The Ethernet option has completely vanished from my Lenovo Legion 5i 15IRX10. I've tried reinstalling the network driver, performing a Windows network reset, checking the BIOS, and updating both Windows and Lenovo Vantage. I also opened the laptop to inspect the hardware, but the port looks undamaged and clean. The port is rarely used, yet the wired connection no longer appears anywhere. Has anyone dealt with this before or found a reliable fix?
2 Answers
Some laptops have had their Ethernet chipset get stuck in an invalid state, potentially after a static discharge. Shut the laptop down, unplug the charger and any peripherals, then hold the power button for a few minutes to fully discharge the motherboard. Start it again and check whether the adapter returns. This may only be a temporary fix, and the issue could recur later.
A useful way to narrow this down is to boot a Linux live USB, such as Ubuntu, without installing it. If Linux detects the Ethernet port, the hardware is probably fine and the issue is specific to Windows; then you can completely remove and reinstall the Windows Ethernet drivers. If Linux also can’t see it, the problem is more likely hardware or firmware-related.
Since this is a laptop, should I disconnect the internal battery before doing the power-button discharge?