Many Realtek network adapter users are reporting that they see an error telling them “The Realtek Network Controller was not found“. If you are also being troubled by this error, don’t worry! Here are four fixes you can try. You may not have to try them all. Just work your way down the list until you find the one that works.

Method 1: Update your network adapter driver
Method 2: Reset your BIOS
Method 3: Troubleshoot your hardware
Method 4: Prevent your network adapter from getting in sleep mode


Method 1: Update your network adapter driver

The error may occur if you are using the wrong network driver or it is out of date. You should update your network adapter driver to see if this fixes your problem. If you’re not confident playing around with drivers, you can do it automatically with Driver Easy.

Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and find the correct drivers for it. You don’t need to know exactly what system your computer is running, you don’t need to risk downloading and installing the wrong driver, and you don’t need to worry about making a mistake when installing.

It can also help you update your network driver when your computer is disconnected from the Internet. To do so:

1) Install Driver Easy on your computer. Then open this program.

2) Click Tools 

3) Click Offline Scan.

4) Select Offline Scan and then click Continue.

5) Choose a location to save your scan result. Then click Offline Scan to perform the scan.

6) Copy the result to another computer that has Internet access. Then install and open Driver Easy on that computer.

7) Go to Tools -> Offline Scan.

8) Select Upload Offline Scan File. Then click Continue.

9) Upload the scan result and click continue.

10) Click Download to download the correct driver for your network adapter.

11) Move the driver file to your computer. Then double click it to install the driver.

12) Restart your computer. If this method works for you, you will not see the error again.

2) Reset your BIOS

It is possible that your Realtek Network Controller cannot be found because of some faulty settings in your BIOS. Try resetting your BIOS to default settings and see if this fixes the error.

WARNING: Configuring BIOS is very risky and can bring about unexpected consequences. You must be very cautious about your operation.

To reset your BIOS:

1)  Enter BIOS.

2) Press the left arrow key on your keyboard until the Exit tab is highlighted. Then select Load Setup Default.

NOTE: The names and locations of these items can be different depending on the BIOS in your computer.

3) Save and exit BIOS. Then check to see if this fixes the error.

Method 3: Troubleshoot your hardware

You may encounter the error if there are problems with your RAM or network adapter. You should have a check on your hardware.

First you should re-plug your RAM:

1) Completely shut down your computer and unplug the power cable (or remove the battery if you are using a laptop).

2) Open your computer case or remove your laptop cover.

3) Unplug your RAM (random access memory) from your motherboard.

4) Leave the RAM for half a day.

5) Plug the RAM back in your computer.

6) Plug your power cable (and the battery) back and power on your computer. Check to see if the error disappears.

If the problem persists:

1) Completely shut down your computer and unplug the power cable (or remove the battery if you are using a laptop).

2) If you are using a PCI network adapter, unplug the network cable from it and plug it into the network port on the motherboard. Power on the computer and see if this fixes the error.

3) If you are using the integrated network adapter, try using an external network adapter and see if your computer can connect to the Internet normally

4) Prevent your network adapter from getting in sleep mode

The error may also occur because the network adapter is in sleep mode. You should change the sleep mode setting of your network adapter to keep it from getting into sleep mode.

1) Press the Windows logo key and R on your keyboard at the same time to invoke the Run box.

2) Type “devmgmt.msc” and press Enter on your keyboard.

3) Double click you Realtek network adapter in the Network adapters category.

4) Click the Power Management tab. Then untick Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

5) Check and see if this fixes the error.

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