The laptop does not see the network cable (Internet cable). Reasons and what to do. The laptop does not see the network cable (Ethernet internet cable)

In modern life, the presence of a computer at home or at work automatically means the presence of a network on it, either local or with Internet access. With a network card, your computer allows you to receive information, communicate, and sometimes even work or play. Naturally, when the network disappears for some reason, we feel as if cut off from the vast sea of ​​​​opportunities that it gave us.

This happened to me too. I turn on the computer, the system is loading - and what do I see? A message about an unconnected network cable in the middle of the screen. But I was just going to check my email and read the latest news, and we should also not forget that in order to comfortably watch movies or work, you also need a computer. Why such a misfortune with the cable? Why doesn't the network card see the cable? Windows 7 was recently installed on the computer. Moreover, just yesterday everything was working perfectly - and yet the problem still exists and needs to be fixed.

Cable check

First of all, I checked the cable itself - what if it really isn’t connected? Sometimes this happens if it is accidentally touched or pulled out while moving a laptop or computer. To check, just pull the cable out to the end and insert it back. There should be a slight click, indicating that the cable is in place. Is the problem still there? We continue our further search for a solution.

We take out the cable again and carefully inspect it. It's worth starting with the connector itself - it can be physically damaged, which will be noticeable by cracks on the connector or bent and missing contacts. If the search results are positive, the connector should be replaced. If everything is in order, the inspection smoothly proceeds directly to the cable. The main attention should be paid to kinks and breaks in the braid. If damage is detected, the cable is replaced, completely or partially. In principle, the not too high price allows you to avoid wasting time on replacing part of it. It’s easier to do this with the entire cable up to its nearest twist, the distance to which inside an apartment or office rarely exceeds 10 m.

Checking your computer

After checking for physical damage, I regretfully noted the fact that the network card still does not see the cable on the laptop. Which means it’s not the cable at all.

Is it possible that the problem is hidden in the computer? Here the check is quite simple, although this will require another device with a network card. We connect the cable to it and see if the Internet appears. If yes, then you should look for the reason in the drivers or settings of your network card. However, there may also be an option with damage or malfunction of the card, which in this case will simply have to be replaced.

However, do not rush to get rid of the network card until you check its settings. For some reason, they could go wrong on their own - to fix such a problem, you should contact your Internet provider and check with them exactly how your settings should be. And some similar devices that support data transfer at a speed of 1 Gbit/s occasionally experience problems that require setting the operating mode settings to no more than 100 Mbit/s.

And it happens that the network card does not see the Internet cable and “swears”, sending you messages about non-connection when its control programs - drivers - go wrong and stop working correctly. Reinstalling drivers is possible, for example, from the system disk that came with the equipment, or it can also be configured on the computer. If such options do not suit you, then you will have to download programs from the Internet, however, on another computer, because yours does not yet see the network. For comfortable work on the Internet.

Conclusions

Carrying out all the checks described above will not be difficult for any person more or less familiar with a computer. However, if any of them causes you difficulties or none of the checks helped, you will have to contact a computer service center.

When the operating system is reinstalled, the user may encounter the problem of missing network driver. Without this driver, it is impossible to start either a wireless or wired network. If you have the disk, there are no problems, just install the program. And if it is missing, you need to find, for example, a mobile phone/tablet with a connected network in order to download the driver. To avoid such problems, when reinstalling the operating system, you must follow the correct algorithm of actions.

The driver is the link between the operating system and the internal components of the computer, that is, this program connects the OS with the motherboard, video and network cards, and office equipment. These programs are developed by the same companies that produce PC equipment and electronic office equipment, which is what a personal computer interacts with. When buying a computer, the user does not think about various drivers, since they are already preinstalled in the system. But, for example, after the first reinstallation of the OS or the purchase of a new computer, the user will be faced with their absence.

1. Even a new computer, just from a store, may lack an operating system, and as a result, a driver.
2. When the operating system is installed/reinstalled.
3. When a system crash occurs and the driver stops working.

In this regard, it is advisable to keep the full set of drivers in a separate folder on your PC or download them to a flash card. In this case, you don’t have to look for a mobile device to go to the official pages of the manufacturers’ websites and from there download a program that will automatically install the missing drivers.

