Jul. 15, 2025 / Updated by Violet to Windows Driver Solutions
The RTL8191S WLAN adapter by Realtek is a widely used wireless network interface card. However, it can encounter compatibility issues, especially with newer operating systems like Windows 11 or older systems such as Windows 7. Whether you're dealing with poor connectivity, driver errors, or missing drivers after a fresh OS installation, installing the correct RTL8191S WLAN adapter driver is critical.
In this article, we provide a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to download, install, and update the RTL8191S WLAN adapter driver on Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 7. This guide ensures full compatibility and optimized performance for your wireless card.
The RTL8191S is a wireless network adapter chipset developed by Realtek, supporting 802.11b/g/n standards. It typically comes in USB dongle or PCIe form and provides stable wireless connections with data rates up to 150 Mbps or higher depending on the version. However, outdated or missing drivers can cause disconnections, limited connectivity, or failure to detect wireless networks.
Windows 11 often lacks native support for older drivers like those for the RTL8191S. Here's how to get the latest working version:
Step 1: Identify the Adapter Model
Press Windows + X, then choose Device Manager.
Expand the Network adapters section.
Look for “Realtek RTL8191S Wireless LAN 802.11n PCI-E NIC” or a similar name.
Step 2: Download the Driver
To ensure safety and authenticity:
Visit the Realtek official website: https://www.realtek.com
Navigate to Downloads > Communication Network ICs > Wireless LAN ICs.
Search for RTL8191S, select your OS as Windows 11 (or Windows 10 64-bit).
Download the latest available driver.
Alternatively, if Realtek no longer lists the driver:
Use the Driver Talent utility to scan and install the compatible RTL8191S WLAN adapter driver for Windows 11 automatically.
Note: Most Realtek drivers for Windows 10 64-bit work on Windows 11 due to kernel similarity.
Step 3: Install the Driver
Right-click the downloaded .exe file and choose Run as Administrator.
Follow on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
Reboot your PC to finalize the setup.
Windows 10 usually installs basic network drivers automatically. However, these are often generic and may lack full performance capabilities. Here’s how to install the optimized driver for RTL8191S:
Manual Installation
Download the latest RTL8191S WLAN adapter driver Windows 10 version from the Realtek or OEM website.
Extract the contents if zipped.
Open Device Manager, right-click your adapter > Update driver.
Select Browse my computer for drivers.
Point to the extracted driver folder and proceed with installation.
Use Driver Talent for Automatic Update
Driver Talent is a professional driver management tool that can:
Automatically detect outdated or missing drivers.
Install WHQL-certified drivers.
Fix wireless driver issues like no internet or limited access.
Steps to Use Driver Talent:
Download and install Driver Talent from its official website.
Launch the program and click Scan.
Locate the RTL8191S driver under Network Adapters.
Click Download or Update.
Reboot after installation.
This method eliminates the risk of downloading incorrect or unsigned drivers.
Although support for Windows 7 has officially ended, many users still rely on it for legacy hardware. Here’s how to manually install the RTL8191S WLAN adapter driver for Windows 7:
Steps to Install
Go to Realtek’s Legacy Driver Page.
Search RTL8191S under Wireless LAN drivers.
Choose Windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit depending on your OS.
Download and unzip the package.
Run the Setup.exe file to begin installation.
Restart your system once complete.
Troubleshooting Tip
If the adapter doesn’t appear in Device Manager:
Plug the USB device into a different port.
Run the Windows Hardware Troubleshooter.
Use Driver Talent to scan for hidden devices or incorrect driver mappings.
1. Driver Not Compatible with Windows 11
If you see an error like "Driver not supported on this version of Windows":
Try installing the driver in compatibility mode:
Right-click the driver setup file.
Go to Properties > Compatibility tab.
Check "Run this program in compatibility mode for" and select Windows 10.
Apply and run the installer.
2. No Internet After Driver Installation
If Wi-Fi shows connected but there's no internet access:
Disable and re-enable the adapter in Device Manager.
Reset the TCP/IP stack via Command Prompt:
netsh int ip reset
netsh winsock reset
ipconfig /flushdns
Then reboot your PC.
3. Adapter Keeps Disconnecting
If your connection frequently drops:
Disable Power Saving Mode:
Go to Device Manager > Network Adapters.
Right-click your RTL8191S adapter > Properties > Power Management tab.
Uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."
Driver Talent provides a hassle-free way to manage drivers, especially for legacy hardware like Realtek RTL8191S. Its key benefits include:
One-click repair for network driver issues.
Backup & restore features before driver updates.
Offline driver installation in case of no network access.
It ensures maximum stability and performance of the RTL8191S WLAN adapter driver across all Windows versions.
Installing or updating the RTL8191S WLAN adapter driver is crucial for maintaining seamless internet connectivity. Whether you're on Windows 11, Windows 10, or even Windows 7, choosing the correct driver version is essential to avoid performance issues or disconnections.
If you're unsure about downloading the right file or want to simplify the process, we highly recommend using Driver Talent to automatically detect, download, and install the best-matched driver for your adapter.
![]() |
ExplorerMax |
![]() |
Driver Talent for Network Card | |
Smart and advanced file explorer tool for Windows platforms | Download & Install Network Drivers without Internet Connection | |||
30-day Free Trial | Free Download |