What is a network device driver?

EnglishCreated with Sketch.
EnglishFrench
  • Join  Lenovo Pro Business Store

    Log In / Sign Up

    Learn More

  • Accessibility
  • Sales:

    Home:

    1-855-253-6686 Option #2

    Business:

    1-866-426-0911

    Chat Now >

    Visit Sales Support Page >


    Order Support:

    Order Lookup >

    Visit Order Support Page >

    Technical Support >

Lenovo
All
  • All
  • Laptops
  • Desktops
  • Workstations
  • Monitors
  • PC Accessories & Electronics
  • Tablets
  • Servers & Storage
  • Servers Accessories
  • Sign In / Create Account
    My Lenovo Account
    Keep track of your wishlist, orders, and rewards all in one place
    Sign In / Create Account
    Welcome Back!
    Access your order, subscriptions, saved carts, rewards balance, and profile
    View My Account
    Orders
    View & track your orders
    Rewards
    Earn & redeem Rewards
    Profile
    Edit name, password, and account settings
    Wishlist
    Manage a wishlist of your favorite products
    Products
    Manage your devices, accessories
    Product Registration
    Register your product and/or update your warranty dates
    Lenovo Family Hub
    Manage your family's orders all in one place
    Sign Out
  • My Lenovo Rewards
  • Cart
  • Products
  • Solutions
  • Services
  • Support
  • About Lenovo
  • Deals
  • Business
  • Student
  • Gaming
  • AI
  • Hybrid Cloud
  • Digital Workplace
  • Edge
  • Sustainability
  • TruScale
  • Solutions by Industry
  • Alliance Partners
  • Other Solutions
  • Resources
TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE
DISCONTINUED
Temporary Unavailable
Cooming Soon!
. Additional units will be charged at the non-eCoupon price. Purchase additional now
We're sorry, the maximum quantity you are able to buy at this amazing eCoupon price is
Sign in or Create an Account to Save Your Cart!
Sign in or Create an Account to Join Rewards
View Cart
Remove
Your cart is empty! Don’t miss out on the latest products and savings — find your next favorite laptop, PC, or accessory today.
item(s) in cart
Some items in your cart are no longer available. Please visit cart for more details.
has been deleted
Please review your cart as items have changed.
of
Contains Add-ons
Subtotal
Proceed to Checkout
Yes
No
Popular Searches
What are you looking for today ?
Trending
Recent Searches
Items
All
Cancel
Top Suggestions
View All >
Starting at
  • Black Friday in July! Limited-time Doorbusters + Free shipping!  Shop Now >

  • My Lenovo Rewards! Earn 3%-9% in Rewards to use on future purchases at Lenovo.com Join for Free >

  • Business Financing Available. Split payments from 4 to 52 weeks, options as low as 0% interest. See Details >

  • Shopping for a business? New Lenovo Pro members get $100 off first order of $1,000+, exclusive savings & 1:1 tech support. Learn More >

  • Lenovo Live with Deepi: Black Friday in July + exclusive offer revealed on 7/16 @ 7pm ET! Register Today >

Home > Glossary > What is a network device driver?
Glossary Hero    
Learn More    
StarStar

Annual Sale

Lenovo Laptop SaleLenovo Laptop Sale

Laptop Deals

Desktop DealsDesktop Deals

Desktop Deals

Workstation DealsWorkstation Deals

Workstation Deals

ControllerController

Gaming PC & Accessory Deals

MouseMouse

PC Accessories & Electronics Deals

MonitorMonitor

Monitor Deals

Tablet and phoneTablet and phone

Tablets Deals

ServerServer

Server & Storage Deals

Discount tagDiscount tag

Clearance Sale


What is a network device driver?

When you're using a computer, a network device driver is essentially a program that controls the networking hardware in your machine. This driver allows your operating system to interface with the network card, facilitating communication between your computer and networks, like the internet or a local network. Without the correct driver, your network card won’t work properly, meaning you wouldn't be able to browse the web, access cloud services, or connect to other devices on a network.

