Windows 10: Network adapter issue, not a driver issue.

After installing Windows 10 the wired Ethernet adapter is missing from the device manager. I found similar threads in the forum but most of the answers concern downloading of drivers for the adapter. My question is how do I download the adapter. One person said they had solved the issue by turning off and unplugging their pc for about 15 minutes. I use a laptop and doing this had no effect.

:)

 

shut down goes into restart mode instead of shutting down

shut down goes into restart mode instead of shutting down

 

Getting error message" ms-settings:network could not be registered" when connecting to network

Hi,

Did you make any changes to the computer prior to the issue?

Some of the things that you can perform to get the issue fixed are:

Update the network adapter driver.

Roll back the network adapter driver.

Uninstall the network adapter driver and restart.

Fix network connection issues

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/10741/windows-10-fix-network-connection-issues

Please revert if you face any issues with connecting to network.

Thank you.

 

Hello DavidT Welcome to the Ten Forums!

You don't download an adapter since that is either the onboard option(Lan, WiFi adapter) or a separate expansion card or "nic" card seen mostly on desktops. Have you looked under "Other devices" at all? The likely reason you would find it there is that the model in your system specs if the same only sees support as far as Windows 7 and not at least 8, 8.1 which is where you are running into the main problem.

Something else on the board however might be compatible with 10 and why you didn't simply end up seeing the "inccompatible with Windows 10" screen come up on you. Another HP laptop did see 8, 8.1 updates and was instantly connected online here when upgrading from the 32bit 7 Home Premium OEM to the 64bit 10 Home following the initial upgrade which was immediately followed by the 32bit 10 clean install before switching flavors.

Here's the fun part! Originally when first bringing the laptop to a full time care facility it connected to the web immediately for some time and then lost the web access while still connecting the private network hub at that location. Following the upgrade it still would not connect until I mentioned something to a staff member not one of the usual nurses or orderlies. The following week 10 was on the web suggesting that the WiFi router had been recycled. That is turning off or unplugging the router for so long at least a half minute and then it resyncs with the modem or if a combination WiFi modem to the ISP establishing first that device's IP and Mac address. When powering up on the subsequent visit the laptop immediately connected indicating 10 established it's own configuration automatically upon detection of the corrected WiFi signal coming in as it also detects other networks close by.

Likewise if you have your own service with WiFi capable modem or combination modem with router plugged in you may have to recycle power there while the laptop is turned off and allow the modem/router to re-establish the connection fresh and then wait to see if 10 will properly detect the network adapter if it hasn't already been connecting online since 10 first went on. Going into the "Control Panel>Network and internet>Network connections" as seen when opening up the Change adapter settings link in the left side column in the Network & Sharing Center you can temporarily disable and re-enabled the listings there as well as right click to see what the status is.

Here I have several items along with a new virtual network switch in use that wouldn't apply to your situation there along with having a separate nic card installed on the desktop. If you should happen to find an unspecified adapter in the Other devices while in the Device Manager again and choose to uninstall the item 10 may fully detect and install at least a working generic driver for you where it will finally show up under Network adapters.