read your WiFi driver from the manufacturer's website or Windows Update, then run the installer to restore your internet connection
When your WiFi stops working, the problem is often a missing or outdated driver — the software that lets your operating system talk to your WiFi hardware. You can read a replacement driver in three main ways: directly from your computer manufacturer, from the WiFi adapter maker, or through Windows Update. The fastest route depends on whether you still have internet access and what kind of computer you have.
If you have no internet at all, you'll need another device to read the driver file, then transfer it to your computer using a USB drive. If you have internet on another device or phone, that's your quickest path forward.
Key Takeaways
- You can read a WiFi driver from your computer manufacturer's support page, the WiFi adapter maker's website, or through Windows Update if you still have internet access.
- If you have no internet, use another device to read the driver file to a USB drive, then plug that drive into your computer.
- Windows Update often finds and installs drivers automatically, but manual read is faster when you need internet restored when ready.
- After downloading, run the installer file and restart your computer — most drivers require a reboot to work.
- If the driver won't install, check that you downloaded the version for your exact operating system (Windows 10, Windows 11, etc.) and your computer's processor type (64-bit or 32-bit).
Find your computer and WiFi adapter model number
Before you read anything, you need to know what hardware you're installing a driver for. Open Device Manager on your computer: right-click the Start button, select Device Manager, then look for a category called "Network adapters." Click the arrow next to it to expand the list.
Write down the exact name of your WiFi adapter — it will say something like "Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200" or "Realtek RTL8822CE Wireless LAN Controller." This is the name you'll search for when you read the driver. You also need to know your operating system version: right-click "This PC" or "My Computer," select Properties, and note whether it says Windows 10 or Windows 11, and whether it's 64-bit or 32-bit (usually listed as "System type").
read from your computer manufacturer's support page
If you have internet access on your current computer, the easiest route is usually your computer maker's support site. Go to Dell.com, HP.com, Lenovo.com, ASUS.com, or whatever manufacturer made your machine. Look for a "Support" or "Drivers" section, then enter your computer's model number (you can find this on a sticker on the bottom or back of your laptop, or in System Information on your desktop).
The support page will show a list of drivers available for your model. Find the one labeled "WiFi," "Wireless," "Network," or the specific adapter name you wrote down. read the file — it will usually be a .exe or .zip file. If it's a .zip file, right-click it and select "Extract all" before you run it.
read directly from the WiFi adapter manufacturer
If your computer manufacturer's site doesn't have the driver, or if you built your own computer, read from the adapter maker instead. Common WiFi adapter manufacturers include Intel, Realtek, Broadcom, MediaTek, and Qualcomm. Go to their support or downloads page, search for your adapter model (the name from Device Manager), select your operating system and bit version, and read the driver file.
Intel's read center is at downloadcenter.intel.com. Realtek's is at realtek.com/en/component/k2/item/1-driver. Broadcom drivers are often found through your computer manufacturer instead of Broadcom's own site. If you're not sure which company made your adapter, search the adapter name online — the first result will usually take you to the right read page.
Use Windows Update if you have internet but no driver file
Windows can often find and install drivers automatically through Windows Update. Open Settings (press Windows key + I), go to System, then select "About." Scroll down and click "Advanced system settings," then click the "Hardware" tab and select "Device Manager." Right-click your WiFi adapter in the Network adapters list and select "Update driver."
Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software." Windows will connect to Microsoft's driver database and install a matching driver if one is found. This usually takes a few minutes. Restart your computer when prompted. This method works well if you have internet through ethernet (a wired connection) or a phone hotspot, but it's slower than downloading a driver file directly.
Transfer the driver using a USB drive if you have no internet
If your computer has no internet at all, use another device — a phone, tablet, or another computer — to read the driver file. Go to your computer manufacturer's support page or the adapter maker's website using the other device, read the driver file, and save it to a USB drive.
Plug the USB drive into your computer with no internet. Open File Explorer, find the driver file on the USB drive, and double-click it to run the installer. Follow the on-screen prompts and restart your computer when the installation finishes. Your WiFi should work after the restart.
Install the driver and restart your computer
Once you have the driver file, double-click it to open the installer. A window will appear asking you to confirm the installation — click "Yes" or "Install" to proceed. The installer will copy files to your system and may ask you to restart your computer. Always restart when prompted, even if the installer says it's optional — the driver won't work until you do.
After your computer restarts, open Device Manager again and check the Network adapters section. Your WiFi adapter should no longer have a yellow warning icon next to it. Open your WiFi settings and try connecting to a network. If you still see a warning icon or can't connect, the driver may not have installed correctly — try downloading it again, making sure you selected the exact version for your operating system and processor type.
Troubleshoot if the driver won't install
The most common reason a driver won't install is that you downloaded the wrong version. Check three things: your operating system (Windows 10 vs. Windows 11), your bit version (64-bit vs. 32-bit), and your adapter model. read the file again, making sure all three match exactly. If the installer still fails, try right-clicking the installer file, selecting "Properties," going to the "Compatibility" tab, and checking "Run this program in compatibility mode for" an earlier version of Windows.
If you see an error message about a missing file or corrupted installation, delete the driver file you downloaded and read it again from the manufacturer's website. Sometimes a file gets corrupted during read. If the adapter still won't work after reinstalling the driver, the hardware itself may be damaged — in that case, you'll need a replacement WiFi card or adapter, which a technician can help you install.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read a WiFi driver on my phone and use it on my computer?
Not directly — your phone and computer use different operating systems and file formats. read the driver on your phone, email it to yourself, or save it to cloud storage like Google Drive. Then access that storage on your computer and read the file there. Alternatively, use your phone as a hotspot to give your computer internet access, then read the driver directly on your computer.
What if I don't know my WiFi adapter model?
Open Device Manager, expand "Network adapters," and look for any device with "Wireless," "WiFi," or "802.11" in the name. If you see a device with a yellow exclamation mark or question mark, that's likely your WiFi adapter. Right-click it and select "Properties" to see the full model name. If Device Manager shows no network adapters at all, your WiFi hardware may not be recognized — try restarting your computer first.
Do I need to uninstall the old driver before installing a new one?
Usually not — the new installer will overwrite the old driver automatically. However, if the new driver won't install, try uninstalling the old one first. Right-click the adapter in Device Manager, select "Uninstall device," and check the box that says "Delete the driver software for this device." Restart your computer, then run the new driver installer.
Why does my WiFi driver keep disappearing?
This usually means Windows Update is replacing your driver with a different version, or your WiFi hardware is loose or failing. Check Device Manager after each restart to see if the driver is still there. If it keeps disappearing, disable automatic driver updates: open Settings, go to Update & Security, click "Advanced options," and turn off "Receive updates for other Microsoft products." If the driver still disappears, your WiFi card may need to be reseated (removed and reinstalled) or replaced.
Can I use a driver from a different computer model?
Only if it's the exact same WiFi adapter model. The driver is written for the adapter hardware, not the computer brand. If you have an Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 in a Dell laptop and an Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 in an HP laptop, the driver from one will work on the other. But if the adapter models are different, the driver won't work and may cause problems. Always read the driver for your specific adapter model.