Network Adapters Are Deleted/Missing

[kjbach1]

After one of the latest Windows 10 updates, my laptop network adapters for WiFi, Ethernet and Bluetooth all went missing. Icons are gone from Device Manager and the Network folder.  They are not hidden.

Without the icons I cannot install the drivers.

I think I've downloaded the correct drivers but am denied access when I click setup from the driver software even though I have admin rights. (I suspected this wouldn't work.)

I've reverted Windows to no avail. All that show up after reversion are generic Windows adapters which of course do not work.

No error messages.

Any ideas out there?

[ub6424]

Hello @kjbach1 

Sorry to hear that you are having problems ... 

(1) The quick and dirty method is to install all network drivers ( ignore error messages, if this or that device is not detected )

Intel Bluetooth Driver

22.0.0.2 Rev.A

15.5 MB

Oct 30, 2020

Download

Intel WLAN Driver

22.120.0.3 Rev.A

32.3 MB

Mar 6, 2022

Download

Realtek Local Area Network (LAN) Driver

10.45.928.2020 Rev.S

0.8 MB

Jul 29, 2021

Download

Realtek RTL8xxx Series Bluetooth Driver

1.8.1030.3010 Rev.S

2.4 MB

Oct 6, 2020

Download

Realtek RTL8xxx Wireless LAN Drivers

2024.0.9.103 / 2024.0.4.108 Rev.S

14.4 MB

Jul 18, 2019

Download

(2) Reboot and test again ...

Please report your results

best regards

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[kjbach1]

I just tried to install the drivers with Admin privileges and checked Network Adapters in Device Manager. There are no network icons hidden or otherwise.

Any other ideas?

[ub6424]

Hello @kjbach1 

Please send me screenshots of the windows device manager

- Network adapters

- All unknown devices

Please report your results

best regards

---

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[kjbach1]

[ub6424]

Hello @kjbach1 

- windows device manager right click and 'uninstall device' Intel Realtek 8811CU Wireless LAN, confirm if requested

- Download driver from Realtek

https://www.realtek.com/en/component/zoo/category/rtl8811au-software

- Install and reboot

- Test again

best regars

[kjbach1]

Captcha fail on two different computers several times. Site may be down. I'll try later/tomorrow.

[kjbach1]

I've since learned that the captcha verification is a known chronic website problem.

Any other ideas?

Thx

[ub6424]

Hello @kjbach1 

The same (driver only) version from microsoft:

Realtek Semiconductor Corp. - Net - 1030.44.303.2021

Download

- Extract the .cab file with windows explorer or 7-zip

- use this guide to update driver for your wireless device, of course

https://youtu.be/S97hJsg4H20?t=66

Please report your results

best regards

---

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make it easier for other people to find this type of solution by marking the reply ▶️ [ Accept as Solution ] ◀️

Do this on the post I wrote that helped solve it.

Thank you very much

             ⌨️

[kjbach1]

Hi.

Downloaded it. Watched the video which was for an inf file, BTW. The installation required the RealTek WiFi icon to be in the Device Manager Network Adapters. That's where my problems originally started. Recall that I don't have the necessary adapter icons because they were deleted.

These are the screenshots from yesterday and today after I uninstalled the NIC as you directed. I scanned for hardware changes and checked the hidden icons and the NIC didn't show up today. Any other ideas?