To install a Wi-Fi driver in Windows 10, use Windows Update if the PC can get online. If it cannot, download the matching driver from the PC or adapter manufacturer’s official website on another computer, copy it to a USB drive, and install it on the affected PC. You do not need a generic driver-updater app.
Keep any working driver in place while you obtain the replacement. If this is a work or school computer, ask its IT team before changing managed drivers.
1. Identify the adapter and the correct package
Right-click Start, open Device Manager, and expand Network adapters. Note the wireless adapter’s name. Do not select an Ethernet adapter or a WAN Miniport just because it appears in the same list.
Use your computer’s exact model on its manufacturer’s support site. For a separate USB Wi-Fi adapter, use that adapter’s model and hardware revision. The package must support Windows 10 and your system’s architecture, such as 64-bit. A driver for a similar product is not a safe substitute.
If the name is unclear, the FAQ below shows where to find the adapter’s hardware details. An unidentified device may appear under Other devices as a Network Controller. Use the PC manufacturer’s model information to identify it rather than guessing from a download site’s suggestions.
2. Try Windows Update when you have internet access
- Connect through a working connection, such as Ethernet.
- Open Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update and select Check for updates.
- If View optional updates appears, open it and look for a driver that applies to your wireless adapter.
- Select the relevant driver and choose Download and install. Restart after installation finishes.
Optional drivers are not installed automatically. If no suitable driver is offered, use the official manufacturer’s package below. This route is covered in Microsoft’s driver-update guidance.
Windows 10’s ordinary support ended on October 14, 2025. Installing a Wi-Fi driver does not extend the operating system’s support lifecycle.
3. Get an offline package if the PC cannot connect
- On another connected computer, open the official support page for the affected PC or adapter.
- Select the matching Windows 10 wireless driver. Check the supported models and architecture before downloading.
- Save the full driver package to a USB drive, then copy it to the affected computer.
A small online downloader may still require internet access when launched. Check the manufacturer’s package instructions so you have the actual installation files. Using another PC and a USB drive is also the approach in the Wi-Fi troubleshooting guide.
4. Install the file type you downloaded
If the package includes a setup program: open it and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Read the prompts and restart when requested.
If you have an extracted driver folder: keep its files together, then use Device Manager:
- Right-click the matching adapter or identified Network Controller and select Update driver.
- Choose Browse my computer for drivers.
- Browse to the extracted driver folder, check that the location is correct, and select Next.
- Read the result and close the installer. Restart if requested.
This follows Microsoft’s manual Device Manager installation method. If Windows reports that no compatible driver was found, recheck the model and package. Do not force a driver intended for different hardware.
5. Check that Wi-Fi actually works
Return to Device Manager, open the wireless adapter’s Properties, and read its device status. Then turn Wi-Fi on, select your network, and test a website. A listed adapter is only one check; a successful connection is the result you need.
If the adapter works but the network does not, check Airplane mode and whether another device can use that network. A driver installation will not resolve every router or internet-provider problem.
If installation fails or Wi-Fi disappears
Record the exact error and adapter name. If the problem started immediately after an update, check the adapter’s Properties → Driver → Roll Back Driver option. It may be unavailable; do not assume a previous package is still saved.
Uninstalling is a separate troubleshooting step, not a requirement for every installation. If a reinstall is needed, save a compatible replacement package before you remove the current driver. Windows may not be able to put the driver back automatically.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a Wi-Fi driver onto a PC with no internet?
Download it on another computer and copy it over with a USB drive. Or connect your phone with a USB cable and turn on USB tethering, which gives the PC internet without Wi-Fi so Windows Update can find the driver.
How do I know which Wi-Fi chip I have?
In Device Manager, open Network adapters. The Wi-Fi adapter’s name usually includes the maker, such as Intel, Realtek, MediaTek or Qualcomm. If it shows as an unknown device, right-click it, select Properties > Details, and choose Hardware Ids to look it up.
Should I use the PC maker’s driver or the chip maker’s?
Start with your PC maker’s support page, since that driver was tested for your model. Use the chip maker’s newer driver if the PC maker’s version has problems.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.