How to find out the brand of your laptop's Wi-Fi adapter: a detailed guide

Are you trying to update drivers, set up a dual-band router, or just want to know which one Wi-Fi adapter installed on your laptop? Without the exact model name, it is impossible to select the correct software or check compatibility with new standards (Wi-Fi 6, 6E) or diagnose connection problems. In this article, we'll cover All working methods for determining the brand and model of a wireless module — from standard Windows tools to disassembling the case for visual inspection.

Errors in adapter identification can lead to the installation of incompatible drivers, hardware conflicts, or even loss of network connection. For example, if you download a driver for Intel AX200, while the laptop has Qualcomm Atheros QCA61x4, the system will either refuse to install the software, or Wi-Fi will stop working altogether. Therefore, it's important to use multiple methods for cross-checking.

The article is relevant for all modern laptops (HP, Lenovo, Dell, Asus etc.) regardless of the year of release, as well as for operating systems Windows 10/11, macOS And Linux. If your adapter is built-in (on the motherboard) or removable (in the format M.2 or mini PCIe) - the instructions will work in both cases.

Method 1: Windows Device Manager

The fastest and most versatile method for Windows users is to use the built-in device ManagerIt shows all installed components, including network adapters, even if they are disabled or not working correctly.

To open Device Manager:

• 🖱️ Right-click on the button Start and select device Manager.
• 🔍 Find the section in the list Network adapters and unfold it.
• 📋 Look for devices with names containing Wireless, Wi-Fi, 802.11 or brands of manufacturers (Intel, Qualcomm, Broadcom and others).

If the adapter name contains abbreviations like AC (For example, Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265), this indicates support for the standard Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). Availability AX (For example, Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200) means compatibility with Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax).

⚠️ Note: The Device Manager may not display the full model name, but a simplified one (for example, Wireless-AC 9560 instead of Intel Wireless-AC 9560 Jefferson Peak). For precise identification, use Equipment ID (see next section).

Find the "Network Adapters" section|Identify the device with "Wireless" in the name|Write down the full model name|Check for driver availability (no exclamation mark)-->

2. Method: Hardware ID in adapter properties

When Device Manager shows an incomplete model name (e.g. Network Controller instead of a specific adapter), will help Equipment ID — a unique identifier by which you can find the exact model on the Internet.

Instructions:

1. Open device Manager (as in the previous method).
2. Find your Wi-Fi adapter, right-click on it and select Properties.
3. Go to the tab Intelligence.
4. In the drop-down menu Property select Equipment ID.
5. Copy the first line from the list (format: PCI\VEN_XXXX&DEV_XXXX).

Now enter the copied ID into a search engine (for example, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2723). The first search results usually lead to sites like PCI Database or forums where the exact model name is indicated. For example, for VEN_8086 (vendor) and DEV_2723 (device) it will be Intel Wireless-AC 9560.

Method 3: Command Prompt (Windows)

Suitable for experienced users or process automation command lineIt allows you to quickly obtain a list of all network devices, including hidden or disabled ones.

Run the following commands in order:

netsh wlan show drivers

This command will show the adapter name, driver version and supported standards (for example, 802.11n, 802.11ac). Look for the line Name.

wmic nic where "NetEnabled='true'" get name, manufacturer, description

This command will list all active network devices with their manufacturer (manufacturer) and descriptions.

If the adapter is disabled, use:

wmic nic get name, manufacturer, description

The results may look like this:

Name                     Manufacturer       Description
Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX200   Intel Corporation  Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX200 160MHz

⚠️ Note: In some Windows builds, the command wmic Wi-Fi adapters may not be displayed due to permission restrictions. In this case, run the command prompt as administrator.

ipconfig|ping|netsh|wmic|Other-->

4. Method: System Information (msinfo32)

Utility msinfo32 Collects detailed system configuration information, including network adapters. This method is useful if Device Manager doesn't show complete data.

How to open:

• 🔍 Click Win + R, enter msinfo32 and press Enter.
• 📄 Go to the section Components → Network → Adapter.
• 🔎 In the right part of the window, find your Wi-Fi adapter. Pay attention to the fields Name, Manufacturer And Description.

The advantage of this method is that it is often displayed here full name of the model, including revision (e.g. Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265, Rev=0x230). This is important for selecting the correct driver, as the same model may have several hardware revisions.

What to do if there is no data about the adapter in msinfo32?

If section Network → Adapter empty or does not contain Wi-Fi information, this may mean:

1. The adapter is physically disconnected (for example, the switch on the laptop case is in the on position) Off).

2. The driver is not installed or is damaged (it will be displayed as "Unknown device" in Device Manager).

3. The adapter is integrated into the motherboard and disabled in BIOS/UEFI.

Try enabling the adapter in BIOS or installing the driver manually (see section 6).

5. Method: Physical inspection of the adapter

If software methods do not help (for example, the adapter is not detected by the system), the solution remains disassemble a laptop and visually inspect the module. This is relevant for removable adapters in the format M.2 (key A+E or ) or mini PCIe.

