden files and folders
In Windows 10/8.1/8:
- Open File Explorer -> click on View tab -> check the box in front of 'Hidden items'.
In Windows 7:
- Open File Explorer -> click on Organize tab -> select Folder and search options and open it.
- Click the View tab -> select 'Show hidden files, folders and drives' under Hidden files and folders -> click OK.
All hidden files and folders will immediately appear on the mapped network drive.
Windows Cannot Start Mapping On The Adapter Not Connected Router
How to Recover Data from Not Showing (Mapped) Network Drives
It's not a problem for online data recovery software to recover hidden files or restore lost data from conventional data storage devices, such as a local HDD, a removable USB flash drive or SD card. But network data recovery can only reply on a backup, there is basically no data recovery program in the market that could search the lost files and folders located on the NAS drive, cloud drive, mapped network drive or network drive. It's time to consider a regular backup of network drives with some dependable, fast and efficient backup programs, in case one day you'll need the backup for disaster recovery.
EaseUS Todo Backup is recommended as the top-notch free network backup software for home or business users, with significantly advanced features embedded, including full/incremental/differential backup plans, and the ability to save the network drive backups to cloud drives as well.
Step 1. Launch and run EaseUS Todo Backup on your PC and click 'File' on the main window.
Step 2. Click 'Network' and select the network drives or devices that you want to back up files from.
Step 3. Enter your credentials to connect the selected network hard drive and access the saved files there.
Windows Cannot Start Mapping On The Adapter Not Connected Across
Step 4. After this, choose the destination where you want to save the backup images from network hard drive and click 'Proceed' to complete.