How to Install a Network Driver Without Internet – So, you just reinstalled Windows, and now there’s no internet, which feels super frustrating, right? Well, I’ve been there, so I know exactly how annoying it is when you can’t even download the network driver. But don’t worry, because I’ll guide you through the entire process, and you’ll get your internet back in no time!
Step 1: Identify the Network Driver Issue
First of all, you need to figure out the problem, or else you won’t know what to fix. So, go ahead and open Device Manager, since that’s where all the hardware info is located.
- Press
Win + X, then click Device Manager, because that’s the quickest way. - Look under Network Adapters, since that’s where your driver should be listed.
- If you see a yellow exclamation mark, then your driver is missing, which means you need to install it manually.
- Sometimes, the network adapter doesn’t even show up, so you should check under Other Devices for something called Unknown Network Controller.
- Right-click it, select Properties, go to the Details Tab, then choose Hardware IDs, because that’s how you identify the exact driver you need.
If all this sounds too complicated, don’t panic, because I’ll guide you step by step!
Step 2: Download the Network Driver Using Another Device
Since your PC doesn’t have internet, you obviously need another device to download the driver. So, grab a laptop, another PC, or even a phone, because any of those will work.
- Go to the official website of your PC’s brand, since that’s where the correct drivers are available.
- Type in your PC model number or use the hardware ID you copied earlier, because that ensures you get the right one.
- Download the Wi-Fi or Ethernet driver, but make sure to grab the latest version, since older ones might not work properly.
- Save the file to a USB drive, because that’s the easiest way to transfer it to your PC.
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure which driver to get, then download both Wi-Fi and Ethernet drivers, since having both won’t hurt! 😎
Step 3: Transfer & Install the Network Driver
Now that you have the driver, you need to move it to your PC, or else you’re still stuck without internet. So, let’s do this quickly!
- Plug in your USB drive, because that’s the fastest method.
- Copy the driver file (.exe or .inf) to your desktop, since that makes it easier to find.
- Run the .exe file, because that will automatically install the driver.
- If it’s a .inf file, then you need to install it manually:
- Open Device Manager, because that’s where drivers are managed.
- Right-click the Network Adapter, then choose Update Driver, since that’s the option you need.
- Select Browse my computer for drivers, so you can manually choose the right file.
- Pick the folder where you saved the driver, then click Next, because that’s how you complete the installation.
Once that’s done, go ahead and restart your PC, since that ensures the driver starts working properly!
Step 4: Enable the Network Connection
If the internet still doesn’t work, then don’t panic, because there’s one more thing to check. Sometimes, the network adapter gets disabled, so you need to enable it manually.
- Open Control Panel > Network & Internet > Network Connections, because that’s where all network settings are located.
- Look for your Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter, because that’s what controls your internet.
- If it’s disabled, then right-click it, then select Enable, because that turns it back on.
- If it still doesn’t work, then try Windows Troubleshooter, since that can sometimes fix hidden issues.
To do that, go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Internet Connections, because that’s where the troubleshooting tool is located.
Step 5: Alternative Methods to Install a Network Driver Without Internet
If none of the above steps worked, then don’t give up, because there are still more options to try!
Use Windows Built-in Drivers
Windows sometimes has basic drivers pre-installed, so you should check if that’s the case before doing anything else.
- Open Device Manager, because that’s where driver updates happen.
- Right-click the network adapter, then select Update Driver, since that’s the option you need.
- Choose Search automatically for drivers, because Windows might already have the right one.
- If Windows finds a driver, then install it and restart your PC, because that final step ensures everything works.
Use a Driver Pack
Another great option is using a Driver Pack, since those come with a full set of offline drivers.
- Download Snappy Driver Installer or DriverPack Solution, because both work offline.
- Transfer the installer via USB, since that’s the simplest method.
- Run the tool on your PC, because that lets it scan for missing drivers.
- Install the recommended drivers, then restart your PC, because that’s how you finalize the process.
Use a Mobile Hotspot (If Available)
If your phone has data, then you can use it to download the driver, so try this method if USB transfers aren’t an option.
- Connect your phone via USB, because that’s the most stable connection.
- Enable USB Tethering (
Settings > Hotspot & Tethering > USB Tethering), because that lets your PC use mobile data. - Download the network driver, then install it normally, since that should restore your internet access.
FAQs: How to Install a Network Driver Without Internet
How do I know which network driver I need?
You need to check Device Manager > Network Adapters, because that shows the missing driver. If it’s not there, then use Hardware IDs, since that helps find the exact one.
Can I install a network driver without a USB?
Yes, you can use Bluetooth, a mobile hotspot, or an external hard drive, since all those options let you transfer the driver.
What if my Ethernet driver is missing too?
You should download both Wi-Fi and Ethernet drivers, because having both ensures you won’t get stuck without internet.
Do I need to restart my PC after installing the driver?
Yes! You must restart your PC, because that ensures the changes take effect.
Can I use my phone to download network drivers?
Absolutely! You can download the driver on your phone, then transfer it via USB, Bluetooth, or SD card, since all those methods work.