How to find the adapter:

• 🔧 Disconnect the laptop from the power supply and remove the battery (if it is removable).
• 🔍 On the bottom cover, look for a small metal board with antenna wires (usually black and white).
• 🏷️ There should be a sticker with the model name on the adapter (for example, Intel 7265NGW or Broadcom BCM94360).
• 📏 Remember it or take a photo connector key (M.2 2230 A+E, mini PCIe etc.) - this will be useful when replacing.

Typical adapter locations:

• 💻 Under the keyboard (in most cases) Lenovo, HP).
• 🖥️ Under the bottom cover (in Dell XPS, Asus ZenBook).
• 🔄 In a separate compartment (for example, in MacBook Pro until 2015).

⚠️ Caution: When disassembling the laptop, use plastic spatula or a pick to avoid damaging the latches. Some models (for example, MacBook Air) have adhesive battery mounts - they need to be heated with a hair dryer for safe removal.

6. Method: Third-party utilities

If standard Windows tools don't provide enough information, use specialized programs. They will not only show the adapter model but also provide additional information, such as supported frequencies, maximum speed, and firmware version.

Popular utilities:

• 🛠️ HWiNFO - shows detailed information about all components, including PCI ID And technical specifications adapter.
• 🔧 AIDA64 (paid) - in the section Devices → PCI Devices You can find detailed information about network cards.
• 🌐 Speccy (from the CCleaner developers) - a simplified interface with visualization of the adapter temperature and load.
• 📡 WiFi Info View (from NirSoft) - specialized in Wi-Fi, shows MAC address, channel And signal strength.

Sample report from HWiNFO:

Adapter: Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 160MHz
Vendor: 8086 (Intel)
Device: 2723 (Rev 03)
Bus: PCI Express x1 5.0
...

The advantage of third-party utilities is that they frequently update their databases and can recognize even rare or new adapter models that Windows identifies as "Unknown Device."

Method 7: macOS and Linux

For users macOS And Linux Tools for identifying your Wi-Fi adapter model are also available. Let's look at the basic commands and utilities.

For macOS:

1. Open Terminal (Applications → Utilities → Terminal).
2. Enter the command:

   networksetup -listallhardwareports

   Search section Wi-Fi or AirPort (in older versions).

3. For detailed information, please use:

   system_profiler SPNetworkDataType

   It will be indicated here chipset (For example, Broadcom BCM43xx).

For Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, etc.):

1. Open Terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T).
2. Run the command:

   lspci -v | grep -i network

   or for USB adapters:

   lsusb

3. For detailed information about the module:

   lshw -class network

   (requires superuser rights, add sudo in front of the team).

Example output on Linux:

*-network
description: Wireless interface
product: Wireless 8265 / 8275
vendor: Intel Corporation
physical id: 0
bus info: pci@0000:03:00.0
logical name: wlp3s0
...

⚠️ Note: In Linux, the adapter name in the command output may differ from the marketing name (for example, Wireless 8265 instead of Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265). For precise identification, use PCI ID (see section 2).

Frequently Asked Questions

My adapter is identified as a "Network Controller" without a model name. What should I do?

This means the driver for the adapter is not installed. You need to:

1. Find Equipment ID (see section 2).
2. Identify the model on the website by ID PCI Database.
3. Download the driver from the manufacturer's official website (Intel, Qualcomm etc.) and install it manually.

If the adapter is new and there are no drivers yet, check for BIOS updates—sometimes this solves the compatibility issue.

How do I know if my adapter supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)?

Determine the adapter model (using any of the methods above) and check its specifications:

• Adapters with AX in the title (for example, Intel AX200, Qualcomm FastConnect 6800) support Wi-Fi 6.
• Models with AC (For example, Intel 8265AC) - This Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
• For an accurate check, check the specifications on the manufacturer's website or in utilities like HWiNFO (chapter Supported PHY Modes).

Is it possible to replace the Wi-Fi adapter in a laptop with a more powerful one?

Yes, but there are limitations:

• 🔧 Physical compatibility: The new adapter must fit the size (M.2 2230, 1216 etc.) and the key (A+E or E).
• 🖥️ BIOS/UEFI: Some laptops (especially Lenovo, HP) block unmatched adapters at the firmware level. Check the list of supported devices for your model.
• 📡 Antennas: Adapters Wi-Fi 6E (6 GHz) require special antennas. If they are not available, the new module will only operate on 2.4/5 GHz.

Before purchasing, check reviews on forums (for example, NotebookReview).

Why are there two Wi-Fi adapters showing in Device Manager?

It's normal if:

• 🔄 You have a hybrid adapter (for example, Intel Wireless-AC 9560 with support Bluetooth). They can be displayed separately in the Dispatcher.
• 🖧 An external USB Wi-Fi adapter is connected to the laptop.
• 📱 Mode enabled Miracast or Wi-Fi Direct, which creates a virtual adapter.

To distinguish the main adapter, look at Equipment ID or disconnect external devices.

How can I find out the adapter model if my laptop won't turn on?

In this case, only a physical examination remains:

1. Disassemble the laptop (see section 5).
2. Find the sticker on the adapter with the model name.
3. If there is no sticker, take a photo of the chip and look for the markings on the Internet (for example, Intel JF1 corresponds AX200).

You can also try finding the specifications for your laptop model on the manufacturer's website—sometimes a built-in Wi-Fi module is listed there.