Installing the network driver

Step 1. Equipment identification

Step 2. Install/update the network adapter driver

To install a missing or recent version of the driver, use Device Manager. Perform the same actions in the last step " Update drivers».

How to do it! In Device Manager, you can uninstall the old version of the network driver. Agree with the choice, and the system will remove the network device driver that was previously installed on your computer.

Just yesterday everything was fine, you were enjoying high-speed Internet, but this morning you turn it on, but the computer does not see the network card. However, here you will think about it. The first thing that comes to mind is that it is out of order, you need to urgently run to the tech market for a new spare part.

That’s why it’s a good idea to always buy two completely identical system units at once. So that in case of problems, you can look for a fault by replacing suspicious modules with known good ones.

This is the path for advanced users and computer geeks. A mere mortal user most often cannot afford such excesses. In this case, one should remember the folk wisdom: “The strong and brave walk quickly and easily, but the weak and timid walk long and hard.”

Decoding - if there is nothing to check the equipment with, you will have to check all problem areas sequentially and methodically.

The computer does not see the network card - the main reasons

1. The board itself is faulty.
2. Operating system malfunctions.
3. Network drivers are corrupted.
4. Network connection settings have been changed.
5. Antivirus or Windows Firewall interference.

In fact, Chinese electronics do not spoil as often as Chinese shoes. Therefore, if you did not drop the system unit on the floor, did not climb inside and did not switch anything, the probability of failure of the network card itself is extremely small. Most likely the settings have changed.

Go to Control PanelAll Control Panel Items Network and Sharing Center and change settings

But the Windows operating system is not only smart and quick-witted, but also a rather fragile organization. A sudden power outage can easily cause serious damage to system files and connection settings.

Recovery options

1. Restore Windows to an earlier restore point. It is quite possible that after carrying out such an operation and rebooting the computer, everything will work for you. And not only will the network card appear, but also something else good will restore its functionality. Sometimes restoration needs to be done several times. All the same, it’s better and safer than starting to rearrange blocks and buses in the system unit. Moreover, you don’t need to buy anything yet.
2. A more radical remedy is a complete reshuffle of the Windows operating system. This path may turn out to be the most rational, provided that your system has been installed for quite some time and recently you have begun to notice a general deterioration in the performance of your computer. Regular cleanings do not provide tangible improvements? It's time to update Windows. New RAM, Seven and Eight are reinstalled within half an hour, so no problem.

Why is it useful to reinstall Windows? Because the distribution includes all the drivers necessary for operation. When installing the system in automatic mode, all the necessary settings are made for all devices, and the user does not need to do anything other than press the Enter button from time to time. Updating drivers separately is not an easy task. More suitable for advanced users.

In addition, to reinstall drivers you will need an Internet connection, which you don’t have. If there are backup Internet connections, you are sure that you are able to find exactly the driver for the network card that you need - then try this path.

You can download a whole package of drivers from the manufacturer’s official website and then let the computer itself determine the most suitable option automatically, using the Driver Installation Wizard.

If the problem really was with the driver, after the update the computer should work normally.

The network card was not found by the computer and is not installed as a device

When you connect some new element to your computer, the operating system detects the connection and then tries to configure it as expected. Sometimes automatic connection does not occur and then you need to perform manual installation and configuration.

Go to the Control Panel and select the menu item Install New Hardware. The New Hardware Connection Wizard interface will open. There are two options to choose from:

1. The device is already connected to the computer.
2. The device is not yet connected.

Try the “connected” option and look for your lost device in the list that opens. If it is not in the list, it means that the computer has not yet detected it. Then click “not connected yet” and reboot the system. You can do this - turn off the computer, then open the system unit, disconnect and reconnect the network card, perhaps the contact has deteriorated.

After starting the system, repeat the procedures with the Found New Hardware Wizard. If the device appears in the list of connected ones, continue setting up all points in the Wizard.

Incompatible driver update

Sometimes the reason for the card not working may be a failed Windows update. Or, during the process of downloading an automatic update, there were interruptions in the Internet connection, some of the files were downloaded incorrectly. Then you need to reinstall the old driver.

