Realtek Network Controller Was Not Found: Why Dancing Sometimes Helps To Fix PC Problems
Today, I turned on my PC and for some reason my internet connection was disabled. It turned out that the realtek network controller was “not found” for some reason. Here’s why dancing sometimes helps to fix random computer problems.
Apparently, Realtek has an issue with the “Deep sleep” mode. The deep sleep mode allows computers to deactive devices to save power. Obviously, that is a VERY bad idea for network controllers which should never be disabled. In some cases, Windows will no longer be able to find the network adapter after entering the deep sleep mode.
Image: Network Connection Disabled
Windows could not find a driver for your network adapter
When you run the Windows 7 troubleshooter, it says “Windows could not find a driver for your network adapter“. Obviously, this can also happen when you are using an really old network adapter and Windows really doesn’t have a driver for it, then all you need to do is to get the driver from the manufacturer, but that can also be problematic because some may no longer exist.
The Windows troubleshooter also says, “The Realtek Network Controller Was Not Found. If Deep Sleep Mode is enabled Please Plug the Cable.” And that’s in fact a very helpful piece of advice as you will see.
Solution To Missing (Realtek) Network Controller
So, you turn on your PC and the network controller is not even listed in the device manager? Here’s the solution.
1. Turn off the PC, unplug the power cable!
2. Do a power dance for 10 minutes and finish it with a backflip! (No, I’m just kidding, simply wait for some time)
3. Turn on the PC and you’ll see that the network controller is working again. It’s magic!
4. IMPORTANT: To avoid this problem in the future, make sure to disallow the computer to turn off devices
The reason why this works is that some information are stored in your motherboard battery even after shutting down the computer. Also, to reset the network controller you need to unplug the power or it will remember the “device status”. It gets a lot more technical and there are more reasons why this works, but let’s keep this simple.
Still Doesn’t Work? Check For Corrupt System Files!
The network controller should then be listed in your device manager again. If that still does not work, I recommend to check your system files, maybe some of them are corrupt. I always use sfc.exe for that, find out more about the Windows System File Checker here: Repair system files
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Written by oliversk Thursday, March 17th, 2011
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Dear Oliver
I have this problem, and I have search and try everywhere Google lead me to anyone who have and try to solve this problem too. Apparently, the problem won’t be fixed. I even take all of my hardware out from my casing (to clean up as well) then put it back together.
I do the dancing-pull out power, RAM, clear CMOS, upgrade BIOS,repair system files, re-format the HDD and OS. the Realtek LAN still cannot be waken up.
Could you please suggest any other solution to repair this problem?
mobo Asus M4A785TD-V Evo
AMD Athlon II X4 620
4gg RAM
Win 7
Thank you very much
radical, how old is your motherboard? I would suggest to buy a PCI network card for about $10 in your next electronic store, it could be that your motherboard network adapter is damaged. This will save you a lot of trouble.
hey guys i found its solution and its truly worked..
step 1.. restart system, go to bios
step 2.. go to ”ADVANCED” from menu
step 3.. go to ”CHIPSET CONFIGURATION”
step 4.. go to ”PCI LATENCY TIMER”
step 5.. change its value according to your os bits.. e.g win 7 64 bits so set that value 64
thats all… it surely help you
Guys simple step which I tried aff going all through these dancing and other steps :D .
Go to Bios.
whateve short key it is displaying(most common f9) for setup default . Press that .
Then f10 to save changes and exit.
Problem solved