How To Fix USB WiFi Adapter Not Working In Windows - Tutorial, by GuideRealm on YouTube. 3 min 26 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 26 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Unplug the adapter and plug it back into a different USB port. Use a port directly on the PC or laptop, not a hub or extension cable.
Press Windows + X and open Device Manager. Expand Network adapters and look for your Wi-Fi adapter, or an entry marked with a yellow warning triangle.
Right-click the adapter and choose Update driver, then Search automatically for drivers. Windows looks for a newer driver and installs it.
If nothing is found, right-click the adapter and pick Uninstall device, then restart the PC. Windows reinstalls a clean driver on the next boot.
Download the latest driver from the maker's site, such as TP-Link or Realtek, for your exact model and Windows version. Install it and restart.
If the adapter is missing from Device Manager, click View and tick Show hidden devices. Also check Universal Serial Bus controllers for unknown devices.
Open Settings, then System, Troubleshoot, Other troubleshooters, and run Network and Internet. Apply any fix it suggests.
In Power Options, open Change plan settings, then Advanced settings, and set USB selective suspend to Disabled. Restart and test the connection.
Plug the adapter into another computer to test it. If it is not detected there either, the adapter itself is likely faulty.
Tips and common mistakes
Avoid USB hubs, keyboard passthrough ports and front-panel ports, which often cannot supply enough power for a Wi-Fi adapter.
Get drivers only from the manufacturer's website, not from driver bundle or download sites.
If the adapter shows in Device Manager but finds no networks, open ncpa.cpl, right-click the adapter and choose Enable.
Always restart after a driver install so the old driver is fully cleared from memory.
Questions
Why does my USB Wi-Fi adapter appear but show no networks?
The driver is probably loaded but the adapter is disabled or stuck. Open Network connections with ncpa.cpl, right-click the adapter, choose Disable and then Enable, and rescan for networks.
Do I need to restart after installing the driver?
Yes in most cases. A restart clears the old driver from memory and lets Windows load the new one properly.
Can a USB 2.0 port slow down my adapter?
Yes. A USB 3.0 adapter plugged into a USB 2.0 port drops to slower speeds, so use a USB 3.0 port where you have one.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
