How to Check Wi-Fi Driver Version in Windows 11

Thursday, September 10, 2026

Learn how to check Wi-Fi driver version in Windows 11 using Device Manager and PowerShell, including driver date and provider.

Knowing your Wi-Fi driver version can be useful when troubleshooting wireless connection problems in Windows 11. The driver controls communication between Windows and the wireless network adapter, so an outdated, incompatible, or problematic driver can sometimes cause connection instability, missing Wi-Fi options, or other wireless issues.

Windows 11 provides several ways to check your Wi-Fi driver information. The easiest method is through Device Manager, but you can also use PowerShell to display driver details from the command line.

In this guide, you will learn how to check the Wi-Fi driver version in Windows 11, how to find the driver date and provider, how to identify your wireless adapter, and how to determine whether you should update or reinstall the driver.

What Is a Wi-Fi Driver?

A Wi-Fi driver is software that allows Windows 11 to communicate with the wireless network adapter installed in your computer.

Your Wi-Fi adapter may be built into a laptop or motherboard, or it may be connected through USB or another interface. Common wireless adapter manufacturers include Intel, Realtek, MediaTek, Qualcomm, and others.

For example, a Wi-Fi adapter may appear in Windows as:

Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 160MHz

The adapter name identifies the hardware, while the driver information tells you which software version Windows is currently using to operate it.

Why Check Your Wi-Fi Driver Version?

Checking the driver version can help when diagnosing problems such as:

Wi-Fi disconnecting frequently
Wireless networks disappearing
Slow or unstable Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi not appearing after a Windows update
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi problems occurring together
A wireless adapter showing an error in Device Manager
Problems that started after a driver update
Checking whether a manufacturer's driver update was installed

Knowing the current driver version also makes it easier to compare your installed driver with the latest driver offered by your laptop, motherboard, or Wi-Fi adapter manufacturer.

How to Check Wi-Fi Driver Version Using Device Manager

The easiest way to check the Wi-Fi driver version in Windows 11 is through Device Manager.

Step 1: Open Device Manager

Press Windows + X.
Select Device Manager.

You can also press Windows + S, type Device Manager, and open it from the search results.

Step 2: Expand Network Adapters

In Device Manager, find:

Network adapters

Click the arrow next to Network adapters to expand the list.

You should see the network devices installed on your computer.

Look for the wireless adapter. Its name commonly contains terms such as:

Wi-Fi
Wireless
802.11
WLAN
Intel Wi-Fi
Realtek Wireless
MediaTek Wi-Fi
Qualcomm Wireless

Step 3: Open the Wi-Fi Adapter Properties

Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and select:

Properties

A new window will open with information about the wireless adapter.

Step 4: Open the Driver Tab

Select the:

Driver

tab.

You should now see several pieces of driver information.

What Information Is Shown on the Driver Tab?

The Driver tab can show information such as:

Driver Provider
Driver Date
Driver Version
Digital Signer

The most important value for this guide is:

Driver Version

For example, you might see something similar to:

Driver Provider: Intel
Driver Date: 05/15/2025
Driver Version: 23.50.0.6
Digital Signer: Microsoft Windows Hardware Compatibility Publisher

The exact values will be different depending on your Wi-Fi adapter and installed driver.

How to Check the Wi-Fi Driver Date

The Driver Date field tells you the date associated with the installed driver package.

For example:

Driver Date: 05/15/2025

This can help you determine approximately when the installed driver was released or packaged.

However, do not decide whether a driver is outdated based only on its date. Driver versions and release dates should be compared with the current driver offered by the device manufacturer.

Driver Version vs Driver Date

Driver version and driver date are related but different pieces of information.

Information	What It Tells You
Driver Version	The version number of the installed driver.
Driver Date	The date associated with the installed driver.
Driver Provider	The company or organization associated with the driver.
Digital Signer	Information about the entity that digitally signed the driver.

When checking for a newer driver, the driver version is usually more useful than simply looking at the date.

How to Check Wi-Fi Driver Version Using PowerShell

Windows 11 also provides a convenient PowerShell method for checking network adapter and driver information.

Open Windows Terminal or PowerShell, then run:

Get-NetAdapter

This command displays network adapters detected by Windows.

Depending on the system configuration, the output can include information about the adapter name, status, link speed, and other properties.

Show Wi-Fi Driver Version With PowerShell

To display driver-related information more directly, run:

Get-NetAdapter | Format-Table -View Driver

This is useful when you want to inspect driver information for network adapters from the command line.

