Ethernet option disappeared

[WritingTheDream]

Recently I've been unable to use anything other than Wifi when connecting to the Internet. In my Network and Internet settings the Ethernet option is simply gone. I recently started using a VPN and I believe installing the software for that may have corrupted something. However, I've unistalled that software, did a network reset, uninstalled and reinstalled my drivers, etc. basically I'm saying I've tried the basics and haven't had any luck. I can give more details obviously, just wanted to lay out the gist.

 

[Gabriel Pike]

When you go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network Connections, is the ethernet adapter enabled?

 

[WritingTheDream]

It doesn't even appear on there, I only have Bluetooth and Wifi.

 

[Gabriel Pike]

If you click start and type device manager. Look under network adapters and see if it is listed. It may have something wrong with a driver. This will be indicated by a yellow triangle by the device listing.

 

[WritingTheDream]

If you click start and type device manager. Look under network adapters and see if it is listed. It may have something wrong with a driver. This will be indicated by a yellow triangle by the device listing.

Actually I didn't mention in the original post that I've done that and tried to uninstall/reinstall the driver. I may have read bad or advice or screwed that part up because I don't now how to get it installed again.

Btw, thanks for you quick replies, this issue has been driving me nuts for literally days.

 

[Gabriel Pike]

Did you delete the old one from device manager? If so and it did not show back up after a reboot you may need to go to the manufacturer for the driver package.

 

[WritingTheDream]

Actually, when I tried to install what I think I'm supposed to install this is what I get -

 

[Gabriel Pike]

You might be having a hardware issue. I would try a live boot linux cd/usb and if it does not show up then there is something probably wrong with hardware. If it does show up then something is borked in windows.

 

[WritingTheDream]

So I did a system restore and now I have this back in my device manager. It does say it is not connected. Suggestions?

 

[Gabriel Pike]

I would try a live boot option. It looks like your issue could be hardware. If the adapter does not show up and work in a linux live boot environment then it is probably hardware.

 

[WritingTheDream]

I'm having trouble getting a live boot environment set up. Any resources you could point me towards that might help me?

In the meantime, assuming it's a hardware issue what would suggest as my next step?

 

[Gabriel Pike]

USB Booting | Hiren's BootCD PE

Here is a guide to making a USB bootable for Hirens. I use hirens all the time to troubleshoot issues with hardware.

If this is a laptop then it will be difficult to get fixed. If it is a desktop your easy fix is to install another adapter. Another option is to use a USB to ethernet adapter.