When turning on a computer, it is normal that the Operating system will load all necessary drivers to run specific devices, one of the main ones would be the Ethernet adapter, which is in charge to provide connectivity with any type of network.
If your adapter is not running automatically on startup, then you might want to start by checking if there’s a software causing conflicts. There’s one specifically called Bonjour which comes included with Apple iTunes, Adobe Suite, among others applications that is very common to cause this issue.
Bonjour locates devices such as printers, other computers, and the services that those devices offer on a local network using multicast Domain Name System (mDNS) service records. This is a feature that is not essential for all users.
Method 1: Removing the software through run box
Update 2013/12/31: Newer versions of Bonjour can just be uninstalled from “Programs and Features” (Add/remove programs). However, each time you update iTunes you have to remove it again.
- Press and hold the Windows Key + R and type down the following command.
“%PROGRAMFILES%\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe” -remove
- Press and hold the Windows Key + R and type down the following command.
regsvr32 /u “%PROGRAMFILES%\Bonjour\mdnsNSP.dll”
After you restart, you can safely delete the Bonjour folder without errors.
Method 2: Disable Bonjour Service
- Press and hold Windows Key + R and type down “services.msc” without the quotes.
- Look for the service named “Bonjour”. Sometimes it will show up as “##Id_String1.6844F930_1628_4223_B5CC_5BB94B879762##”
- Double click on the service, stop it and then set the startup type as disabled.
- Restart your computer.
Method 3: Uninstall from Control Panel
- Open the start menu and open the Control Panel
- Select Program and Features.
- Look for Bonjour and select uninstall.
- Restart your computer.
If removing Bonjour did not resolve the issue, then reinstalling the drivers for the Ethernet adapter could remove any type of conflict with software and resolve the issue.
Method 4: Reinstalling driver for the Network Adapter
- Hold the Windows Key and Press R. Type control panel and Click OK
- Open Device Manager.
- Display the network adapters, right click on the one with the issue, and uninstall.
- You will be prompted to remove the software, click Yes.
- Restart your computer.
- Once the computer is back on, visit the manufacturer of your motherboard website and download the most updated Ethernet driver.
- Install the downloaded driver, and restart the computer to see if the problem was fixed.
Last but not least, if the issue presented is not related to a software or driver conflict, then it is very possible that it is hardware related.
Method 5: Replacing Network Adapter
- Confirm what type of Network Adapter you will be buying depending on the slots available in your motherboard (PCI, PCIe, USB, mSATA).
- Go into the start menu, open Control Panel, search for device manager, select the current network adapter, right click it and disable
- Purchase the Network adapter from your preferred location and Install
- Once installed, go to the manufacturer website of the device and download the most updated drivers.
- Install the drivers, and restart your computer.