Another useful command is:

Get-NetAdapter | Select-Object Name, InterfaceDescription, DriverVersion, DriverDate, DriverProvider

The result may look similar to:

Name        InterfaceDescription       DriverVersion  DriverDate   DriverProvider
----        --------------------       -------------  ----------   --------------
Wi-Fi       Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201     23.50.0.6      5/15/2025    Intel

Your output will depend on the Wi-Fi adapter and driver installed on your computer.

How to Check Only the Wi-Fi Adapter

If your computer has multiple network adapters, you can filter the PowerShell output.

For example:

Get-NetAdapter | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq "Wi-Fi"} | Select-Object Name, InterfaceDescription, DriverVersion, DriverDate, DriverProvider

If your wireless interface has a different name, replace Wi-Fi with the actual adapter name.

First run:

Get-NetAdapter

to see the names Windows is using.

How to Find the Wi-Fi Adapter Name

Before checking the driver, it is important to identify the correct wireless adapter.

In Device Manager, look under:

Network adapters

For example, your computer could have:

Intel(R) Ethernet Controller
Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 160MHz
Bluetooth Device

In this example, the Ethernet controller is the wired network adapter while the Intel Wi-Fi device is the wireless adapter.

If you want to inspect your network adapters more broadly, see How to Check Network Adapter in Windows 11.

How to Check Whether Your Wi-Fi Driver Is Working

Checking the driver version alone does not tell you whether the driver is functioning correctly.

In Device Manager, look at the Wi-Fi adapter icon.

If the adapter is operating normally, it should generally appear without a warning symbol.

If you see a yellow warning icon, right-click the adapter and select:

Properties

Then check the Device status section for an error message or error code.

Windows may provide additional information about why the device is not working correctly.

How to Update the Wi-Fi Driver From Device Manager

If you suspect that your Wi-Fi driver is outdated or problematic, you can check for an update through Device Manager.

Open Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters.
Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter.
Select Update driver.
Choose the available search option.
Follow the instructions shown by Windows.

Windows may report that the best driver for your device is already installed. That does not necessarily mean that no newer driver exists from the device manufacturer.

Check Windows Update for Optional Driver Updates

Windows 11 can also provide driver updates through Windows Update.

To check:

Open Settings.
Select Windows Update.
Select Advanced options.
Look for Optional updates.
If driver updates are available, review the available options.
Install the appropriate Wi-Fi driver update if needed.

Optional driver updates are not installed automatically in the same way as recommended updates, so you may need to select them manually.

Should You Download Wi-Fi Drivers From a Random Website?

No. Avoid downloading device drivers from unofficial driver-download websites when an official source is available.

For laptops, check the support page provided by the laptop manufacturer.

For desktop PCs, check the motherboard manufacturer's support page or the Wi-Fi adapter manufacturer's official website.

Before installing a driver, verify that it matches your exact hardware and Windows version.

How to Compare Your Driver With a New Driver

Suppose Device Manager shows:

Current Driver Version: 23.50.0.6

You then visit the official manufacturer support page and find a newer compatible package.

Compare the version information carefully before installing it.

Do not assume that a newer-looking date automatically means the package is compatible with your specific adapter.

The adapter model and supported Windows version are important when choosing a driver.

How to Check the Wi-Fi Driver After an Update

After updating the driver, you can verify the installed version again.

Open:

Device Manager
→ Network adapters
→ Wi-Fi adapter
→ Properties
→ Driver

Check the Driver Version and Driver Date fields.

You can also run:

Get-NetAdapter | Select-Object Name, InterfaceDescription, DriverVersion, DriverDate, DriverProvider

Compare the result with the version you recorded before the update.

What If the Wi-Fi Driver Update Causes Problems?

Sometimes a driver update can introduce compatibility or stability problems.

If your Wi-Fi connection became unstable immediately after a driver update, Windows provides a rollback option in Device Manager when a previous driver is available.

To check:

Open Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters.
Right-click the Wi-Fi adapter.
Select Properties.
Open the Driver tab.
Check whether Roll Back Driver is available.

Microsoft notes that administrator permission is required to roll back a driver.

How to Reinstall the Wi-Fi Driver

If the Wi-Fi adapter is experiencing driver problems, reinstalling the network adapter driver can sometimes help.

Before uninstalling the driver, it is a good idea to have a compatible driver available, especially if the computer may lose network connectivity after the driver is removed.

Open Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters.
Right-click the Wi-Fi adapter.
Select Uninstall device.
Follow the confirmation prompts.
Restart Windows 11.

Windows may detect the network adapter after restarting and attempt to install an appropriate driver.

