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Ethernet & LANRealtek

Realtek USB GbE Family Controller

This controller powers a large share of USB dongles and dock-based Ethernet ports rather than a soldered motherboard NIC. Because it rides on a USB or Thunderbolt link, its dependability depends partly on the host port and, on a dock, the dock's own firmware and USB stack. When such an adapter drops out, update the dock firmware and USB controller driver first, then this adapter driver, and try a port directly on the PC to rule the dock out.

Realtek USB GbE Family Controller driver family: Ethernet cable connected to a compact network switch with blue indicator lights.
Ethernet & LAN reference

Family profile

Documented Windows releases
Windows 10, Windows 11
Hardware category
Ethernet & LAN
Manufacturer
Realtek
Related families listed
14 in this category, 9 elsewhere from Realtek

Realtek USB GbE Family Controller at a glance

DetailWhat it means for you
Controller classUSB or dock-based gigabit adapter
Max link speed1 Gbps full duplex
Bus and portUSB or Thunderbolt, external RJ-45
Driver sourceAdapter driver, plus dock firmware beneath
Stability watchDepends on the host port and dock firmware
Common failure modeDrops out due to the dock, not the adapter driver
A quick read on what this family is and what to expect from its driver package.

How to tell this is what you have

  • Reads as Realtek USB GbE Family Controller
  • Backs a USB dongle or dock Ethernet port
  • Appears and disappears with the USB or dock connection

Worth knowing: Used by many USB and dock-based Ethernet adapters.

DriverHub US does not host driver files or bundle an updater. This page documents the Realtek USB GbE Family Controllerfamily; its citations are selected from the package-source policy recorded for this family.

Package path for Realtek USB GbE Family Controller

The family record names Adapter driver, plus dock firmware beneath as the package source. Match the package to the exact Realtek USB GbE Family Controller device signals on this page and to Windows 10, Windows 11. A family name alone is not enough when the publisher separates packages by model, hardware revision, or PC configuration.

Used by many USB and dock-based Ethernet adapters.

Shared identification, preparation, installation, verification, and rollback procedures are maintained on the complete ethernet & lan guide, rather than repeated on every family page. The citations below follow this family’s declared vendor, Windows, PC-maker, or motherboard-maker source policy.

Official sources and citations

These links go directly to the named publisher. Check the domain, exact model, Windows version, and package details before installing.

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Other ethernet & lan families to compare

Realtek USB GbE Family Controller next to the other 14 families in this category

FamilyManufacturerDocumented Windows releasesHow you recognize it
Realtek USB GbE Family Controller (this page)RealtekWindows 10, Windows 11Reads as Realtek USB GbE Family Controller
Realtek PCIe GbE Family ControllerRealtekWindows 10, Windows 11Reads as Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller in Device Manager
Realtek PCIe 2.5GbE Family ControllerRealtekWindows 10, Windows 11Reads as Realtek PCIe 2.5GbE Family Controller
Intel Ethernet Connection I219IntelWindows 10, Windows 11Reads as Intel Ethernet Connection I219 in Device Manager
Intel Ethernet Controller I225-VIntelWindows 10, Windows 11Reads as Intel Ethernet Controller I225-V
Intel Ethernet Controller I226-VIntelWindows 10, Windows 11Reads as Intel Ethernet Controller I226-V
Intel Ethernet Server Adapter I210IntelWindows 10, Windows 11Reads as Intel Ethernet Server Adapter I210
Dell Integrated LAN (OEM package)DellWindows 10, Windows 11Delivered as a Dell package matched to a Service Tag
HP Integrated Network Adapter (OEM package)HPWindows 10, Windows 11Located by HP product or serial number
Lenovo Integrated Ethernet (OEM package)LenovoWindows 10, Windows 11Matched by Lenovo machine type and model
ASUS Motherboard LAN Driver (OEM package)ASUSWindows 10, Windows 11Downloaded from a specific ASUS motherboard support page
MSI Motherboard LAN Driver (OEM package)MSIWindows 10, Windows 11Selected by exact MSI board model
Gigabyte Motherboard LAN Driver (OEM package)GigabyteWindows 10, Windows 11Chosen by exact Gigabyte or AORUS board model
ASRock Motherboard LAN Driver (OEM package)ASRockWindows 10, Windows 11Found on the specific ASRock board's support page
Acer Integrated LAN (OEM package)AcerWindows 10, Windows 11Located by Acer model or serial number
Use this when you are not certain which family your hardware belongs to.