What functions does a network device driver perform?

The network device driver's main job is to translate the generic networking commands of your operating system into specific commands for the network device. It handles the heavy lifting of data packets, directing traffic between your computer’s network interface card and the wider network. You can think of it as a translator that speaks both the language of your computer and the language of the network.

Can a computer function without a network device driver?

If you're trying to use a network, then no, a computer cannot function without the proper network device driver. While your machine will still operate, you won't have any network connectivity. So, if you're looking to surf the web, send emails, or stream videos, you’ll need that driver to be in place and functioning correctly.

How can I update my network device driver?

To update your network device driver, you'll typically want to go through the operating system on your computer. There's usually an option to check for the latest updates, which includes drivers. The system will either automatically fetch and install these for you, or you may need to manually download the latest driver and follow their installation instructions.

Could a wrong network device driver installation cause system issue?

Yes, installing the wrong network device driver can lead to system issues. You might notice that your network connectivity is unstable or nonexistent. In worst-case scenarios, the wrong driver could cause system crashes or prevent your computer from booting up correctly. It’s important to ensure that the driver you're installing is the right one for your network device and operating system.

What's the difference between a wired and wireless network device driver?

While both types of drivers perform the same basic function of facilitating communication between your computer and network, a wired network device driver is designed for ethernet connections, and a wireless one is tailored for WiFi networks. They're specialized to handle the specific requirements and protocols of the respective hardware, like dealing with radio frequencies in the case of WiFi, or managing a physical connection for ethernet.

Does the operating system come with built-in network device drivers?

Most modern operating systems come with a suite of built-in generic network device drivers that cover a wide range of the most used networking hardware. However, sometimes you might need to install drivers to take full advantage of all the features your network device offers or to improve performance and stability.

How do I know which network device driver my computer needs?

You can find out which network device driver you need by checking your computer’s hardware specifications. Once you know the make and model of your network card, you can look up the appropriate driver. Alternatively, your operating system can often identify the correct driver and either automatically install it or prompt you to download it.

Would using a virtual machine affect the network device driver?

When you're using a virtual machine (VM), it typically uses a virtual network device driver that communicates with the host machine’s actual network hardware. This means the VM doesn't use the network device driver from your physical hardware directly. However, the host's network driver still plays a crucial role because it's what the VM's virtual driver talks to for network services.

What's the relationship between a network device driver and the transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP)?

The network device driver and TCP/IP protocol stack work closely together to enable network communications. The driver handles the interaction with the network hardware, while the TCP/IP stack is responsible for the logical processing of network data according to the Internet protocol suite. The driver ensures that the data packets formatted by TCP/IP are correctly transmitted and received by the hardware.

How do I troubleshoot network device driver issues?

Troubleshooting network device driver issues often involves checking if the driver is up to date and looking for any error messages that could indicate what the problem is. Sometimes, you may need to reset the network settings or reinstall the driver. Diagnostic tools provided by the operating system can also help to identify and resolve driver-related problems.

How does the operating system communicate with the network device driver?

The operating system communicates with the network device driver using a software interface known as a system call. When you request a network operation, like loading a web page, the system call is used to send commands to the network device driver, which then interacts with the hardware to carry out the operation. The results are passed back to the operating system, which then renders the web page for you.

When does a network device driver load in the system?

A network device driver usually loads during the system's boot-up process. As the operating system initializes, it identifies connected hardware devices and loads the corresponding drivers. This process ensures that all hardware is ready to use by the time the operating system has fully started and user applications are running.

Can I use a network device driver from one operating system on another?

In most cases, you cannot use a network device driver from one operating system to another due to differences in how each operating system communicates with hardware. Drivers are typically specific to the operating system they were designed for, both in terms of the programming interface and the binary code used.

What role does a network device driver play in a server?

In a server, the network device driver plays a critical role in managing network traffic. Servers often handle a significant amount of data exchange over the network. A robust and efficient network driver is essential for maintaining high-performance networking, ensuring that the server can manage multiple connections without bottlenecks.

