What a network driver update does and why you need it

A network driver is the software that lets your computer talk to your internet connection — whether that's Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or a mobile hotspot. When you update it, you're replacing the old version with a newer one that fixes bugs, improves speed, patches security holes, or adds support for new hardware. If your internet keeps dropping, pages load slowly, or you can't connect at all, a driver update is often the first thing to try.

Your computer came with a network driver already installed, but manufacturers release updates regularly. Windows and Mac both push some updates automatically, but not always the latest version from your hardware maker. Updating manually gives you control over when it happens and ensures you get the most recent version available.

Key Takeaways

  • Network drivers come from your computer's hardware maker — Intel, Realtek, Broadcom, or Qualcomm — not from Windows or Mac, so you read from their website.
  • Before you update, identify your exact network adapter model using Device Manager (Windows) or System Report (Mac), because downloading the wrong driver wastes time.
  • Most updates take five to ten minutes: read, run the installer, restart your computer, and test your connection.
  • If an update breaks your connection, you can roll back to the previous driver through Device Manager without losing other settings.

How to find your network adapter model on Windows

Open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting "Device Manager," or press Windows key + X and choose it from the menu. Look for the "Network adapters" category and click the arrow to expand it. You'll see one or more entries — write down the exact name. Common ones are "Intel(R) Ethernet Connection," "Realtek RTL8111," or "Qualcomm Atheros AR9485."

If you see a yellow exclamation mark next to the adapter name, that usually means the driver is missing or corrupted — updating it is the right move. If you're not sure which adapter you use, check both: the one with the exclamation mark is the problem one, or if there's no mark, the one that's active is the one you need.

How to find your network adapter model on Mac

Click the Apple menu, select "About This Mac," then click "System Report." In the left sidebar, select "Network" and look at the list of interfaces. You'll see entries like "Wi-Fi," "Ethernet," or "USB Ethernet Adapter." Click each one to see the model name and manufacturer in the right panel. Write down the exact model name — for example, "Broadcom BCM43xx" or "Intel Wireless-AC."

If you use Wi-Fi, the adapter is built into your Mac and the manufacturer is listed in System Report. If you use an external Ethernet adapter, the model name appears under the adapter's entry. Either way, you need this exact name to find the right driver on the manufacturer's website.

Downloading the correct driver from the manufacturer

Go to the website of your adapter's maker — Intel, Realtek, Broadcom, Qualcomm, or whoever made it. Look for a "Support," "Downloads," or "Drivers" section. Enter your adapter model and your operating system (Windows 10, Windows 11, macOS 12, etc.). read the latest driver file to your computer — it's usually a .exe file on Windows or a .dmg file on Mac.

Before you read, check that the file matches your system: if you have Windows 11 64-bit, don't read a 32-bit driver. If you're on macOS 13, don't read a driver for macOS 10. The manufacturer's website usually filters these for you, but double-check the file name or description to be sure. Save the file somewhere you can find it — your Downloads folder is fine.

Installing the driver on Windows

Locate the driver file you downloaded and double-click it. A setup window will open — follow the prompts and click "Next" or "Install" until the installer finishes. You may see a message asking you to restart your computer. Do it — the driver won't work until you do. After restart, your network should work with the new driver.

If the installer doesn't open, right-click the file and select "Run as administrator." If you still get an error, check that you downloaded the right file for your operating system and adapter model. Once the installation is done, open Device Manager again and confirm the yellow exclamation mark is gone and the adapter name looks normal.

Installing the driver on Mac

Double-click the .dmg file you downloaded. A window will open showing the installer — usually a .pkg file. Double-click the .pkg file and follow the prompts. You'll need to enter your Mac password to allow the installation. Once it finishes, restart your Mac. After restart, check System Report again to confirm the adapter is recognized and your Wi-Fi or Ethernet is working.

If the installer asks for your password and you don't have admin rights on your Mac, you won't be able to install the driver. Contact whoever manages your Mac or use a different computer. If the installation completes but your connection still doesn't work, restart your Mac again — sometimes the driver needs two restarts to fully set up.

What to do if the update breaks your connection

If your internet stops working after an update, roll back to the previous driver. On Windows, open Device Manager, right-click your network adapter, select "Properties," click the "Driver" tab, and click "Roll Back Driver." Choose the reason for rolling back and click "Yes." Your computer will revert to the old driver and restart. After restart, your connection should work again.

On Mac, you'll need to uninstall the new driver and reinstall the old one. If you saved the old driver file, run its installer. If you didn't, you can read the previous version from the manufacturer's website — most sites let you choose older versions. If you can't get online to read, use a phone or another computer to read the old driver to a USB drive, then transfer it to your Mac.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Most driver installers replace the old version automatically. If the installer asks whether to remove the old driver, click "Yes." Uninstalling manually through Device Manager or System Preferences before installing the new one is unnecessary and can cause problems.

Will updating my network driver affect my Wi-Fi password or saved networks?

No. The driver is just the software that controls the hardware. Your saved networks, passwords, and connection history stay in your operating system settings and won't be touched by a driver update.

How often should I update my network driver?

Check the manufacturer's website every few months or when you notice connection problems. You don't need to update every time a new version comes out — update when there's a security patch, a bug fix for your specific problem, or a major version bump.

What if I can't find my adapter model anywhere?

Take a photo of the Device Manager entry or System Report screen and search for the exact model name online along with "driver read." If that doesn't work, contact the computer maker's support — they can tell you which adapter is in your machine and where to find the driver.

Can I update my network driver through Windows Update or Mac Software Update?

Windows Update and Mac Software Update push some driver updates, but not always the latest from the hardware maker. Checking the manufacturer's website directly usually gives you a newer version and more control over when the update happens.