Fixing RTL8153-VC-CG Ethernet Adapter Not Working After OS Update
Issue Analysis: The Realtek RTL8153-VC-CG Ethernet adapter is a popular USB-to-Ethernet converter commonly used to connect computers to wired networks. If the Ethernet adapter stops working after an operating system (OS) update, it could be caused by several factors related to compatibility, drivers, or settings.
The most common causes for this issue are:
Driver Incompatibility: The OS update might have installed a new driver that is incompatible with the RTL8153-VC-CG adapter. Driver Corruption: The update may have corrupted or removed the existing driver for the Ethernet adapter. OS Configuration Changes: OS updates often adjust system settings, including network configuration, which could disable the Ethernet adapter. Power Management Settings: OS updates can modify power settings that affect USB ports or devices, leading to the adapter not being recognized.Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Restart Your Computer Sometimes, a simple restart after an OS update can resolve issues with hardware detection. Ensure you restart your computer to see if that helps.
Step 2: Check Device Manager for Issues
Press Windows + X and select Device Manager. Expand the Network adapters section. Look for the RTL8153-VC-CG Ethernet Adapter. If there is a yellow triangle or error symbol next to the adapter, it indicates a problem with the driver. Right-click on the adapter and select Properties to check the error code or message. If it’s a driver-related issue, proceed to the next steps.Step 3: Update or Reinstall the Driver
In Device Manager, right-click the RTL8153-VC-CG Ethernet Adapter and select Update driver. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software. If Windows doesn’t find a new driver, visit the Realtek website and manually download the latest driver for the RTL8153-VC-CG adapter. To reinstall the driver: Right-click on the device and select Uninstall device. After uninstallation, restart your computer, and Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver automatically.Step 4: Roll Back to Previous Driver (If Available) If the issue started after the OS update and a driver update was also applied, you can try rolling back to the previous driver:
In Device Manager, right-click the adapter and choose Properties. Go to the Driver tab and select Roll Back Driver. Follow the on-screen instructions to revert to the previous driver.Step 5: Check Power Management Settings
In Device Manager, right-click on your RTL8153-VC-CG Ethernet Adapter and select Properties. Go to the Power Management tab. Uncheck the option that says, "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power." Click OK to save changes.Step 6: Disable and Enable the Ethernet Adapter
Open Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings. Right-click the Ethernet adapter and select Disable. Wait for a few seconds, then right-click the adapter again and select Enable.Step 7: Reset Network Settings
Open Settings > Network & Internet > Status. Scroll down and click Network reset. Click Reset now. This will reset all network-related settings to their default state, which can fix issues caused by the OS update.Step 8: Check for Windows Updates After a major OS update, there might be new patches or fixes available that could resolve the issue with your Ethernet adapter.
Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Click Check for updates. Install any available updates and restart your computer.Step 9: Test the Adapter on Another Device If the above steps don’t work, try connecting the RTL8153-VC-CG Ethernet adapter to a different computer. This will help determine if the issue is with the adapter itself or specific to your computer’s settings.
Conclusion: By following the steps outlined above, you should be able to troubleshoot and fix the issue of the RTL8153-VC-CG Ethernet adapter not working after an OS update. Start by checking the device manager for any driver issues, and then proceed with updating or reinstalling the driver. Also, ensure that power management settings are not interfering with the device. If all else fails, consider resetting your network settings or checking for any new Windows updates.