Windows 11 Wifi Driver
WiFi

Windows 11 Wifi Driver

0.00 / 5

Published:

January 1st, 2024

Updated:

January 1st, 2024

Developer:

RealTek

Version:

2024.0.8.135

Platform:

Windows

Windows 11 Wifi Driver


How to Update a Windows 11 Wifi Driver?

A driver is software that relays commands from the operating system to hardware devices like a mouse, printer, or network adapter. Without suitable drivers installed, your internet connection can fail to function properly.

Keeping your drivers updated is essential to ensure optimal internet performance. In this article, we’ll discuss how to install or update your Wi-Fi driver in Windows 11. We’ll also provide some tips on troubleshooting common Wi-Fi issues.

How to Download and Install the Driver?

To download and install a WiFi driver on Windows 11, you can follow these general steps. Keep in mind that the specific steps might vary depending on your computer model and the manufacturer of the WiFi adapter.

  1. Identify Your WiFi Adapter:
    1. Press Win + X and select “Device Manager” from the menu.
    2. Look for “Network adapters” and expand the category.
    3. Find your WiFi adapter; it might be named something like “Wireless Network Adapter” or have the brand/model name.
  2. Download the Driver:
    1. Go to the official website of your computer’s manufacturer or the WiFi adapter manufacturer.
    2. Locate the support or drivers section.
    3. Find and download the latest driver for your WiFi adapter. Make sure you download the driver compatible with Windows 11.

Installation of Driver:

  1. Install the Driver:
    1. Once the driver is downloaded, locate the installer file (usually in the Downloads folder).
    2. Run the installer by double-clicking on the file.
    3. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver.
  2. Restart Your Computer:
    1. After the installation is complete, it’s often recommended to restart your computer to apply the changes.
  3. Check the Device Manager:
    1. After restarting, go back to the Device Manager (Win + X and select “Device Manager”).
    2. Ensure that your WiFi adapter is listed without any warning symbols (yellow triangle or red X). This indicates that the driver is installed correctly.
  4. Connect to WiFi:
    1. Open the “Settings” app (Win + I), go to “Network & Internet,” and select “Wi-Fi” to connect to your WiFi network.
  5. Windows Update:
    1. It’s also a good idea to check for Windows updates as Microsoft may release updates, including driver updates, through Windows Update.

Remember that these steps provide a general guideline. So, if you encounter any issues or if your computer is a custom build, you may need to visit the website of your motherboard or WiFi adapter manufacturer for specific drivers. Additionally, if your computer is a laptop, you can check the laptop manufacturer’s website for the appropriate drivers.

How to Update Windows 11 Wifi Driver?

So, if you have a Windows 11 laptop with an Intel Wi-Fi driver installed, you can update it using the device manufacturer’s website. To do so, first, open the Device Manager, expand Network adapters, right-click your wireless adapter, and select ‘Properties’. This will show you the name of your driver and its current version. You can also identify the driver version by doing a Google search with your laptop model, operating system, and wireless adapter name. Then, visit the driver download page of your laptop’s manufacturer and follow their instructions to find the latest driver for your PC.

Another way to update your Windows 11 Wi-Fi Driver is through the official device driver download page. So, this method is easy and simple, and it does not require any technical skills. All you need is the wireless adapter name and version, which you can easily find in the Device Manager as described above.

Finally, you can also use a third-party program to automatically scan your computer and update its outdated drivers. So, such programs can save you time and effort by automatically downloading and installing the latest driver for your Wi-Fi adapter. One such program is Advanced Driver Updater, which can be used for free to find and install the latest drivers for your device. It also backs up your old drivers and restores them if something goes wrong during the process.

How to Reinstall the Driver?

If you’re having issues with your WiFi connection, the most likely culprit is an outdated driver. Drivers are essentially software designed to work with a certain operating system, and without them, hardware like a wireless network adapter won’t function properly. Fortunately, Windows has its built-in tool to update drivers automatically. Here’s how to do it:

First, you’ll want to identify your Wi-Fi driver name and current version. So, to do this, launch ‘Device Manager’, select your network adapter, and right-click on it. Click ‘Properties’ and you should see the ‘Driver’ tab, where you can find this information.

Once you have this information, you can go to the manufacturer’s website and download the latest version of the driver. Once you have the new driver, make sure to delete the existing one from ‘Device Manager’ before installing the new one. This will ensure that there are no conflicts.

So, if the above steps don’t fix your problem, try using a specialized tool that will automate the entire process for you. This tool will scan your computer find the latest drivers available, and install them with just a few clicks. It’s a great option for those who don’t have the time to manually search for and download the correct driver. Plus, it eliminates the risk of downloading a corrupted or obsolete driver, which can cause serious problems.

How to Check for Updates?

So, if your computer’s wireless software or drivers are out of date, you may have trouble connecting to the Internet or using other network services. Wireless manufacturers regularly release driver updates to resolve compatibility problems with access points from other vendors, address security issues, and improve performance and functionality.

Although most modern Windows OS such as Windows 11 automatically update drivers through the system, you can also check for them manually. The best way to do this is through the ‘Device Manager’, an in-built utility that allows you to view and manage the various hardware devices connected to your PC. To launch the ‘Device Manager’, press WINDOWS+S or click the Start button and type in ‘Device Manager’ in the search bar. Once the ‘Device Manager’ opens, locate and expand the ‘Network adapters’ option, then select your Wi-Fi adapter to see its current driver version.

You can download the latest Wi-Fi driver from the manufacturer’s website or through Windows Update. If you choose the latter, be sure to select the ‘Optional updates’ menu and tick the ‘Download and install the driver from Microsoft’ box. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process and restart your PC for the changes to take effect. Alternatively, you can use third-party software that can automatically download and install the latest drivers for your computer. Examples of such tools include Double Driver and Snappy Driver Installer.

How to Fix?

A driver is a piece of software that enables your Windows operating system to communicate with the hardware devices connected to it. Without the right drivers, your PC may not be able to connect to the internet through its WiFi adapter or any other hardware that requires a network connection. To ensure that you have the latest and most compatible drivers installed, it’s important to keep them updated regularly.

So, if you’re experiencing problems with your WiFi connection, the first thing to do is check whether the problem lies with your computer or your router. If all other devices you use to connect to the internet (including your phone, smart speakers, and other computers) can reach websites normally, it’s probably a problem with the Wi-Fi connection on your Windows 11 computer. You can try to contact your internet service provider or wait it out to see if the issue resolves itself.

Another possible solution is to uninstall and then reinstall your Wi-Fi driver. So, this will reset all settings and restore your original defaults, which should fix the issue. So, to do this, press Windows + X and then select Device Manager. Expand the Network Adapters section and right-click your Wi-Fi adapter. Select Uninstall device and then follow the on-screen prompts to remove your existing driver.

Once the driver is removed, restart your computer and then reinstall it from the official website of the manufacturer. This should fix the problem and ensure that your connection to the internet is secure.

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