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FIX: USB Wi-Fi adapter not detected in Windows 10/11

4 min. read

Updated onSeptember 12, 2024

updated onSeptember 12, 2024

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Key notes

The benefits of the Wi-Fi network over the LAN are obvious.

If you need Wi-Fi connectivity but don’t want cables,theUSB Wi-Fi adapterseems to be the best solution for you.

However, a lot of users have had a hard time with those, especially the unbranded ones. Namely, it seems that Windows 10 can’t recognize some of them.

For that purpose, we prepared a list of possible solutions in order to fix this and make your Wi-Fi adapter recognizable forWindows 10.

Make sure to move through the enlisted steps one by one, so we can resolve it together.

What can I do if the USB Wi-Fi adapter is not recognized?

1. Update driver through the system

2. Try an alternative USB port

After thousands of plug-in and unplug cycles, yourUSBportsmust suffer. Over time of extensive use, there’s a good chance that one of the availableportsis malfunctioning.

So, make sure to try out multipleportsbefore you discardhardwareas the possible issue instigator.USBportsare prone to malfunctions, so this is a common problem.

Luckily, every PC comes with multipleUSBportsso you’ll at least have a choice. If you have appropriate tools, you can check for the power outage.

3. Install proper drivers

Most of the contemporaryUSBWi-Fi adapters come with the support disk withdriverscompatible withWindows 10.

It’s uncertain whether the automatically installeddriverswill suffice, so it’s of the utmost importance to install thedriversprovided by the OEM.

If you’re missing the installation disk, you can find thedriversonline. The only thing you’ll need to do is to locate them manually.

Keep in mind that updating your drivers is an advanced procedure. If you’re not careful, you can cause permanent damage to your system by manually downloading the wrong driver versions.

Since updating drivers manually can be a long process, we recommend aprofessional driver updating toolthat will automatically update all your drivers for you.

Once installed, this software will check your installed driver versions against its cloud database of the latest versions and will download the updates automatically.

4. Check Power settings

A large chunk of power consumption on your PC goes toUSBportsand dedicated devices you’ve plugged in.

In order to reduce thepower consumption, Windows has some hidden power-related options that tend to suspendUSBin order topreserve battery life.

5. Disable theturn off this device to save poweroption

This is a crossover of Power settings anddrivers. Namely, every USB hub has it’s dedicated power settings. The idea is to disable certainUSBsin order to preserve power.

However, this can affect the devices connected viaUSB negatively, which can affect the Wi-Fi adapter performance or even trigger theerror code 10. Because of that, make sure to disable this option for all USB root hubs.

In case you found an alternative solution for USB Wi-Fi adapter issues inWindows 10, make sure to tell us in the comments below. We’ll be grateful for your valuable insights on the subject.

FIX: USB Wi-Fi adapter not detected in Windows 10/11#

What can I do if the USB Wi-Fi adapter is not recognized?#

1. Update driver through the system#

2. Try an alternative USB port#

3. Install proper drivers#

4. Check Power settings#

5. Disable theturn off this device to save poweroption#