The classic trap: Windows is fresh, but there is no network, so you cannot download the network driver. The way out is to bring the driver with you on a USB stick — ideally prepared before you wipe the PC.
Windows includes many network drivers, but not all. Newer Wi-Fi chips, some laptop Ethernet controllers and older adapters often need a driver the install media does not have. Until it is installed, Network & internet shows no Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Best case, export your current network driver first:
pnputil /export-driver * D:\Drivers (Windows 10 1607 or newer, administrator Command Prompt), then keep D:\Drivers on a USB stick.
Rain Driver's Rescue Bundle does this and adds a restore script that installs network drivers first.
In Device Manager look under Network adapters and Other devices. If the adapter is unknown, open Properties → Details → Hardware Ids and note the PCI\VEN_xxxx&DEV_xxxx line. On another PC, search your PC maker's support page for your exact model, or the chip maker's page using that vendor ID. Download the network (LAN / Wi-Fi) driver to a USB stick.
Plug the stick into the new install, open an administrator Command Prompt and run:
pnputil /add-driver E:\Drivers\*.inf /subdirs /install
Replace E: with the stick's letter. If the driver came as a .exe installer, run it instead. A phone with USB tethering also works as a temporary network on most PCs.
Once the network works, run Windows Update and install the remaining drivers from the PC maker's page. Then check Device Manager once more for yellow warnings.
Rain Driver does the export, checksum and restore steps for you — but every step above works without it.
Last updated: 2026-10-01
Usually yes. Connect a phone with USB tethering on; Windows often has a built-in driver for it.
No. Any compatible driver for that adapter and Windows version is enough to get online; update it afterwards.
Export, verify and restore the drivers you actually need.
What it means and the safe order to fix it.
Driver, firmware or hardware? A safe way to tell.
Free, no account, no subscription. Windows 10 and 11.