If you have a Windows OS distribution, it is best to take the file directly from the disk. Did everything work before? Or search for the previous version of the driver on the Internet.

Viral infection

Sometimes the reason a network card disappears from sight is a viral infection. Scan your computer with an antivirus. Try to disinfect the system using the Dr. utility. Web CureIt. If it's a virus thing, everything will work out.

One of the problems that a user may encounter after reinstalling Windows is the lack of a driver for the network adapter (network driver) for a wired or wireless network.

And if you don’t have a driver disk at hand, you will have to look for the driver and download it using another device that has Internet access.

In this article we will look at an algorithm that will allow you to avoid troubles that may arise after installing the OS.

What is a driver? This is a program with which the computer operating system interacts with the device hardware (motherboard, video card, network card, printer, scanner, MFP, etc.).

Drivers are developed by companies that produce computer components and peripherals that interact with PCs (for example, office equipment).

Often, modern operating systems (including Windows 7) already have a certain set of drivers that allow you to work with the main components of your computer; we will consider the case when such programs are missing.

The peculiarity of the situation when the network driver is not installed is that it is not possible to use programs to automatically install drivers, since they all use an Internet connection for their work, and since the network driver is not installed, there is no access to the Internet.

The user usually encounters installing network adapter drivers in the following cases:

1. After purchasing a new computer and not having an OS installed on it.

2. After installing the operating system.

3. After a network adapter driver failure.

To solve the problems that arise in the first case, you need to look for the disks that come with your computer. The driver disk for the motherboard contains what we need.

Over the past few years, a trend has clearly emerged that involves the abandonment of the use of optical disc drives not only among manufacturers of laptops, but also desktop PCs.

Users who independently choose the components from which their computer will be assembled also refuse to install a DVD drive.

Advice! We recommend downloading all the necessary drivers (not just the network one) to a separate directory on your hard drive and/or flash drive. This will avoid situations where, after installing the operating system, you will need to look for a drive or PC (tablet, phone) to download drivers from disk or the Internet.

Installing the network driver

The driver installation procedure can be divided into 2 stages: hardware identification and driver installation.

In order to identify manufacturers and specific models of equipment, a coding system for models and brands of computer components was developed.

As a rule, the code for a network adapter has the following form: PCI/VEN_xxxx&DEV_xxxx&SUBSYS_xxxxxx, where VEN_xxxx is the equipment manufacturer identifier (Vendor ID), DEV_xxxx is the equipment model code (Device ID).

Step 1. Equipment identification

In order to find out the code, click Start, enter “Device Manager” in the search field and go to the corresponding menu.

Next, you need to find the “Network adapters” or “Other devices” submenu and right-click on one of the submenu items, for example, in our case it will be “Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller”.

Step 2. Install/update the network adapter driver

After we have found out the equipment identifier, we should copy its name (right-click - copy) and enter it in the browser search field. After downloading the necessary program, you can begin installing it.

Similar actions will occur if you update the network driver.

To install/update the network adapter driver, you need to go to the “Device Manager” as described earlier. Select the required item and in the context menu, which is accessible by right-clicking, select “Update drivers...”.

Select “Search for drivers on this computer.”

We go to the directory into which we recently downloaded everything we need, using the “Browse” button, click “Next” and wait for the driver installation process to complete.

There is also an opinion that if you update (reinstall) a network driver, you must first remove the old one, after which you should install a new one.

Important! To remove an already installed driver, you need to go to “Device Manager”, select the network adapter, right-click and select “Delete” in the context menu. After this, the system will warn you that the device driver will be removed, we agree by clicking “OK”.

Driver Updater from Carambis

If you have a need to search for universal programs that can function on different operating systems: I mean utilities for creating group policies, programs for cleaning the system from viruses and, of course, software for working with OS drivers - the best solution would be to use the Carambis program Driver Updater.

Thanks to Driver Updater, you can not only get the software you need, but also save big. After all, one subscription purchase allows you to connect two computers at once.

