Troubleshooting the driver of the Linksys wireless USB adapter on a Windows computer

Setting up the Linksys WUSB6300 v2 and Linksys WUSB6400M is quick and easy but if the adapter is not available for Wi-Fi connection, there are a few things you can check and try to resolve the issue.

The images and steps may vary if you are using the Linksys WUSB6300 v1.

Things to check for:

Are the drivers installed successfully? Check the Device Manager. If the adapter shows under Other Devices, this usually means that Windows® failed to install the driver. You will need to update the drivers manually through the Device Manager or you can try to install them automatically using Windows Update. Follow the steps below:

1. Open the Device Manager. In the lower left-hand side of your computer, enter Device Manager in the Search field. In the search results, click on Device Manager.

2. If an unrecognized adapter shows in Other devices, install the drivers manually; if the adapter shows under Network adapters, the drivers are installed.

Other devices

Network adapters

Is the adapter disabled? In Device Manager, if the adapter is showing under Network adapters with a down arrow icon, it is disabled. You will need to enable it. Followthe steps here.

Is the adapter not being recognized at all in Device Manager? Try another USB port.

Installing the drivers manually through Device Manager
Updating the drivers automatically via Windows Update
How to enable the Linksys wireless USB adapter

Installing the drivers manually through Device Manager

1. In the lower left-hand side of your computer, enter Device Manager in the Search field. In the search results, click on Device Manager.

2. If there is a problem with the device driver, it will appear as partially installed under Other devices with an exclamation mark.

QUICK TIP: Try unplugging the adapter and reconnecting it to see if this resolves the problem first. If the adapter was plugged in first before running the setup wizard, this can occur, and reconnecting the adapter can resolve the issue since the drivers are already installed. However, if this doesn’t resolve the problem continue below.

Right-click on the wireless USB adapter and select Update driver.

3. Select Browse my computer for driver software.

4. Click on the Browse button and select the driver for your operating system. Then, click OK.

5. Click Next to install the driver.

6. Click Close.

Once the driver has been installed, the adapter will appear under Network adapters.

Updating the drivers automatically via Windows Update

If your computer has the latest Windows update, it should detect the drivers or the available updates as long as it has an internet connection.

1. In the lower left-hand side of your computer, enter Device Manager in the Search field. In the search results, click on Device Manager.

2. If there is a problem with the device driver, it will appear as partially installed under Other devices with an exclamation mark.

Right-click on the wireless USB adapter and select Update driver.

3. Select Search automatically for updated driver software.

NOTE: If the driver failed to install or if no drivers were detected, your computer needs to access the internet to check for updates. If your computer has a built-in wireless adapter, make sure that the adapter is connected to the Wi-Fi, and try these steps again to install the driver.

4. Check the adapter. Once the driver has been installed, the adapter will appear under Network adapters.

How to enable the Linksys wireless USB adapter

Follow the steps below to make sure that the adapter is enabled and installed properly on your computer.

1. On your computer, go to Device Manager. If the Linksys adapter shows a down arrow icon, this means your adapter is currently disabled.

2. Right-click on the adapter and click on Enable device.

3. Your adapter is now enabled and ready to connect to the Wi-Fi.