What updating your Ethernet driver does

Your Ethernet driver is the software that lets your operating system talk to your network card — the hardware that plugs into your wall jack or motherboard. When the driver is outdated, you might see slow speeds, dropped connections, or devices that won't connect at all. Updating it usually takes 10 to 20 minutes and often fixes these problems without calling your internet provider or replacing hardware.

The update process differs between Windows and Mac, and the steps depend on whether you know your network card's exact model. If you don't, Windows can usually find and install the right driver automatically. Mac typically handles this through system updates.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows can search for and install the correct driver automatically through Device Manager, which is faster than hunting for it yourself.
  • If automatic installation fails, you need to know your network card's model number, which you can find in Device Manager or your computer's manual.
  • Mac users should check System Settings > General > Software Update, since Ethernet drivers come bundled with macOS updates rather than separately.
  • After any driver update, restart your computer and test your connection speed to confirm the problem is actually solved.

Updating Ethernet driver on Windows: automatic method

The fastest route on Windows is to let the system find and install the driver for you. Open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting "Device Manager" from the menu. Look for "Network adapters" in the list and click the arrow next to it to expand the category.

Right-click on your network adapter (it will have "Ethernet" or "Network" in the name) and select "Update driver." Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software." Windows will connect to its driver database, find the version that matches your hardware, and install it. This usually takes two to five minutes. When it finishes, you'll see a confirmation message. Restart your computer before testing your connection.

If Windows says the driver is already up to date but you're still having connection problems, the issue may not be the driver itself — it could be your network settings, your router, or a hardware problem. In that case, move to the manual method below to rule out an older driver that Windows didn't recognize.

Updating Ethernet driver on Windows: manual method

Use this approach if automatic installation failed or if you want to install a specific driver version. First, identify your network card model. Open Device Manager again, expand "Network adapters," right-click your Ethernet adapter, and select "Properties." Click the "Details" tab and look for "Hardware IDs" in the dropdown menu. Copy the ID code — it will look something like PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1234.

Search that ID code online along with your computer's brand and model. This will usually take you to the manufacturer's support page. read the driver file to your computer — it will be a .exe file for Windows. Close Device Manager, run the installer, and follow the on-screen prompts. Most installers will automatically detect your hardware and install the matching driver. Restart your computer when the installer finishes.

If you can't find the driver using the hardware ID, try visiting your computer manufacturer's support website directly (Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.) and searching for your model number. Most provide a "Drivers & Downloads" section where you can filter by component type.

Updating Ethernet driver on Mac

Mac does not distribute Ethernet drivers separately the way Windows does. Instead, drivers are included in macOS system updates. To check for updates, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings." Click "General" in the sidebar, then click "Software Update."

If an update is available, click "Update Now" and let your Mac restart if prompted. The update process can take 15 to 45 minutes depending on the size and your internet speed. Once the update finishes and your Mac restarts, your Ethernet driver will be current.

If you're already on the latest macOS version and still have connection problems, the issue is likely not the driver. Check that your Ethernet cable is firmly connected to both your Mac and your router, and restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.

Testing your connection after the update

After updating and restarting, test whether the update actually solved your problem. Open a speed test website like Speedtest.net or Fast.com and run a test. Compare the results to what your internet plan promises — if you pay for 100 Mbps read speed, you should see numbers close to that.

Also check whether devices stay connected without dropping. If you were experiencing random disconnects before the update, leave your computer connected for at least an hour and watch for any interruptions. If the problems persist after a restart, the driver update probably wasn't the root cause.

What to do if the driver update doesn't fix the problem

If your connection is still slow or unstable after updating, try these steps in order. First, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in — this fixes most temporary connection issues. Second, check whether the problem happens on other devices connected to the same router. If other devices work fine, the problem is specific to your computer's network setup, not your internet service.

Third, try a different Ethernet cable if you have one available. Cables can wear out or get damaged, and a bad cable will cause the same symptoms as an outdated driver. If a different cable fixes the problem, replace the old one. If none of these steps work, contact your internet provider's support line and describe the problem — they can check whether the issue is on their end and may send a technician if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my Ethernet driver is outdated?

Open Device Manager on Windows and look for a yellow exclamation mark next to your network adapter — that means the driver is missing or corrupted. If there's no warning symbol but your connection is slow or drops frequently, the driver may be outdated. The only way to know for certain is to update it and see if the problem goes away.

Can I damage my computer by updating the driver?

No. If the update causes problems, you can roll back to the previous driver version. On Windows, right-click the network adapter in Device Manager, select "Properties," click the "Driver" tab, and click "Roll Back Driver" if that button is available. This restores the version you had before the update.

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

No. Windows and Mac both replace the old driver automatically when you install the new one. Uninstalling first is unnecessary and can actually cause problems by leaving your network adapter without any driver at all.

Why is my Ethernet connection still slow after updating the driver?

Driver updates fix connection drops and detection problems, but not slow speeds caused by network congestion, distance from your router, or your internet plan's actual speed limit. If other devices on your network get faster speeds, the problem is likely your computer's network settings or hardware, not the driver.

Should I update my driver if my connection is working fine?

Not necessarily. If your Ethernet connection is stable and fast, updating the driver carries minimal benefit and a small risk of introducing a new problem. Update only if you're experiencing issues or if your computer prompts you to do so.