It is necessary to install a BIOS update when it is available because it increases hardware compatibility and system stability. However, some users experienced issues with the internet after installing the BIOS update. If the Ethernet or WiFi is not working after a BIOS update in Windows 11/10, the solutions provided in this article will help you.
Ethernet or WiFi is not working after BIOS update in Windows 11/10
If the Ethernet or WiFi is not working after a BIOS update on your Windows 11/10 computer, use these fixes:
- Perform a Hard Reset
- Run Network and Internet Troubleshooter
- Reset BIOS to the default settings
- Clear CMOS
- Check if OnBoard LAN is enabled in BIOS
- Reinstall the Network card driver
- Reset your PC
All these fixes are explained below in detail.
1] Perform a hard reset
Hard reset your computer and see if it helps. To do so, follow the steps provided below:
- Turn off your PC or laptop.
- Unplug its power cord from the wall socket. If it is a laptop, disconnect its charger.
- Press and hold the power button for 30 seconds. Now, connect the power cord and turn on your computer.
See if the issue persists.
Read: PC won’t boot after BIOS Update
2] Run Network and Internet Troubleshooter
Network and Internet Troubleshooter is an automated tool that fixes network-related issues on a Windows computer. We suggest you run the Network and Internet Troubleshooter through the Get Help app and see if it helps.
Read: Audio not working after BIOS update
3] Reset BIOS to the default settings
Some BIOS settings might have changed after installing the latest BIOS update, which is why ethernet is not working on your system. We suggest you reset the BIOS settings to the default values and see if it helps. Before proceeding, note down all the custom BIOS settings so you can revert them after resetting the BIOS.
Read: Graphics card not working after BIOS update
4] Clear CMOS
You can also try clearing CMOS. To do this, you have to open your computer case or laptop.
Open it and locate the small silver coin-shaped battery. Remove it gently from the socket, wait for a few minutes, then reinsert the battery.
Read: Laptop battery not charging after BIOS update
5] Check if OnBoard LAN is enabled in BIOS
Check the OnBoard LAN setting in BIOS. If it is disabled, the ethernet connection will not work on your computer. Check this in your system BIOS. If such a setting is available in your BIOS, enable it. This option is available under the Onboard Devices Configuration setting in BIOS. However, this option may be different for you based on your manufacturer. To find this setting in your BIOS, refer to the official website of your computer manufacturer.
6] Reinstall the Network card driver
One possible cause of this issue is incompatibility. If your Network card driver is incompatible with the new BIOS update, you will experience internet connectivity issues. Reinstalling the Network card driver in such a case will help.
The following steps will help you with that:
- Open the Device Manager.
- Expand the Network adapters branch.
- Right-click on your Network card driver and select Uninstall device.
- Restart your computer or perform a scan for hardware changes.
Windows will reinstall the uninstalled driver. Now, check if the problem persists. If yes, download the latest version of the Network card driver from your computer manufacturer’s official website and install it manually.
7] Reset your PC
If the problem persists, you can reset your PC. This action will repair your computer. While performing the factory reset, select the “Keep my files” option. If nothing helps, the last resort is to contact support.
That’s it. I hope this helps.
Can BIOS affect Ethernet?
A BIOS update increases the hardware compatibility. However, in some cases, you may experience issues after installing the BIOS update, including ethernet compatibility issues. In such a case, uninstalling and reinstalling the Network card driver can help.
Read: The TPM could not be initialized after BIOS update
How to fix a corrupted Wi-Fi driver in Windows 11?
A corrupted WiFi driver causes internet connectivity issues on a Windows computer. To fix this problem, open the Device Manager and view the WiFi driver properties. Read the error code and troubleshoot the error accordingly. You can also try uninstalling and reinstalling the WiFi driver.
Read next: WiFi working but Ethernet not working in Windows.
