Windows 11 Ethernet drivers update through Device Manager, Windows Update, or directly from your network card manufacturer

Your Ethernet driver is the software that lets Windows 11 communicate with your network card. When it becomes outdated, you may see slow speeds, dropped connections, or devices that won't connect at all. You can update it yourself in three ways: let Windows Update handle it automatically, use Device Manager to check for updates, or read the latest version directly from your card's manufacturer. Most people find the Device Manager route fastest because you see the result when ready.

Before you start, know that your internet connection may drop briefly during the update. If you are working on something important, save it first. You do not need to restart your computer for most Ethernet driver updates, though Windows may ask you to.

Key Takeaways

  • Device Manager is the quickest way to update an Ethernet driver — open it, find your network adapter, right-click it, and select "Update driver".
  • Windows Update can find and install driver updates automatically if you go to Settings > System > Windows Update and check for updates.
  • If neither Device Manager nor Windows Update finds a newer driver, visit your network card manufacturer's website and read the driver for Windows 11 directly.
  • You will need to know your network card model to read from the manufacturer — Device Manager shows this under the network adapter name.
  • Your internet connection may drop for a few seconds during the update, so close any downloads or streaming before you begin.

Update Your Ethernet Driver Through Device Manager

Device Manager is built into Windows 11 and shows you every hardware device connected to your computer. Open it by right-clicking the Start button and selecting "Device Manager," or by typing "Device Manager" into the search box and pressing Enter.

Once Device Manager opens, look for "Network adapters" in the list and click the arrow next to it to expand the section. You will see your Ethernet adapter listed — it usually has a name like "Realtek Ethernet Controller" or "Intel Ethernet Connection." Right-click on it and select "Update driver" from the menu that appears.

A window will open asking how you want to search for the driver. Select "Search automatically for updated driver software." Windows will check online for a newer version. If one exists, it will read and install it. If your driver is already current, Windows will tell you so. Either way, close the window when it finishes.

Let Windows Update Check for Driver Updates

Windows 11 can find and install driver updates on its own. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click "System" in the left sidebar. Select "Windows Update" and click "Check for updates."

Windows will scan for any available updates, including driver updates. If a newer Ethernet driver is found, it will appear in the list. Click "read and install" to proceed. Your computer may restart to complete the installation — Windows will warn you before this happens and give you time to save your work.

This method is the most hands-off, but it can take longer because Windows Update checks for all system updates at once, not just drivers. If you need the update quickly, Device Manager is faster.

read the Driver Directly From Your Manufacturer

If Device Manager and Windows Update both say your driver is current but you are still having connection problems, or if you want the absolute latest version, read it directly from your network card maker. First, you need to know which card you have. Open Device Manager again, expand "Network adapters," and note the exact name of your Ethernet adapter.

Go to the manufacturer's website — common ones are Realtek, Intel, Broadcom, and NVIDIA. Look for a "Support" or "Downloads" section. Enter your network card model and select Windows 11 as the operating system. read the driver file to your computer.

Once downloaded, open the file and follow the installer's instructions. The installer will guide you through the steps. When it finishes, restart your computer. Your new driver will be active after the restart.

What to Do If Your Internet Drops During the Update

Your Ethernet connection will disconnect for a few seconds while the driver installs. This is normal. If you are using a wired Ethernet connection, your computer will reconnect automatically once the driver is installed. If you are on WiFi and need internet during the update, switch to WiFi before you start, then switch back to Ethernet afterward.

If your connection does not come back after five minutes, restart your computer. Open Device Manager again and check whether the driver shows an error symbol (a yellow triangle or red X). If it does, the installation may have failed. Try the update again, or contact your network card manufacturer's support team with the model number and the error message you see.

How to Check Your Current Driver Version

You can see which driver version you have installed right now. Open Device Manager, expand "Network adapters," right-click your Ethernet adapter, and select "Properties." Click the "Driver" tab. The "Driver Version" field shows the version number currently installed. Write this down before you update so you can confirm the new version is actually newer.

You can also check the manufacturer's website to see what the latest version is. Compare the two numbers — the newer one will have a higher version number. If your current version matches the latest one on the manufacturer's site, you do not need to update.

Troubleshooting When the Update Does Not Work

Sometimes Device Manager cannot find an update, or the update fails partway through. First, restart your computer and try again — this fixes most temporary problems. Open Device Manager, right-click your Ethernet adapter, and select "Uninstall device." Restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver, often with a newer version than before.

If that does not work, read the driver directly from the manufacturer and run the installer manually. Make sure you are downloading the version for Windows 11, not an older version of Windows. If the installer fails, check whether your user account has administrator rights. Right-click the installer and select "Run as administrator."

If your Ethernet adapter still does not work after all this, the hardware itself may be damaged. Try a different Ethernet cable first — cables fail more often than cards do. If a different cable does not help, you may need to replace the network card or contact your computer's manufacturer for support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will updating my Ethernet driver improve my internet speed?

Sometimes. An outdated driver can cause slower speeds or connection drops. A newer driver may fix these problems. However, if your internet is slow, the issue is usually your internet service provider, your router, or the cable itself — not the driver. Update the driver first, then test your speed. If it does not improve, the problem is elsewhere.

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

No. The new driver will replace the old one automatically. You only need to uninstall the old driver if the new one fails to install and you want to start fresh.

What if I do not know my network card model?

Open Device Manager, expand "Network adapters," and look at the name listed there. That is your model. If the name is unclear, right-click it, select "Properties," and click the "Details" tab. The "Hardware IDs" field contains codes you can search online to identify the exact card.

Can I update my Ethernet driver while using WiFi?

Yes. If you have WiFi available, connect to it before you update. Your Ethernet connection will drop during the update, but your WiFi will keep you online. Once the update finishes and your Ethernet reconnects, you can switch back if you prefer.

How often should I update my Ethernet driver?

Check for updates once or twice a year, or whenever you have connection problems. You do not need to update every time a new version comes out — only when you have a reason to, like a bug fix or a speed improvement that the manufacturer mentions in the release notes.