Ethernet not showing in Device Manager on Windows? Here are the real causes and 10 proven fixes to restore your network adapter and get your connection working.

Seeing Ethernet not showing in Device Manager Windows can be frustrating—especially when you need a stable wired connection for work, gaming, or downloads. The adapter disappears completely, your PC only shows Wi-Fi, and nothing seems to work.

Don’t worry. This issue is very common, and the good news is that it can be fixed at home—even if you’re not a tech expert. In this guide, I’ll walk you through quick solutions, causes, and step-by-step fixes that actually work.

Quick Fix (For Fast Readers)

Try these before anything else:

• Restart your PC
• Unplug and reconnect the Ethernet cable
• Try another port on the router
• Enable Ethernet from BIOS (if recently reset)
• Run Network Reset: Settings → Network & Internet → Advanced network settings → Network reset

If Ethernet still doesn’t show in Device Manager, follow the full fixes below.

Why Ethernet Is Not Showing in Device Manager (Common Causes)

Here are the most common reasons:

1. Disabled network adapter in BIOS

Sometimes BIOS resets can disable onboard LAN.

2. Corrupted or outdated Ethernet drivers

Windows Update or power outages may break driver files.

3. Hardware-level LAN failure

A chipset issue or port damage can hide the adapter.

4. Incorrect power settings

Windows may “power off” the network controller to save energy.

5. Faulty Ethernet cable or port

If hardware connectivity fails, Windows may not detect the LAN adapter.

6. Disabled device in Device Manager

It may be hidden or disabled.

7. Missing chipset drivers

Without chipset drivers, LAN hardware cannot load.

10 Proven Fixes for Ethernet Not Showing in Device Manager Windows

Fix 1: Show Hidden Devices

Windows may simply be hiding the adapter.

1. Press Windows + R
2. Type: devmgmt.msc
3. Click View
4. Select Show hidden devices
5. Expand Network adapters

If you see a faint or greyed-out Ethernet device, right-click → Enable.

Fix 2: Scan for Hardware Changes

1. Open Device Manager
2. Click Action
3. Select Scan for hardware changes

If the adapter appears, install/update its driver immediately.

Fix 3: Install the Latest LAN Driver From Manufacturer

If Windows cannot detect the adapter, the OEM driver often fixes it.

For most PCs:

• Intel LAN → Search: Intel Ethernet Adapter driver
• Realtek LAN → Search: Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller driver
• Killer/Qualcomm → Official website

For laptops:

Go to your brand website:

• Dell
• HP
• Lenovo
• Asus
• Acer
• MSI

Download and install:

LAN driver + Chipset driver

Restart your PC afterward.

Fix 4: Enable Ethernet in BIOS/UEFI

Sometimes the LAN controller gets turned off. Here’s how to check:

1. Restart your PC
2. Press F2 / F10 / F12 / Delete to open BIOS
3. Look for:
   • Onboard LAN
   • Integrated NIC
   • Ethernet Controller
4. Make sure it is Enabled

Save and restart.

Fix 5: Reset Network Settings

Windows network settings may be corrupted.

1. Go to Settings
2. Select Network & Internet
3. Scroll to Advanced network settings
4. Click Network Reset
5. Hit Reset Now

Your PC will restart and reinstall network adapters automatically.

Fix 6: Reinstall All Network Drivers Using Command Prompt

If drivers are broken, this command rebuilds them.

Open CMD as Administrator and run:

netcfg -d

Then restart your PC.

This command resets adapters and reinstalls the Ethernet driver.

Fix 7: Update Windows + Optional Driver Updates

1. Go to Settings → Windows Update
2. Install all pending updates
3. Click Advanced options
4. Open Optional updates → Driver updates

If you see any Ethernet or network drivers, install them.

Fix 8: Disable Power Management for Network Devices

1. Open Device Manager
2. Expand Network adapters
3. Right-click your Wi-Fi or any present network device
4. Go to Power Management
5. Uncheck:
   • Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power

This prevents Windows from disabling LAN hardware.

Fix 9: Install Motherboard Chipset Drivers (PC Only)

Missing chipset drivers = Missing Ethernet adapter.

Download chipset drivers from:

• AMD
• Intel
• Motherboard brand website (Asus, MSI, Gigabyte, ASRock)

Install the chipset package and restart.

Fix 10: Test Ethernet Cable, Router Port, or USB LAN Adapter

If nothing works, hardware might be the issue.

Try these:

• Use a different Ethernet cable
• Use a different LAN port on the router
• Test Ethernet on another PC
• Try a USB-to-Ethernet adapter (temporary but effective)

If the USB adapter works, the onboard LAN may be dead.

Advanced Fixes

These are optional but helpful if the issue is still unresolved.

Fix A: Reset BIOS to Default

1. Enter BIOS
2. Select Load Setup Defaults
3. Save & Exit

Fix B: Run System File Repair

Open CMD as administrator and run:

sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Restart after completion.

Fix C: Check for IRQ Conflicts (Rare)

1. Open Device Manager
2. Enable Resources by type
3. Look for conflicts with network controllers

If found, reinstall drivers or reset BIOS.

Table: Quick Overview of Fixes

FAQs

1. Why is my Ethernet adapter missing from Device Manager?

Usually because it’s disabled in BIOS, driver files are corrupted, or Windows cannot detect the hardware.

2. Can a faulty cable make Ethernet disappear in Device Manager?

Yes. If the cable or port is fully dead, Windows may fail to register the adapter.

3. Does reinstalling Windows fix the issue?

Sometimes, but unnecessary. Try driver and BIOS fixes first.

4. What if my motherboard LAN port is damaged?

Use a USB-to-Ethernet adapter or a PCIe LAN card.

5. Why is Wi-Fi working but Ethernet missing?

Because Wi-Fi uses a different network controller. Only the LAN controller is affected.