Sorry for the delay in reply. I've been offline.
Thanks for the clarifications.
That's unusual. Windows typically recognizes connected hardware immediately. A standard Plug-and-Play adapter should auto-install and appear under Network adapters. If the driver is missing, Windows should still detect the hardware and flag it as an Unknown Device or show a warning icon.
If the device does not appear in Device Manager at all, there are two likely causes:
- Power but no data: The adapter is receiving power, but its data lines are failing to communicate with the PC.
- USB port issue: The computer's USB port is faulty or dirty, preventing a proper connection.
Here are a few quick tests to narrow down exactly where the connection is breaking:
- Plug a different USB device (like a flash drive or a mouse) into that same USB port. Does the PC recognize it?
- If you have access to another computer, try plugging the adapter into it. Does it work there?
- Open Device Manager, then plug and unplug the adapter. Watch the screen closely; does the list briefly flash or refresh? (Even if no new device appears, a quick flash means Windows is at least detecting physical movement in the port).
Please share the results to help determine the next step!
Feel free to ask any questions you may have.