How to Install a Network Interface Card

PDF download Download Article
A step-by-step guide to installing a NIC in your computer
PDF download Download Article

In this article, you will learn how to remove and install a NIC Card where NIC stands for Network Interface Card. This card is found on the motherboard of a computer and as its name says, it is used to connect to the internet.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/14\/Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/14\/Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-1.jpg\/aid578067-v4-728px-Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The power should be off when you do this.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e0\/Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e0\/Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-2.jpg\/aid578067-v4-728px-Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-3.jpg\/aid578067-v4-728px-Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-4.jpg\/aid578067-v4-728px-Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ec\/Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ec\/Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-5.jpg\/aid578067-v4-728px-Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b9\/Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b9\/Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-6.jpg\/aid578067-v4-728px-Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/70\/Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/70\/Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-7.jpg\/aid578067-v4-728px-Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If it does, it could damage itself when the PC is turned on.
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6d\/Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6d\/Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-8.jpg\/aid578067-v4-728px-Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  9. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9c\/Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9c\/Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-9.jpg\/aid578067-v4-728px-Install-a-Network-Interface-Card-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If not then check the connections and repeat the above steps.
    10. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Just installed a Rosewell Gigabit PCIe LAN card. However, Local Area Connection 2 status shows a speed of 100 Mbps. Shouldn't it be 1000 Mbps?
    Community Answer
    If the other end of the Ethernet cable is connected to a device (modem, router, network switch, etc) that doesn't support a gigabit connection, you will get a slower than 1000 Mbps speed. You might also check that the card is properly configured for gigabit in your operating system.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
  • Question
    Is there anything special I have to do in order to get the NIC to work?
    Paul Sargent
    Community Answer
    Most are plug-and-play if you have an fairly new (i.e. Windows 7 or higher) PC. If the NIC you are using is ancient, you will need to find drivers; otherwise, it should run out of the box.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Do not forget to take off the guide notches before inserting the card.
        Thanks
      • When you insert the card push it with some extra force, not too gently, otherwise it will not be completely inserted and you will face problems in connecting to the internet.
        Thanks
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Always wear an antistatic wrist strap before working with your PC otherwise you will harm your motherboard components.
        Thanks
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      Easy Ways to Change the Wi-Fi Network Name
      How to
      Ground Yourself to Avoid Destroying a Computer with Electrostatic Discharge
      How to
      Check Your Laptop’s Battery Health in Windows 10
      How to
      Install a Power Supply
      Easily Find Hardware Specs on any Computer, Phone, or Tablet
      How to Convert a Computer Power Supply to a Lab Power Supply
      4 Easy Ways to Check for Driver Updates on a Computer
      How to
      Configure Master and Slave in BIOS for Two Hard Disk Drives in a Single System
      How to
      Maintain Lithium Battery
      How to Disable BIOS Memory Options on a Windows PC
      7 Steps to Check if Your Computer Can Have a Wifi Card
      How to
      Establish Nvidia SLI
      Advertisement

      References

      1. For this article, i took help from my professor Mr. Roly Roy. He is a professor of Computer Fundamentals.

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 131,663 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement