Realtek network adapter borked after Windows Update

I recently ran a Windows Updates for my wife's computer. After shutting down and rebooting her PC the network adapter refused to recognize that an ethernet cable was connected. The adapter is showing as enabled and she is able to connect to the network via Wireless adapter when it is plugged in.

Thing I have tried so far:

1. Swapping the cable for a known working cable (tested with my PC).
2. Rolling back to previous network adapter drivers (rollback button was greyed out and unavailable).
3. Downloading the latest drivers for her network adapter (Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller).
4. Restoring system to a previous restore point prior to the Windows Updates (4 days prior, no change).

Here is a list of the Windows Updates that were applied:

• Definition Update for Microsoft Security Essentials - KB2310138 (Definition 1.199.2571.0)
• Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 11 for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3058515)
• Update for Windows 7 for x64-based systems (KB3054476)
• Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool x64 - June 2015 (KB890830)
• Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB063858)
• Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3057839)
• Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3059317)
• Update for Windows 7 for x64-based systems (KB3068708)
• Update for Windows 7 for x64-based systems (KB2952664)
• Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB3033890)
• Definition Update for Microsoft Security Essentials - KB2310138 (Definition 1.199.2667.0)

The next step I was going to try was going through and individually removing all of the updates above, but none of them seemed particularly relevant to her Realtek adapter. I figured I would check here and see if anybody had any better ideas before moving forward with that.

Thanks!

 

Hey Musksnipe, thanks for your quick reply.

• OS is Windows 7
• PC is custom built and the mother board is:
  
  Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd
  Model: GA-970A-D3​
• Realtek Network Adapter driver version: 7.89.716.2014

Please let me know if you need anything else. Thanks again!

-Darkflyer

 

I've had something similar happen with Microsoft Update and my Realtek audio drivers. The updated driver was no good, and I had to manually roll back the driver to the previous version.

That's what you need to do. Find the driver properties dialogue for your Ethernet adapter and roll back the driver. It's a selection you make in the dialogue. My guess is that rolling it back will solve you're problem.

 

Thanks for the reply and suggestion. Unfortunately, like I mentioned in my initial post the rollback driver button in the driver properties is greyed out and not available.

 

Will try this first thing in the morning and let you know. The Windows Update may be a red herring, could be something completely different causing this. It seemed related since it started after the reboot after updates were applied.

 

Sorry for the late update and thanks to anybody still reading! Uninstalled the following updates:

KB3054476
KB3068708
KB2952664

No change to my wife's Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller. Still showing as "network cable unplugged". It's possible that the Windows Updates are a red herring and something is the culprit. Don't know!

Any help would be appreciated.