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

Expert, Head of Windows Circle

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

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For: Fixing connectivity issues caused by outdated or missing drivers.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

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

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

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

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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