A wired internet connection is preferable due to higher data transfer speeds and overall signal quality. However, the presence of a large number of physical components located over a fairly large space creates risks of damage to cable connections. In this regard, a USB modem seems to be a more reliable source, although a slower solution for providing home Internet.

So, just yesterday you were enjoying high-definition video, but today your network card does not see the cable? Who is to blame and most importantly, what to do? The following list can be compiled as possible reasons.

• Damage to the network cable.
• The cable disconnected spontaneously.
• The network card is faulty.
• Incorrect computer settings.
• Network card drivers are missing or damaged.

Cable connection problems

The weakest link is the cable itself and the connectors. Usually, part of the cable is located inside the apartment, the rest is in the entrance, on the staircase.

In recent years, installers from Internet service providers have shown obvious negligence in performing their duties. Cables are laid without additional protection with casings and in easily accessible places. Any hooligan with a penchant for vandalism passing by experiences an irresistible desire to pull the rope hanging from above and immediately deprive the entire floor of access to the Internet.

Therefore, first of all, be sure to control the entire installation process of cable Internet, require the provider’s employees to carry out all operations in accordance with GOST and in a protective manner.

The next subtle point is the internal cable wiring. If children and pets live in the apartment, a situation of increased danger is created. It is advisable to place wires in inaccessible places. Cats and dogs simply love to gnaw, bite and tear all sorts of strings. At the same time, electric fields are for some reason very attractive to pets.

1. Carefully trace the network cable in all visible areas of the installation. If damage is detected, it is best to immediately replace the entire unusable piece.
2. Check to see if the plugs have fallen out of the socket. Remove the connector and insert again. You should hear a closed lock click.
3. Carefully inspect the connector contacts. If broken or bent contacts are visible, the connector must be replaced.

You can finally check the functionality of the network cable by connecting another computer. If the Internet appears, it means that everything is in order with the cables and you need to look for faults in the computer.

Computer problems

It is assumed that the problem is in the system unit or operating system of the computer. Do not rush to open the system unit immediately. The most common reason is broken Windows settings.

Go to Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Network and Sharing Center and change the settings

If the Internet worked fine before, you can assume that rolling back the operating system to one of its previous states may solve the problem. Often the Internet stops working after excessively active surfing on the Internet, especially when visiting suspicious sites and without an antivirus installed.

If the rollback does not help, open the Internet connection interface and diagnose the network connection. Check that your network connection settings are correct. Sometimes the reason that the network card does not see the cable is that the Internet speed limit is set incorrectly. Check and adjust according to instructions.

If you need to indicate Internet settings in specific numbers, you need to contact your Internet provider and get all the necessary information for a specific network connection.

Driver problem

Network card drivers are another weak point, often leading to problems with Internet reception. Where can I get these programs and how to install them correctly? A complete set of necessary drivers is located on the Windows operating system distribution disk.

Sometimes it makes sense not to bother searching for specific programs, but to reinstall the entire Windows operating system at once. In this case, all computer settings and settings will return to factory settings, and all necessary drivers will be installed again.

The main obstacle to using this method is the almost inevitable loss of all user settings on the computer and the need to spend time re-installing all working applications. Usually, they resort to reinstalling Windows in cases where the system itself begins to not work very well, slows down, glitches, and often crashes.

You can try a less drastic solution - run automatic system updates. However, if you do not have the latest version of Windows, technical support may already be repainted and no update is available. The situation is approximately the same with left-wing versions of Windows. An attempt to update them will inevitably lead to the destruction of the installed system.

You can download the necessary drivers from the Internet. This path is suitable if you have other computers at home with working Internet. Go to the official website of the network card manufacturer, find your model and find out which divers you need. Download them and save them to a flash drive or DVD. After this, you can go to the Computer Control Panel and install drivers using the Wizard.

Conclusion. If you still fail to match the network cable with the card, and the Internet still does not turn on, all you have to do is turn to specialists for help.

Internet providers provide customers with the opportunity to use unlimited Internet with high connection speeds. The traffic provider runs the cable into the apartment and connects it to the router. Laptops, tablets and smartphones have a wireless signal receiver - they work via Wi-Fi.

