Find the right Ethernet driver
Find your Ethernet adapter in Device Manager under Network adapters. Intel names mean you use the Intel route, Realtek names mean the Realtek route. In both cases try Windows Update and the PC or motherboard maker first, since built-in LAN chips are tied to the board.
Checked October 30, 2026 against the manufacturer's own pages.
The short version
What to install and where it comes from. Every link goes to the manufacturer or Microsoft, never to a copy.
Official files only, nothing bundled
Step by step
Check the cable and port first
Look for lights on the port. Try a second cable and a second router or switch port. A driver is not always the cause.
Read the adapter in Device Manager
Expand Network adapters. Look for names such as Intel Ethernet Connection I219-V or Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller. A yellow mark or an entry under Other devices means no driver.
Ask Windows Update
Open Settings, Windows Update, then Check for updates and Optional updates. Windows may offer an Ethernet driver.
Download from the PC or board maker
Enter the model on the maker's support site and open the LAN section. Without a network, use another PC and a USB drive.
Use the chip maker if there is no maker driver
Intel names its Windows packages by version of Windows. For Realtek chips use Realtek's page, and read the Realtek Ethernet page on this site first.
What an Ethernet driver does
An Ethernet driver lets Windows talk to the wired network chip. When the right one is missing, Network adapters shows a yellow mark, a generic name, or nothing. Most PCs have one of two chip families: Intel or Realtek. A smaller number carry parts from other makers, and USB Ethernet dongles bring their own chips.
Why built-in chips follow the board
The chip is soldered to the motherboard, so the board maker picks the version, and may add settings. Intel’s Windows driver pages say that support for built-in network connections is provided by the system or board manufacturer. That makes the maker’s page the best second stop after Windows Update. Intel or Realtek pages are for cases where the maker has nothing recent.
Telling the two families apart
Device Manager usually names the chip. If not, open the adapter’s Properties, Details, Hardware Ids. VEN_8086 means Intel, and VEN_10EC means Realtek. From there, read the matching guide: Intel’s Ethernet page lists the main download packages, and the I219-V and I225-V pages cover the two most common desktop chips. The Realtek page covers PCIe GbE controllers.
Questions
Which driver does a Realtek chip use?
Read our Realtek Ethernet driver guide. In short, your PC or motherboard maker's version comes first.
I have just reinstalled Windows and Ethernet does not work.
Windows often has a basic driver for common chips. If it does not, download the LAN driver on another PC and move it over on a USB drive.
Is a USB Ethernet adapter different?
Yes. Its driver depends on the chip inside the adapter, shown in Device Manager once it is plugged in. Many are recognised by Windows' own class drivers.
The speed is lower than my plan.
Check the negotiated link speed in Settings, Network and internet, Ethernet. Cables, switch ports and adapter settings come before the driver.