When I connect an Ethernet cable, the port light on the back of my PC turns green, but Windows continues using Wi‑Fi and does not recognize the wired connection. I have already reinstalled the LAN drivers, disconnected and reconnected the cable, and tried several troubleshooting steps. In Device Manager, the Ethernet controller only appears under Hidden devices, and its properties show: "Currently, this hardware device is not connected to the computer (Code 45)." The controller is enabled in the BIOS. Interestingly, disabling it in the BIOS, restarting, then enabling it again temporarily makes Ethernet work—but the problem returns after the next day. What could be causing this, and what would be a more permanent fix?
4 Answers
Make sure the Ethernet adapter is enabled in Windows as well as in the BIOS. If you have several networking utilities or third-party Wi‑Fi tools installed, they could be interfering. A clean reset would be to remove the wired and wireless adapters and their drivers, restart, install the wired driver first, confirm it works, and then reinstall the Wi‑Fi driver.
Since toggling the controller in the BIOS temporarily brings it back, this may be more than a Wi‑Fi priority issue. Check for BIOS updates and look for known Ethernet-controller problems with your motherboard model. If the controller keeps disappearing even after a clean driver install, the onboard network adapter could be failing, in which case a PCIe Ethernet card may be the most reliable solution.
In Device Manager, try uninstalling the hidden LAN controller and choose the option to remove its driver software if Windows offers it. Then restart the PC and install a fresh LAN driver from the motherboard manufacturer. Also test another Ethernet cable and inspect both the cable and port for dirt or physical damage.
Download the Ethernet or LAN driver directly from your motherboard manufacturer’s support page. Install the version listed for your exact motherboard model rather than relying only on Windows Update. The controller should not normally appear only as a hidden device.
Related Questions
Lenovo Thinkpad Stuck In Update Loop Install FilterDriverU2_Reload