Get the Realtek Ethernet driver
Get the Realtek Ethernet driver from your PC or motherboard maker's support page for your model. If the maker has none for Windows 11, Realtek's PCIe FE / GbE / 2.5GbE family controller software page has Win10 and Win11 drivers for chips such as RTL8111, RTL8168 and RTL8125.
Checked October 30, 2026 against the manufacturer's own pages.
Driver downloads
| Driver | Version | Released | Size | Windows | Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Realtek Ethernet (NDIS) auto installer | 10.80.50 | October 5, 2026 | 5 MB | Windows 10 and 11 | Download from realtek.com |
| Realtek Ethernet (NetAdapterCx) auto installer | 11.031.50 | October 5, 2026 | 3 MB | Windows 11 | Download from realtek.com |
Values copied from the manufacturer's page on October 30, 2026. The file always downloads from the manufacturer, never from this site.
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
Download on another device if you are offline
Without a network driver this PC cannot reach the internet. Use a phone or another computer to download the driver, copy it to a USB stick, then move it across.
Read the device ID
Open Device Manager and look under Network adapters, or under Other devices for an Ethernet Controller with a warning icon. Open Properties, Details, Hardware Ids. DEV_8168 points to the Gigabit family, DEV_8125 to the 2.5GbE chip.
Check the PC or board maker first
Search your exact laptop, prebuilt PC or motherboard model on the maker's support site. Pick Windows 11 and download the LAN or Ethernet driver listed there.
Use Realtek's page if the maker has nothing
On Realtek's family controller software page, open the Windows section and choose the Win10/Win11 driver. Save the file to your USB stick and unzip it if it arrives as an archive.
Install, restart and test the cable
Run the setup file, restart, then open Settings, Network and internet, Ethernet. It should say Connected. If not, try another cable and router port.
How Realtek names its network chips
Realtek’s controllers carry RTL model numbers. The public PCI ID Repository lists device 8168 under vendor 10EC as the RTL8111/8168/8211/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Controller, so one driver family covers all four names. Device 8125 is the RTL8125 2.5GbE Controller, common on newer desktop motherboards. Windows often shows these as a Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller or a similar family name.
Why the board maker comes before Realtek
Motherboard and laptop makers test the network driver with their own firmware and power settings. Wake on LAN and sleep behaviour depend on that pairing. Realtek’s generic package works on most boards, but if a maker publishes a newer one for your model, use theirs.
Questions
NDIS or NetAdapterCx: which do I pick?
Realtek lists a Win10/Win11 package and a separate Win11 NetAdapterCx package. NetAdapterCx is a newer Windows network driver model. If you are unsure, start with the Win10/Win11 package, which runs on both systems.
No Ethernet adapter shows in Device Manager.
Check the BIOS or UEFI setup for an onboard LAN option and make sure it is enabled. If the port still does not appear after that, the controller may be faulty.
Is a Realtek 2.5GbE port faster on any network?
Only if your router or switch has 2.5 gigabit ports too. On a normal 1 gigabit router the link runs at 1 gigabit whatever driver you install.