Getting Your Ralink 802.11n Wireless LAN Card Go to product viewer dialog for this item. Back Online in Windows 10
Dealing with a dead Wi-Fi connection after a Windows 10 update is frustrating, especially with legacy hardware like the Ralink 802.11n Wireless LAN Card
. Since MediaTek acquired Ralink, finding official direct support can be tricky. This guide covers how to find, install, and troubleshoot the correct 64-bit driver for your system. Where to Find the Driver
Because Ralink is now part of MediaTek, official drivers are often buried or distributed through hardware partners like HP, D-Link, or ASUS.
Microsoft Update Catalog: The most reliable official source is often the Microsoft Update Catalog, which hosts verified drivers for specific models like the RT3090.
Manufacturer Support Pages: If you have a pre-built PC (like an HP Pavilion), check the HP Support site for model-specific packages like sp59828.exe.
Third-Party Repositories: Sites like Softpedia host version 5.0.57.0, a common stable build for Windows 10 64-bit. How to Install the Driver (3 Methods) 1. The "Quick Fix": Windows Device Manager Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters, right-click your 802.11n WLAN device, and select Update driver. ralink 802.11n wireless lan card driver windows 10 64 bit
Choose Search automatically for drivers to let Windows attempt an online search. 2. The Manual Way (For .inf Files)
If you downloaded a driver package that contains .inf files instead of a setup program:
In Device Manager, right-click the adapter and select Update driver -> Browse my computer for drivers. Select the folder where you extracted the driver files.
If that fails, right-click the specific file (e.g., netr28x.inf) in File Explorer and select Install. 3. Clean Reinstall If the adapter keeps disappearing, try a "clean" start: Download the driver first but do not run it yet.
In Device Manager, right-click the Ralink adapter and select Uninstall device. Check the box for "Delete the driver software for this device." Restart your computer twice. Run the downloaded driver installer. Common Troubleshooting Tips Microsoft Update Catalog
How to Fix Ralink 802.11n Wireless LAN Card Issues on Windows 10 (64-bit)
Is your Wi-Fi acting up? If you’re using an older laptop or desktop with a Ralink 802.11n Wireless LAN Card Getting Your Ralink 802
, you might have noticed that Windows 10 updates occasionally "break" your connection. Since Ralink was acquired by , finding the right driver can feel like a scavenger hunt.
Here is the quick guide to getting your wireless card back online. 1. Where to Download the Driver
Because Ralink is no longer a standalone brand, you won't find a "Ralink.com" website. Instead, you have to look for drivers hosted by your computer's manufacturer or verified third-party repositories:
: A common stable version for many Ralink cards (like the RT3290 or RT5390) is version 5.0.57.0 . You can often find this as SoftPaq sp71571 on HP support forums. General Downloads : For various Ralink 802.11n models (like RT3090), Driver Scape provides version 5.00.52.0000 , which specifically supports Windows 10 64-bit. MediaTek Support
: While MediaTek manages these products now, their official site primarily focuses on newer hardware, making the legacy manufacturer links above more reliable for older 802.11n cards. 2. How to Install (The "Clean" Way)
Sometimes a simple "Update Driver" doesn't work because Windows keeps trying to use a generic, faulty driver. Follow these steps for a clean install: the driver file (usually an don't open it yet Open Device Manager : Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager Uninstall the Old Driver Network adapters , right-click your Ralink card, and select Uninstall device Check the box that says "Delete the driver software for this device". : Restart your computer. Run the Installer
: Locate the file you downloaded in Step 1, right-click it, and select Run as Administrator 3. Troubleshooting Common Fixes How to Find Your Hardware ID (The Foolproof Method)
If you've installed the driver but still can't connect, try these quick fixes: Reset TCP/IP : Open Command Prompt as Administrator and type netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt , then press Enter and restart your PC. The "Pick from List" Trick
: If Windows says you already have the best driver but it isn't working: In Device Manager, right-click the card > Update driver
You will see a string like:
PCI\VEN_1814&DEV_3090&SUBSYS_... or USB\VID_148F&PID_3070
Common chipsets for "802.11n" cards: | Chipset | Typical Use Case | Driver Status | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | RT2860 | PCIe internal laptop cards | Needs legacy driver | | RT2870 | USB 2.0 dongles (e.g., Belkin, Asus USB-N13) | Works with modded driver | | RT3070 / RT3072 | High-power USB adapters | Requires Win8.1 driver | | RT3090 | Popular in Acer/HP laptops | Most problematic on Win10 | | RT5390 / RT5392 | Later laptops (2012-2014) | Native support possible | | RT2770 / RT2760 | Older PCI/PCIe cards | Manual install required |
Even after installation, you may encounter issues. Here are the most frequent problems and their fixes.
Warning: Avoid "driver updater" software and suspicious EXE files from third-party banner ads. These are often malware. Stick to verified sources.