WINDOW 11

How to fix Realtek Network Controller Not Found in Windows 11

5 SOLUTIONS
MARCH 01, 2025

Fix the "Realtek Network Controller Not Found" error in Windows 11 with five step-by-step solutions. Each method includes clear instructions and expert tips to quickly restore your connection.

Deepak Yadav
Deepak Yadav

Administrator Rights

Required for driver installations and system changes.

Backup

Create a restore point in case of unexpected issues.

Alternative Internet Access

A stable internet connection for driver updates

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Update/Reinstall Realtek Network Driver

5 STEPS EASY 2 MIN

1/5

METHOD
Method 1
Overview

For: Fixing connectivity issues caused by outdated or missing drivers.

Method 1 of 5
Next Method

Open Device Manager

Press Win + X → Select Device Manager.

Method 1 of 5
Step 1 of 5

Find Network Adapter

Expand Network adapters.

Method 1 of 5
Step 2 of 5

Update Driver

Right-click your Realtek Controller → Select Update driver → Choose Search automatically for drivers.

Method 1 of 5
Step 3 of 5

Scan for Missing Hardware

If the driver is missing, click Action (top menu) → Select Scan for hardware changes.

Method 1 of 5
Step 4 of 5

Uninstall & Restart

If updating doesn’t work, right-click the adapter → Select Uninstall device → Restart your PC.

Pro Tip: Disable Automatic Driver Download in Windows Update to prevent conflicting generic drivers.

Method 1 of 5
Step 5 of 5
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Enable Realtek Controller in BIOS/UEFI

4 STEPS EASY 2 MIN

2/5

METHOD
Method 2
Overview

For: Fixing cases where the Realtek network adapter is disabled at the firmware level.

Method 2 of 5
Next Method

Reboot & Enter BIOS

Restart your PC and repeatedly press F2, Del, or Esc (varies by manufacturer) to enter BIOS/UEFI.

Method 2 of 5
Step 1 of 4

Locate Network Settings

Navigate to Advanced or Integrated Peripherals.

Method 2 of 5
Step 2 of 4

Enable Realtek LAN

Find the option for Realtek LAN Controller and set it to Enabled.

Method 2 of 5
Step 3 of 4

Save & Exit

Press F10 to save changes and exit BIOS. Your PC will restart.

Pro Tip: Take a photo of your BIOS settings before making changes to easily revert if needed.

Method 2 of 5
Step 4 of 4
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Manually Install Driver from Realtek’s Website

3 STEPS EASY 2 MIN

3/5

METHOD
Method 3
Overview

For: Ensuring you have the latest official Realtek driver, avoiding Windows' generic versions.

Method 3 of 5
Next Method

Download the Latest Driver

Visit the Realtek official website and navigate to the Downloads section. Select the latest driver for Windows 11.

Method 3 of 5
Step 1 of 3

Run the Installer

Locate the downloaded file and double-click it. Follow the on-screen instructions to install.

Method 3 of 5
Step 2 of 3

Restart Your PC

Reboot to apply the new driver changes.

Warning: Always download the driver version that matches your motherboard model (check the manufacturer’s documentation for compatibility).

Method 3 of 5
Step 3 of 3
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Reset Network Stack via Command Prompt

3 STEPS EASY 2 MIN

4/5

METHOD
Method 4
Overview

For: Fixing network connectivity issues by resetting TCP/IP and Winsock settings.

Method 4 of 5
Next Method

Open Command Prompt

Press Win + R, type cmd, or press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to run as administrator.

Method 4 of 5
Step 1 of 3

Run Network Reset Commands

Type and execute these commands one by one: 

netsh winsock reset netsh int ip reset ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew

Method 4 of 5
Step 2 of 3

Restart Your PC

Reboot to apply the changes

Caution: Before resetting, back up your network settings using: netsh dump > backup.txt. This allows you to restore settings if needed.

Method 4 of 5
Step 3 of 3
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Run Network Adapter Troubleshooter

3 STEPS EASY 2 MIN

5/5

METHOD
Method 5
Overview

For: Diagnosing and fixing network adapter issues automatically.

Method 5 of 5

Open Settings

Press Win + I to open the Settings app.

Method 5 of 5
Step 1 of 3

Navigate to Troubleshoot

Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.

Method 5 of 5
Step 2 of 3

Run the Network Adapter Troubleshooter

Locate Network Adapter and click Run. Follow on-screen instructions.

Info: Click the "View detailed information" link in the troubleshooter to check error codes for further diagnosis.

Method 5 of 5
Step 3 of 3

Additional Quick Tips

Image

Check Hardware: Reseat Ethernet cables or internal network cards to ensure a proper connection.

Show Hidden Devices: In Device Manager, click View > Show hidden devices to find disabled adapters.

Windows Update: Install optional driver updates under Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options.

System Restore: Roll back to a restore point if the issue started after a recent update.

If all methods fail, contact your PC/motherboard manufacturer for firmware updates or hardware diagnostics.

Methods (5)

Update/Reinstall Re...
5 Steps
Enable Realtek Cont...
4 Steps
Manually Install Dr...
3 Steps
Reset Network Stack...
3 Steps
Run Network Adapter...
3 Steps

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