There are many different driver error codes; some are not difficult to resolve, while others can prove a lot more troublesome, even the most technically proficient. Luckily error code 31 belongs to the easy-to-resolve category.

Sep 15, 2014  No Network Controller Found on clean install of Win 7 So my HP Pavilion dv6t-6c00 crapped out and the hard drive failed. I got a new hard drive and installed, only to discover my backup of my OS was flawed and couldn't be installed. I got a cheap copy online of a basic Windows 7 and used my own software key to activate, bur upon installing found. NOTICE: It needs network connection for Driver Easy help you update all the driver with one-click. But without Internet, you still can use its Offline Scan feature to update your network adapter drivers.

Error code 31 can occur with many hardware devices. However, it is most commonly seen with Ethernet cards. While irritating, error code 31 is not something you need to lose sleep over, because it can be quickly fixed by installing the latest Ethernet drivers.

Error Message

Network Controller Driver Not Found Windows 7Network Controller Driver Not Found Windows 7

Each error code is accompanied with an error message, which may or may not correctly point to the cause of the problem. The error message that one receives with error code 31 is:

“This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device (Code 31)”

How to see the error code 31 error message

Error code 31 is a device manager error code and, as such, is displayed in the Device status box, under the General tab in the device’s properties dialog box. In other words, a message on the desktop does not flash when this error occurs. To view error code 31, perform the steps listed below:

Network Controller Driver Not Found Windows 7 Download

  1. Click the Windows icon
  2. Type devmgmt.msc in the Start Search box
  3. Press Enter
  4. Double-click Network adapters in the Device Manager window to view all the network devices installed (when a problem with a hardware device occurs, an exclamation mark, a question mark, or a yellow triangle is displayed beside it)
  5. Double-click your Ethernet card
  6. The error code 31 will be displayed in its Device status box

Network Controller Driver Not Found Windows 7 64

Why error code 31 occurs

The most common reasons are:

Network Controller Driver Not Found Windows 7 1

  • Missing drivers
  • Outdated drivers
  • Corrupt drivers

How to fix error code 31 Ethernet controller driver

Network Controller Driver Not Found Windows 7 0

To fix this issue, you must download and install the latest Ethernet controller drivers. The most effective and quickest way of updating Ethernet controller drivers is by using a reliable and compatible driver update tool. Although you need to pay a subscription fee to use such applications, the good ones are worth their cost and are reasonably priced. To update drivers using such an application, all you do is download the software and follow the on-screen instructions. On the other hand, if you decide to update drivers manually, you need a follow a more involved process that involves the following steps:

Network Adapter Driver Missing Windows 7

  1. Write down the details of your Ethernet card (you can find the details from the device manager window or from the box in which the Ethernet card came or from the Ethernet card itself)
  2. Go to the manufacturer’s website
  3. Search for the latest driver for your Ethernet card
  4. If found (yes, you do not always get the required drivers on the manufacturer’s website!), download the drivers
  5. Install the new Ethernet card drivers
  6. Restart Windows