Looking for a Great Deal?
Shop Lenovo.com for great deals on A+ Education PCs, Accessories, Bundles and more.
Shop Deals Now

  • Shop
    • Student Deals
    • K-12 Student Laptops
    • Student Accessories
    • Laptops by Major
    Education resource
    Explore
    • What is STEM?
    • Best Laptops for College
    • Student & Teacher Discounts
    • Lenovo Sustainability Programs
    Education carry case

    Stem Articles
    See All STEM Articles
    • Online STEM Education

    • STEM Career Tips & Resources

    • Women in STEM

    • STEM Educator Training

    • STEM Grants & Funding

    • STEM Education: Coding for Kids

    • STEM Education: Robotics

    • STEM Education: Biotechnology

    • STEM Education: Sustainability

    • STEM Education: AI & ML

    While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, this glossary is provided for reference purposes only and may contain errors or inaccuracies. It serves as a general resource for understanding commonly used terms and concepts. For precise information or assistance regarding our products, we recommend visiting our dedicated support site, where our team is readily available to address any questions or concerns you may have.

    Why Lenovo?

    Go Greener with Leno...

    Lenovo is committed to Smarter Climate Action with lower energy laptops, use of sustainable materials and packaging, and available CO2 Offset Services.
    Learn More
    pastel background

    Get It Now, Pay For ...

    Lenovo has multiple financing option: the Lenovo Credit Card, installment plans, and lease-to-own financing op...
    Learn More
    pastel background

    Productivity & Peace of Mind

    Stay productive with Premium Care Plus - 24/7 priority support and coverage against accidental damage. Power through your day with our Smart Performance and extended battery solutions.
    Learn More
    pastel background

    My Lenovo Rewards

    Get up to 9% back in Rewards credit on all purchases! Join or Sign In to start earning today.
    Learn More
    pastel background

    Assistance and Suppo...

    Chat with a trained professional who can help you find the right products, place or check on an order, or setup your Education laptop.
    Contact Us
    pastel background
    Enter email to receive Lenovo marketing and promotional emails. Review our Privacy Statement for more details.
    Please enter the correct email address!
    Email address is required
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • instagram
    Select Country / Region:
    Country
    AndroidIOS

    About Lenovo

    • Our Company
    • News
    • Investors Relations
    • Compliance
    • ESG
    • Product Recycling
    • Product Security
    • Product Recalls
    • Executive Briefing Center
    • Lenovo Cares
    • Careers
    • Formula 1 Partnership

    Products & Services

    • Laptops & Ultrabooks
    • Smarter AI for You
    • Desktop Computers
    • Workstations
    • Gaming
    • Tablets & Smart Devices
    • Servers, Storage, & Networking
    • Accessories & Software
    • Services & Warranty
    • Product FAQs
    • Deals
    • Lenovo Coupons
    • Preconfigured Products

    Shop By Industry

    • Small Business Solutions
    • Large Enterprise Solutions
    • Healthcare Solutions
    • Higher Education Solutions
    • Education Discounts
    • Discount Programs

    Resources

    • Lenovo Pro for Business
    • My Lenovo Rewards
    • Lenovo Financing
    • Customer Discounts
    • Affiliate Program
    • Affinity Program
    • Employee Purchase Program
    • Lenovo Partner Hub
    • Laptop Buying Guide
    • Where to Buy
    • Glossary

    Customer Support

    • Contact Us
    • Shopping Help
    • Return Policy
    • Shipping Information
    • Track my Order
    • Register a Product
    • Replacement Parts
    • Technical Support
    • Forums
    • Provide Feedback
    © 2025 Lenovo. All rights reserved.
    PrivacySite MapTerms of UseExternal Submission PolicySales terms and conditionsAnti-Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement
    Compare  ()
    x
    Call

    Need Help? Call: 

    1-855-253-6686 Option #2
    Select Your Store
    Add items to your cart?
    We've noticed that you've entered a different store. Do you want to add these items to your cart in the new store?
    No Yes. Add in Lenovo Pro