If the appropriate driver for the Network (Ethernet/LAN) controller is not installed properly or is corrupted, the Network Adapter Code 31 error in Device Manager may occur in a Windows-based computer (Windows 10, 8, 7, or Vista). In the “Device status” information box, the full description of the “code 31” error is: “This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device. (Code 31)”. In this article we will try to teach you how to Fix Network Adapter Error Code 31 on Windows 11.
If you receive the error Code 31 on computer Network Adapter, it is likely that you have not installed the correct network adapter driver or that the device driver is corrupted. Ethernet Adapter error code 31 can also be displayed if the registry contains an invalid/corrupted network key. The Device Manager error code 31 is one of several. It is caused by a variety of factors that prevent Windows from loading the driver for the specific hardware device. Regardless of the underlying cause, troubleshooting an error Code 31 is relatively simple.
If you see error code 31 in Devie Manager for Network Adapter or Ethernet Controller, it means that the drivers have become incompatible or corrupted, resulting in this error. When you encounter error code 31, you will receive an error message stating “Device not working properly,” and you will be unable to access the device, in short, you will be unable to access the Internet. Below we have mention the steps to resolve Network Adapter Error Code 31 on Windows.
5 Ways to Fix Network Adapter Error Code 31 on Windows 11
Reset the Network Adapter
- Open Windows setting.
- click on Network & Internet
- Go to the right pane and click Advanced network settings
- On the next settings page, go to the right pane and scroll down
- Click Reset Network and then click Reset Now
Update Network Adapter Driver
- Open settings
- Click Update & security
- Click Windows Update
- Click the Check for Updates button
- Click the View Optional Updates option
- Click the Driver Updates tab
- Select the driver you want to update
- Click the Download and Install button.
- After that, restart Windows PC.
Fix Corrupted System Files
- Use the following command and press Enter:
- Reboot computer.
- If SFC returned an error, then use the following command lines, pressing Enter after each:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealthDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealthDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Run Network Adapter Troubleshooter
- Click Start Menu and go to Settings
- Click System and then click Troubleshoot on the right
- Click Other Troubleshooters and locate Network Adapters option
- Click the Run button next to it
Edit the Registry and Reinstall the Driver
- Type regedit and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor
- Navigate to the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlNetwork
- At the location, on the right pane, right-click on the Config key REG_BINARY type
- Select Delete from the context menu
- Exit Registry Editor
- Open Device Manager and expand Network Adapters
- Right-click your network driver and select Uninstall device
- Download the latest version of your network driver from your computer manufacturer’s official website.
What is Network Adapter Code 31 error
A network adapter, also known as a network interface card (NIC), is a piece of hardware that allows a computer to connect to a network. A network adapter’s primary function in Windows is to provide a connection between the computer and the network, allowing the computer to communicate with other network devices and access network resources such as the Internet.
When this Device Manager Error Code occurs on your computer in either network adapter, you will first see the corresponding device appear in Device Manager with a yellow exclamation mark sign (which can also appear for the Unknown device error) next to it. When you check the network card’s properties, you will see the full description of the error in the Device status information box that reads.
The code 31 error message indicates that the reason this device did not function normally is because the driver was not properly installed on Windows 10. In other words, the main cause of the code 31 error is a driver problem, either a missing driver or corrupted or outdated drivers. With this error, you cannot connect to the WIFI or the WIFI is unavailable, which can cause significant problems.
Details on Device Manager error codes such as Code 31 can be found in the Device Status section of the device’s properties. The Code 31 error can occur on any hardware device in Device Manager, but it is most common on optical drives such as CD and DVD drives. A Code 31 Device Manager error can occur in any of Microsoft’s operating systems, including Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and others.
Final Words
So, here we conclude our article on methods to Fix Network Adapter Error Code 31 on Windows 11. In Windows, the network adapter error code 31 is one of several Device Manager error codes. “This device is not functioning properly because Windows is unable to load the necessary drivers. (Code 31)”. Don’t be discouraged if you encounter the ethernet adapter error code 31 as well. It is not a difficult problem to solve. If you are facing the similar issues and want to know how to resolve this problem then follow the steps mentioned above. If the problem still resides then you may also go to their official website and ask for more solutions.
I hope you understand this article, How to Fix Network Adapter Error Code 31 on Windows 11.
