The Qualcomm Atheros AR8161/8165 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller (NDIS 620) is a network adapter driver used for managing Ethernet network connectivity on devices with Qualcomm Atheros AR8161 or AR8165 network cards. These chips are commonly found in many desktop and laptop motherboards, providing support for high-speed wired network connections (Gigabit Ethernet).

The driver enables the operating system to communicate with the Ethernet controller, ensuring you can connect to wired networks, transfer data, and access the internet.

Why You Might Need It:

If you're experiencing issues with your wired network connection, such as no connection or slow speeds, the driver might be outdated or missing. If there's a yellow exclamation mark in Device Manager or your network is not working properly, you may need to update or reinstall the driver.

How to Install the Qualcomm Atheros AR8161/8165 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller (NDIS 620) Driver:

1. Using Windows Update:

• Windows Update is often the easiest way to get the latest drivers, as it will automatically detect and install most drivers.
  1. Open Settings by pressing Win + I.
  2. Go to Update & Security > Windows Update.
  3. Click Check for updates.
  4. If a network driver update is available, Windows will download and install it automatically.

2. Using Device Manager:

• You can manually update the driver via Device Manager
  1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
  2. Locate Network adapters and find Qualcomm Atheros AR8161/8165 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller (it may also appear under a similar name).
  3. Right-click on the device and select Update driver.
  4. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows will attempt to find and install the latest driver.

3. Intel or Qualcomm Driver & Support Tools:

• Qualcomm (and sometimes Intel, if the chipset is integrated) offers a tool to automatically detect and install drivers.
  1. Go to the Qualcomm Atheros Support Page or download their Driver & Support Assistant (if available for your chipset).
  2. Alternatively, you can use Intel's Driver & Support Assistant (IDSA) if you're using an Intel motherboard (since Intel sometimes provides the chipset or controller for Atheros).
  3. Download, install, and run the tool to automatically find and install the correct driver for your network adapter.

4. Download and Install the Driver Manually:

• You can manually download the latest driver from Qualcomm or your laptop/motherboard manufacturer's website.
  1. Visit the Qualcomm Atheros Drivers Download Page
  2. Search for AR8161 or AR8165 Ethernet Controller and find the appropriate driver for your version of Windows (32-bit or 64-bit).
  3. Download the driver package.
  4. Extract the package (if it's in a ZIP file) and run the installer, following the on-screen instructions.
  5. Restart your computer if prompted.

5. Reinstall the Driver (if necessary):

• If the driver is already installed but causing issues, you can try reinstalling it.
  1. Open Device Manager (press Win + X and select Device Manager).
  2. Expand Network adapters and right-click on Qualcomm Atheros AR8161/8165 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller.
  3. Select Uninstall device.
  4. After uninstallation, restart your computer. Windows should automatically reinstall the driver when you boot up again.

Summary:

• Why you need it: The Qualcomm Atheros AR8161/8165 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller driver allows your system to manage wired network connections.
• Installation methods: You can install or update the driver using Windows Update, Device Manager, Qualcomm or Intel support tools, or manually by downloading the driver from the manufacturer's website.

If you follow one of these steps, your Ethernet controller should work properly and enable you to use a stable, high-speed network connection.