In the same window, click the Advanced tab:
Avoid “driver updater” scam websites. Only use trusted sources.
To use the RTL8188CU wireless adapter, you need to install the corresponding driver on your Windows 10 64-bit computer. Without the driver, the adapter will not function properly, and you will not be able to connect to wireless networks. In the same window, click the Advanced tab:
If Windows Update fails to find a stable driver, you will need to install the official Realtek package manually. Step 1: Download the Driver
The official Realtek download site can be difficult to navigate. Realtek does not always list the RTL8188CU prominently. A more direct approach is to look for the , which contains drivers for several Realtek chips including the 8188CU. As suggested in community forums, the latest driver package from Realtek for the RTL8811AU is known to work with the 8188CU on Windows 10 and 11. You can find it on Realtek’s official download page under the “Communications Network Adapters” section. Without the driver, the adapter will not function
If Windows fails, you can download the driver manually. While Realtek's own WLAN USB driver package (Version 1030.25) supports Windows 10, it is often a universal package for multiple chipsets.
| Version | Date | Source | |---------|------|--------| | 1030.40.0827.2019 | 2019 | Realtek | | 1027.5.1101.2015 | 2015 | Microsoft Update Catalog | | 1005.37.1112.2013 (Win8.1) | 2013 | Realtek (works forced) | Realtek does not always list the RTL8188CU prominently
If you already own the hardware, the driver is to get you online. It is a workhorse driver for a budget chip.
Up to 150 Mbps. This is a single-stream (1x1) SISO architecture.
If you encounter "Can't connect to this network" errors after installation: RTL8811CU Software - Realtek
Even with the correct driver, you might encounter connection drops or "Code 10" errors. RTL8811CU Software - Realtek