If the computer cannot connect to the internet afterward, you may need to install a previously downloaded driver manually.

What If the Wi-Fi Adapter Is Missing From Device Manager?

If the wireless adapter does not appear under Network adapters, the problem may be more than simply an outdated driver.

Possible causes include:

The Wi-Fi adapter is disabled.
The driver is missing.
The device is not detected correctly.
A hardware problem exists.
The adapter is hidden in Device Manager.
A recent Windows or driver change caused the device to disappear.

You can first select View in Device Manager and check whether hidden devices are being displayed.

If the adapter still does not appear, check the computer manufacturer's support documentation and hardware information.

Wi-Fi Driver vs Wi-Fi Signal Strength

A good Wi-Fi driver does not guarantee a strong wireless signal.

Driver problems and signal problems are different.

Problem	Possible Cause
Wi-Fi adapter missing	Driver, hardware, or device detection problem
Frequent disconnects	Driver, interference, power management, router, or network problems
Weak signal	Distance, walls, interference, or router placement
Slow Wi-Fi	Signal quality, congestion, adapter capability, driver, or internet connection

You can also check your wireless signal strength using our guide on How to Check Wi-Fi Signal Strength in Windows 11.

How to Troubleshoot Wi-Fi After Checking the Driver

If your driver appears current but Wi-Fi is still unstable, continue troubleshooting other parts of the connection.

A practical sequence is:

Check the Wi-Fi adapter.
Check the driver version and date.
Check Wi-Fi signal strength.
Check your IP address.
Check the default gateway.
Ping the router.
Ping an external IP address.
Check DNS configuration.
Use Tracert to examine the network route.
Use Pathping when you need additional latency and packet-loss information.

This approach helps separate a driver problem from a local Wi-Fi problem, router problem, DNS problem, or wider internet connectivity issue.

Useful Commands for Wi-Fi Driver Troubleshooting

Here are several commands that can help you inspect your network configuration.

List Network Adapters

Get-NetAdapter

Show Driver Information

Get-NetAdapter | Format-Table -View Driver

Show Detailed Driver Properties

Get-NetAdapter | Select-Object Name, InterfaceDescription, DriverVersion, DriverDate, DriverProvider

Check IP Configuration

ipconfig

Check the Default Gateway

ipconfig | findstr /i "Default Gateway"

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check my Wi-Fi driver version in Windows 11?

Open Device Manager, expand Network adapters, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter, select Properties, and open the Driver tab. The Driver Version field shows the installed version.

What is the easiest way to check a Wi-Fi driver?

Device Manager is usually the easiest graphical method. PowerShell is useful when you want to quickly retrieve driver information from the command line.

Can I check the Wi-Fi driver using PowerShell?

Yes. You can use:

Get-NetAdapter | Format-Table -View Driver

You can also use Select-Object to display specific driver properties.

How do I know if my Wi-Fi driver is outdated?

Record your current driver version, then compare it with the latest compatible driver listed on the official support page for your laptop, motherboard, or Wi-Fi adapter.

Should I update my Wi-Fi driver if everything works?

Not necessarily. A driver update may provide compatibility, stability, or security improvements, but you should verify that the driver is intended for your exact hardware and Windows version before installing it.

Where should I download a Wi-Fi driver?

Prefer the official support website of your laptop, motherboard, or Wi-Fi adapter manufacturer. Avoid unofficial driver-download websites.

Can a Wi-Fi driver cause slow internet?

A problematic driver can contribute to wireless instability or performance problems, but slow internet can also be caused by weak signal strength, wireless interference, router issues, ISP problems, DNS issues, or other network conditions.

What should I do if my Wi-Fi adapter disappears?

Check Device Manager, restart Windows, look for hidden devices, check Windows Update, and verify the correct driver from your computer or adapter manufacturer's official support page.

Final Thoughts

Checking the Wi-Fi driver version is a simple but useful step when troubleshooting wireless problems in Windows 11.

The fastest graphical method is to open:

Device Manager
→ Network adapters
→ Wi-Fi adapter
→ Properties
→ Driver

From there, you can see the driver provider, driver date, and driver version.

If you prefer the command line, PowerShell can provide driver information with:

Get-NetAdapter | Format-Table -View Driver

When troubleshooting Wi-Fi, do not assume that every problem is caused by the driver. Compare the driver information with your hardware manufacturer's current release, and also check signal strength, IP configuration, default gateway, DNS, and network connectivity.

By combining these checks, you can more accurately determine whether a Windows 11 Wi-Fi problem is caused by the driver, wireless environment, router, or wider network connection.