Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller: Driver Download and Fixes

If your PC uses a wired Ethernet connection, there is a good chance the port on your motherboard is driven by a Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller. Most of the time you never notice it. But when it fails, the symptoms are hard to miss: the network keeps dropping, Windows reports that no network is available, or Device Manager shows a yellow exclamation mark next to the adapter.

This guide explains what the controller does, why it causes trouble, and how to get your connection back.

What is the Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller?

It is the network chip, usually built into the motherboard, that handles your wired LAN connection. The name describes what it does: it connects the PCI Express (PCIe) bus inside your computer to a Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) network. From there, your router takes you onto the internet.

Like any hardware, the chip needs a driver so Windows can talk to it. Nearly every problem with it comes down to that driver.

Common Problems with This Controller

The Ethernet connection drops at random or after the PC wakes from sleep.
Windows says no network is available even though the cable is plugged in.
Device Manager shows a yellow warning icon on the adapter.
The adapter reports Code 10, Code 12 or Code 31 errors.

There are only two real causes: a software problem with the driver, or a faulty network chip. Start with the driver fixes, because they solve the problem in the vast majority of cases.

How to Fix Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller Problems

Reinstall the Driver

A yellow mark next to the device usually means the driver is missing or was not installed correctly. Removing it and letting Windows install a fresh copy is the quickest fix.

Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run box.
Type devmgmt.msc and click OK to open Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters, right-click Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller and choose Uninstall device.

Image source: drivereasy.com
Tick Delete the driver software for this device and click OK.

Image source: drivereasy.com
Open the Action menu and click Scan for hardware changes. Windows will detect the adapter and install a driver again.

Image source: drivereasy.com
Check whether your internet connection works.

If Windows installs a generic driver and the problem continues, download the latest driver from Realtek directly (see the download section below) and install it.

Go Back to a System Restore Point

If the connection worked fine until recently, perhaps until a Windows update or a new program, a restore point from before that change can undo it.

Press Windows + R, type rstrui.exe and click OK.
Click Next, choose a restore point from a date when everything was working, and finish the wizard.

Running rstrui.exe to open System Restore

Your PC will restart in the state it was in on that date. Your personal files are not affected.

Replace the Network Adapter

If none of the driver fixes help, the network chip itself may be dead. Fortunately, this is a cheap problem to solve. A PCIe network card costs very little; just check that it fits a free slot on your motherboard and supports the speed you need. If you would rather not open the case, a USB Ethernet adapter or a USB Wi-Fi adapter works just as well and plugs straight in.

Either way, whether the cause is software or hardware, the fix is free or costs very little.