How to Install a Network Card Driver on Windows and Mac

What a network card driver does and why you need it

A network card driver is software that lets your operating system talk to your network hardware — whether that's built into your motherboard, a USB adapter, or a separate card. Without it, your computer sees the hardware but cannot use it. You will see no network connection option, or the connection will fail to work even though the cable is plugged in or the Wi-Fi radio is on.

Most computers ship with drivers already installed. You need to install or update a driver when you add new hardware, when Windows or macOS stops recognizing your network, or when you move to a new operating system version and the old driver no longer works.

The installation process differs between Windows and Mac, and between built-in hardware and add-on cards. This guide walks through each path so you can identify which one matches your situation.

Key Takeaways

Windows usually finds and installs network drivers automatically through Windows Update, but you may need to read one manually from the manufacturer's website if automatic installation fails.
On Mac, network drivers for built-in hardware are part of the operating system; third-party USB adapters may need a separate driver read.
Before installing, identify your exact network card model using Device Manager on Windows or System Report on Mac so you read the correct driver.
If you have no internet connection, you will need a second computer or phone to read the driver file and transfer it via USB.
After installation, restart your computer and check Device Manager or System Report to confirm the driver loaded without errors.

Identifying your network card model

You cannot read the right driver without knowing exactly what hardware you have. The process differs between Windows and Mac.

On Windows: Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager. Look for "Network adapters" in the list and click the arrow to expand it. You will see your network card listed by brand and model — for example, "Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411" or "Intel Ethernet Connection I219-V". Write down this exact name. If you see a yellow exclamation mark next to it, the driver is missing or corrupted.

On Mac: Click the Apple menu, select About This Mac, then click System Report. In the left sidebar, select Network. Click each connection type (Ethernet, Wi-Fi) to see the hardware model. For built-in hardware, the model name appears under "Model Identifier". For USB adapters, it will show the manufacturer name and model number.

Installing drivers on Windows through Windows Update

Windows 10 and Windows 11 check for missing drivers automatically and read them from Windows Update. This is the fastest route if your internet connection is working through another device or if you can temporarily use a wired connection.

Open Device Manager (right-click Start, select Device Manager). If your network adapter shows a yellow exclamation mark, right-click it and select "Update driver". Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software". Windows will connect to Windows Update, find the driver, and install it. This usually takes two to five minutes.

After installation finishes, restart your computer. Open Device Manager again and confirm the yellow mark is gone and the adapter name appears without any warning symbol.

If Windows Update does not find a driver, or if you have no internet connection at all, move to the manual read method below.

Downloading and installing a driver manually on Windows

If Windows Update fails or you have no internet, you will read the driver file on a different computer and transfer it to your machine via USB drive.

On a computer with internet access, open a web browser and go to the manufacturer's support website. Common network card makers are Realtek, Intel, Broadcom, Qualcomm, and MediaTek. Search for your exact model number (the one you found in Device Manager) plus the word "driver". read the Windows driver file — it will be a .exe file or a .zip file containing an .exe.

Copy the file to a USB drive. Plug the USB drive into your computer, open File Explorer, and navigate to the USB drive. Double-click the .exe file to run the installer. Follow the on-screen prompts — most installers ask you to accept a license agreement and choose an installation folder, then install automatically. When the installer finishes, restart your computer.

If the file is a .zip, extract it first (right-click, select "Extract All") and look inside for a file named setup.exe or install.exe, then run that.

Installing drivers on Mac for built-in and USB network hardware

Mac operating systems include drivers for all built-in network hardware as part of the system software. If your built-in Ethernet or Wi-Fi stopped working, the problem is usually not a missing driver — it is a hardware failure, a system setting, or a corrupted system file, not a driver you can install.

For USB network adapters (external Ethernet adapters, USB Wi-Fi cards), check the manufacturer's website. Search for your exact model number plus "Mac driver" or "macOS driver". read the .dmg file. Double-click it to mount the disk image, then double-click the installer inside. Follow the prompts and restart your Mac when finished.

If the manufacturer offers no Mac driver, the adapter may not be compatible with your macOS version. Check the product page to confirm which macOS versions it supports.

Troubleshooting when the driver will not install or work

If you install the driver but still see no network connection, or if the installation fails partway through, try these steps in order.

On Windows: Restart your computer first — many driver issues resolve after a restart. Open Device Manager again and look for the network adapter. If it still shows a yellow mark, right-click it and select "Uninstall device". Restart again. Windows will re-detect the hardware and attempt to install the driver fresh. If that fails, read the driver manually using the method above.

If the driver installs but you still have no connection, open Device Manager, right-click the network adapter, and select Properties. Click the Driver tab and note the driver version and date. Compare it to the version on the manufacturer's website — if yours is older, read the newest version and install it.

On Mac: Restart your Mac. If the USB adapter still does not work, unplug it, restart again, then plug it back in. Open System Report and check Network again to see if it now appears. If the adapter is listed but shows "Not Connected", try unplugging and replugging the USB cable. If it still fails, the adapter may not be compatible with your macOS version — check the manufacturer's website for the supported versions.

What to do if you cannot find a driver for your network card

Older network cards sometimes have no driver available for current Windows or macOS versions. Manufacturers stop supporting hardware after five to ten years, and drivers for very old cards may not work on Windows 11 or the latest macOS.

If the manufacturer's website has no driver for your operating system, your options are to use an older operating system version that the card does support, or to replace the network card with a newer model. USB network adapters are inexpensive (usually $15 to $40) and most modern adapters have drivers for Windows 10, Windows 11, and recent macOS versions.

Before buying a replacement, confirm on the product page that it lists your operating system as supported. Look for phrases like "Windows 10/11 compatible" or "macOS 12 and later".

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to uninstall the old driver before installing a new one?

On Windows, the installer usually replaces the old driver automatically — you do not need to uninstall first. On Mac, the same applies. If the new installation fails, then uninstall the old driver through Device Manager (Windows) or by deleting the driver files from Library/Extensions (Mac), restart, and try installing again.

My network card is not showing up in Device Manager at all. What does that mean?

The hardware may not be detected by the operating system, which usually means a hardware failure, a loose connection (if it is a card in a slot), or a BIOS setting that disables it. Check that any internal card is seated firmly in its slot. Restart your computer. If it still does not appear, the card may be faulty and need replacement.

Can I install a network driver without restarting?

Some drivers load without a restart, but most network drivers require a restart to fully set up. Always restart after installation to may support the driver is working correctly.

What if the driver installer says my operating system is not supported?

The network card is too old for your current Windows or macOS version. You can try an older driver version from the manufacturer's archive (usually found on their support page under "Legacy drivers"), but it may not work. The safest option is to replace the card with one that supports your operating system.

How do I know if the driver installed correctly?

Open Device Manager on Windows or System Report on Mac and look at your network adapter. It should show no warning symbols, no error codes, and the driver version should match the one you just installed. Try connecting to the internet — if the connection works, the driver is installed correctly.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.