What Internet Drivers Do and Why They Need Updates

Your internet driver is the software that lets your operating system talk to your network hardware — your Wi-Fi card, ethernet port, or modem. When the driver is outdated, you may see slow speeds, dropped connections, or devices that won't connect at all. Updates fix bugs, improve performance, and add support for newer Wi-Fi standards.

You do not need to update drivers on a schedule. Update when you notice connection problems, when you buy new network hardware, or when your computer prompts you to. Most people can go months without updating and see no difference.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows and Mac both have built-in ways to check for driver updates through Settings or System Preferences without downloading anything from the internet first.
  • Device Manager on Windows shows you exactly which network adapter you have, so you can search for the right driver by name and model number.
  • Manufacturer websites (Intel, Realtek, Broadcom, Qualcomm) host drivers for specific adapter models, and you can find your model number in Device Manager.
  • Restart your computer after installing a new driver so the operating system can load it properly.
  • If a new driver causes problems, you can roll back to the previous version through Device Manager without losing your connection.

Finding Your Network Adapter Model on Windows

Before you search for a driver, you need to know what network hardware you have. Open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting "Device Manager" from the menu. Look for the section called "Network adapters" and click the arrow next to it to expand the list.

You will see one or more adapters listed by name and model number — something like "Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200" or "Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 Gigabit Ethernet Controller". Write down the exact name. This is what you will search for when you look for a driver update.

Checking Windows Update for Driver Updates

The easiest place to start is Windows Update, which can find and install drivers automatically. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then click "System" in the left sidebar. Scroll down and click "About", then click "Advanced system settings" at the bottom of the page.

In the window that opens, click the "Hardware" tab, then click "Device Installation Settings". Select "Yes (recommended)" to let Windows download drivers automatically, then click "Save changes". Windows will now search for updates in the background and install them when it finds them.

You can also check manually. Open Settings, click "System", then "Windows Update" in the left sidebar. Click "Check for updates". If a driver update is available, Windows will show it under "Optional updates" — click "Download and install".

Downloading Drivers from the Manufacturer's Website

If Windows Update does not find an update, or if you want the newest version, go to the manufacturer's website directly. The most common network adapter makers are Intel, Realtek, Broadcom, and Qualcomm. Search for "[manufacturer name] driver download" and go to their support page.

On the manufacturer's site, enter your adapter model number (the one you found in Device Manager) and your operating system version. The site will show you available drivers. Download the one marked as the latest version. Save it to your Downloads folder.

Once the download finishes, open the file and follow the installer's instructions. It will usually ask you to restart your computer — do this right away so the driver loads properly. If you skip the restart, the new driver may not work.

Updating Drivers on Mac

Mac handles network drivers differently than Windows. Most network adapters on Mac use drivers built into the operating system, and they update automatically through Software Update. Click the Apple menu, select "System Settings", then click "General" in the left sidebar. Click "Software Update" and let your Mac check for updates.

If you have an older Mac or a third-party network adapter, the manufacturer may provide a separate installer. Search for your adapter model plus "Mac driver" and download from the official manufacturer site. Open the installer file and follow the prompts, then restart your Mac.

What to Do If a New Driver Causes Problems

Occasionally a new driver will cause connection issues or slow speeds instead of fixing them. You can roll back to the previous version without losing your internet connection. Open Device Manager, right-click your network adapter, and select "Properties". Click the "Driver" tab, then click "Roll Back Driver".

If you cannot access Device Manager because your connection is broken, restart your computer in Safe Mode with Networking. On Windows 10 or 11, hold Shift and click the power button in the Start menu, then click "Restart". When the menu appears, select "Troubleshoot", then "Advanced options", then "Startup Settings", then restart. Choose "Safe Mode with Networking" from the list.

Once you are back to the previous driver, contact the manufacturer's support team and describe the problem. They may have a newer version that fixes the issue, or they may recommend staying on the older driver until they release a patch.

Checking Your Current Driver Version

To see which driver version you have installed, open Device Manager, right-click your network adapter, and select "Properties". Click the "Driver" tab. The "Driver Version" field shows the current version number. Write this down if you need to report a problem to the manufacturer.

You can also check the driver date to see how old it is. If the date is more than a year in the past and you are having connection problems, an update may help. If the date is recent and you are still having issues, the problem is likely something else — like a loose cable, interference, or a problem with your router.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to uninstall the old driver before installing a new one?

No. The installer will replace the old driver automatically. Uninstalling first can sometimes cause Windows to lose your network connection temporarily. Let the installer handle the replacement, then restart.

What if I cannot find my adapter model on the manufacturer's website?

Search for the model number in quotes on Google along with "driver download". You may find it on a reseller's support page or an archived version of the manufacturer's site. If the adapter is very old, the manufacturer may no longer provide updates — in that case, Windows Update is your best option.

Can I update drivers while using Wi-Fi?

Yes, you can update your Wi-Fi driver while connected to Wi-Fi. However, if something goes wrong during installation, you will lose your connection. If you have an ethernet port, plug in a cable before updating your Wi-Fi driver so you stay online if the update fails.

How often should I update my network drivers?

Only update when you notice a problem or when your computer prompts you. Checking every few months is reasonable if you have frequent connection issues, but most people can go a year or longer without an update and see no difference.

Will updating my driver change my Wi-Fi password or settings?

No. Updating the driver does not touch your saved networks or passwords. Your Wi-Fi settings stay exactly as they are. After the restart, your computer will reconnect to your network automatically using the saved password.