Desktop computers are connected to the Internet using a special cable, twisted pair. Sometimes after the system boots, a red cross appears in the notification bar near the computer icon, and the network does not work. You can find out the cause of the problem yourself.

Correct connection

First of all, you should check whether the cable is actually connected to the appropriate port on the computer and router. The motherboard has a network connector - Ethernet, where you need to insert the power cord connector. In the router, the patch cord is connected to one of the LAN ports. They are usually yellow in color. Mechanical damage to the connectors on the PC or router also prevents the signal from passing through the cable. In some cases, such breakdowns can be determined visually.

You also need to inspect the wire (for visible damage or kinks) and check the integrity of the plug. If defects on the power cord are noticeable, it is better to replace the cable or re-crimp it. Crimping is done using a special tool - a crimper. It is important to follow the standards of procedure, otherwise the cable will not work at all or the error rate during packet transmission will be high. This task is best handled by professionals.

Router performance

After checking the integrity of the cable and the correctness of its connection, pay attention to whether it is possible to use the Internet from other digital devices. If the network does not work throughout the apartment, there may be several reasons:

• the payment deadline for the provider’s services has arrived;
• network problems occurred with the Internet provider;
• The router is faulty.

The first two factors can be easily eliminated by calling the technical support of the company that provided the Internet connection. An employee will be able to provide information about a possible debt or explain the reasons for the failure when supplying traffic to clients. If there are no problems with the ISP, check if the router is working. To get started, simply restart your device. Sometimes the network settings go wrong, and after a restart everything returns to normal.

Several indicators light up on the working router. Equipment breakdown is indicated either by the absence of an indication or by the glow of only the “POWER” light. If the corresponding indicator does not light up when you connect the patch cord to the LAN port, try connecting the cable to a different connector. One of the router ports may have burned out. The last way to check the functionality of the router is to connect the Internet cable directly to the LAN port of the computer. If the network works, go to the store to buy a new router.

Computer problems

If during the verification process it becomes clear that the provider and router are fully performing their functions, it is worth checking the health of the computer. The PC may not see the connected cable for a number of reasons:

• failure or breakdown of the network card;
• incorrect Internet connection settings;
• infection of the system with viruses.

First of all, you need to go to Device Manager and check the status of the network card. Right-clicking on the “My Computer” icon will take you to a drop-down menu where you need to go to “Properties”. In the window that opens, you will see the required menu on the left. In Device Manager you need to find your network equipment.

In the “Network Adapters” tab, there may be an exclamation mark next to the faulty device. You need to download the appropriate driver from the official website and install it. After this, you need to restart the computer and check if the network is detected. Sometimes there is no information about the installed network device in the Manager. In most cases, this means physical failure of the part. If all equipment is defined as working in Device Manager, but there is still no Internet, check your network settings.

Correct wired connection setup

You can check your computer's network software settings in the control panel. You can access this menu in any way:

1. Click on the “Start” menu and select “Control Panel” from the list that opens.
2. Open the “Run” window by pressing the Win + R keys and in the window that opens, enter “control” and then click “OK”.
3. In the search box located on the taskbar, enter “Control Panel” and the system will offer the desired menu.

In the “Control Panel” you need to go to the “View network status and tasks” menu. Then go to the “Change adapter settings” tab. If the status next to the icon is “Disabled”, right-click and change the setting to “Enable”.

If the measures taken do not produce results, then in the same “Change adapter settings” menu, right-click on the desired connection and go to “Properties”. In the window that opens, you need to go to the properties of the TCP/IP protocol, where you need to check the boxes “Obtain an IP address automatically” and “Obtain a DNS server address automatically.” After that, click "OK" and restart your computer.

In some cases, on the contrary, you need to manually enter the IP address and DNS server address. This needs to be clarified with your provider. By setting the settings in accordance with the requirements of the supplier company, you will achieve the correct connection to the network.

If none of the above methods help, try another method. Scan the system with any antivirus to identify possible computer infections. Some viruses can block access to the network adapter and make it inoperable.

The inability to connect to the Internet can cause a lot of inconvenience. The most common solutions are presented in the article. But if none of the measures taken has led to a positive result, contact your provider's support service.