Ethernet Driver is gone

[t3rr0r_c1ub]

Its been a really long time since I've looked into this again, and this time I have found the source of the problem but I don't know how I should continue.

A few months ago, my ethernet cable stopped working and my computer switched to Wi-Fi, I didn't notice at first but I realized that my speed was down a bit.

I tried all of the regular troubleshooting and looked online for help until I looked on this forum and it told me to reinstall the driver or update it. But the driver wasn't there in Device Manager. I tried installing it automatically using 

the Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller Win10 Auto Installation Program but it wouldn't install because it couldn't detect the driver. I have also checked my modem and my cable to see if that was the issue but it wasn't.
(TL:DR: My ethernet driver is completely gone from the device manager, modem and cable are fine)

Are there any solutions out there?

system info if needed

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi:

Looking at your screenshot, it seems to me that the ethernet chip on the motherboard has failed (which is the only reason it would just up and disappear).

Since the only fix would be to replace the motherboard, the easiest thing to do would be to purchase an external USB to RJ-45 gigabit ethernet adapter, plug it into one of your PC's USB 3 ports and you will have a faster ethernet connection again.

https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Ethernet-Adapter-Supporting/dp/B00BBD7NFU/ref=sr_1_3?hvadid=785...

[t3rr0r_c1ub]

Thanks for the quick reply!

[t3rr0r_c1ub]

What reasons could there be to cause it to just fail, could it be heating issues?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

That could have been the problem, but my money is on it took a power surge from a lightning strike nearby, or something similar.

Happens all the time.