Realtek

Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller

This is the single most common wired-LAN controller in consumer computing, integrated on a huge range of desktop boards and laptops as the standard gigabit port. It handles link negotiation up to 1 Gbps along with the usual offload and power-saving features. Because the same chip sits behind so many brand names, read the exact controller string in Device Manager, then on a branded machine fetch the version your PC maker validated rather than a bare Realtek build.

Realtek

Realtek PCIe 2.5GbE Family Controller

This is the multi-gig sibling of Realtek's gigabit part, found on newer motherboards that offer a 2.5 Gbps wired port. It falls back cleanly to 1 Gbps on older switches, so reaching its full rate requires 2.5 Gbps-capable networking gear and adequate cabling end to end. If the port negotiates at gigabit when you expect more, check the switch and cable before the driver, since the controller itself will step down automatically.

Intel

Intel Ethernet Connection I219

The I219 is Intel's integrated gigabit LAN found on a great many business desktops and laptops, valued for stable links and a mature driver. It commonly appears in fleet machines where consistent behavior matters more than raw speed. On such systems the OEM ships a validated build tied to the platform firmware, so prefer that over the generic Intel package to keep the link steady across power states.

Intel

Intel Ethernet Controller I225-V

The I225-V is Intel's first widely deployed 2.5 Gbps consumer controller, appearing on many enthusiast boards. Early revisions were notably sensitive to firmware and power-saving settings, which produced intermittent link drops on some systems. If you see that behavior, keep the controller firmware and driver aligned to the versions your board maker publishes and disable Energy Efficient Ethernet, which together resolve most of the reported instability.

Intel

Intel Ethernet Controller I226-V

The I226-V is Intel's refined 2.5 Gbps controller that succeeds the I225-V and is common on current motherboards. It addresses much of the earlier part's link-stability sensitivity while offering the same multi-gig speed. As with any multi-gig port, reaching the full rate requires a compatible switch and cabling, and keeping the driver aligned with the board firmware remains the best way to avoid the occasional drop under light traffic.

Intel

Intel Ethernet Server Adapter I210

The I210 is a discrete Intel gigabit controller aimed at workstation and small-server boards, chosen for its dependable driver and features suited to typically-on use. It often appears as a second, dedicated NIC alongside a consumer port. Because it is a server-class part, match its driver to the board or system it ships in and keep it aligned with any firmware updates to preserve the dependability it is bought for.

Other Realtek families in the catalog

Realtek hardware documented outside ethernet & lan

FamilyCategoryDocumented Windows releases
Realtek High Definition Audio CodecsAudio & SoundWindows 10, Windows 11
Realtek USB AudioAudio & SoundWindows 10, Windows 11
Realtek PCIe Gigabit and 2.5G EthernetNetwork & Wi-FiWindows 10, Windows 11
Realtek Wireless LAN AdaptersNetwork & Wi-FiWindows 10, Windows 11
Realtek Bluetooth AdaptersBluetoothWindows 10, Windows 11
Realtek PCIe/USB Card Reader ControllerCard ReadersWindows 10, Windows 11
Realtek PCIe GbE Family ControllerEthernet & LANWindows 10, Windows 11
Realtek PCIe 2.5GbE Family ControllerEthernet & LANWindows 10, Windows 11
Realtek Virtual Audio Endpoint (companion feature)Virtual DevicesWindows 10, Windows 11
The same manufacturer often ships several unrelated device classes, each with its own package.
Official links, no hosted downloads

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Other Ethernet & LAN families

View all listed Realtek families
Full Ethernet & LAN reference

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