Realtek USB GbE Family Controller
This controller powers a large share of USB dongles and dock-based Ethernet ports rather than a soldered motherboard NIC. Because it rides on a USB or Thunderbolt link, its dependability depends partly on the host port and, on a dock, the dock's own firmware and USB stack. When such an adapter drops out, update the dock firmware and USB controller driver first, then this adapter driver, and try a port directly on the PC to rule the dock out.

Family profile
- Reference coverage
- Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page
- Hardware category
- Ethernet & LAN
- Manufacturer
- Realtek
- Related families listed
- 14 in this category, 7 elsewhere from Realtek
This coverage label describes releases discussed by this publication, not certified compatibility. Confirm the exact device or PC model, hardware revision, current Windows release, and current package requirements on the publisher source before making a change. Windows 10 Home and Pro reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Extended security updates and other editions have separate lifecycle terms; a driver listing does not extend Windows support.
Realtek USB GbE Family Controller at a glance
| Detail | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Controller class | USB or dock-based gigabit adapter |
| Max link speed | 1 Gbps full duplex |
| Bus and port | USB or Thunderbolt, external RJ-45 |
| Driver source | Exact adapter or dock maker listing; identify the controller |
| Stability watch | Test directly to separate adapter, port, and dock behavior |
| Common failure mode | Adapter, host port, cable, dock, or driver can be involved |
How to tell this is what you have
- Reads as Realtek USB GbE Family Controller
- Backs a USB dongle or dock Ethernet port
- Appears and disappears with the USB or dock connection
Worth knowing: Used by many USB and dock-based Ethernet adapters.
Device Driver Guide does not host driver files or bundle an updater. This page documents the Realtek USB GbE Family Controllerfamily; its citations are selected from the package-source policy recorded for this family.
Device Driver Guide hosts no executables or updater tools. External citations are limited to official publisher documentation pages and are labeled before you leave this site.
Browse related families
Open the listed ethernet & lan directoryPackage path for Realtek USB GbE Family Controller
The family record names Exact adapter or dock maker listing; identify the controller as the package source. Use Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and Windows release; verify the official support page only as reference coverage, then check the current publisher requirements for the exact model, hardware revision, Windows release, and PC configuration. A family name alone does not establish compatibility.
Shared identification, preparation, installation, verification, and rollback procedures are maintained on the full ethernet & lan guide, rather than repeated on every family page. The citations below follow this family’s declared vendor, system-update, PC-maker, or motherboard-maker source policy.
Official sources and citations
These links serve two different purposes. A manufacturer support selector helps you find an exact model, but does not prove that a package or feature exists for every product in a family. Claim-specific documents explain the cited technology, requirement, lifecycle, or bounded package example. In either case, check the publisher domain, exact model and hardware revision, operating-system release, supported-products list, and package notes before making a change.
- Realtek downloads and documentation
Realtek: Use this publisher-maintained page to match the exact Realtek model and operating-system release before selecting a package.
- Windows 10 Home and Pro lifecycle
Microsoft Lifecycle: Lifecycle documentation for Windows 10 Home and Pro; separately governed editions and servicing channels can have different dates.
- Realtek USB network-controller downloads
Realtek: USB controller-family selector; match the exact controller, adapter or dock model, and OS.
Device Driver Guide is an independent reference, not a repair or technical-support service. It does not host or mirror installers and receives no payment for these links. A named-model package example applies only to the systems and operating systems on that publisher page; it is not a recommendation to install the package across a family. Report a moved or incorrect link through the correction form.
Other ethernet & lan families to compare
Realtek USB GbE Family Controller next to the other 14 families in this category
| Family | Manufacturer | Reference coverage | How you recognize it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Realtek USB GbE Family Controller (this page) | Realtek | Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page | Reads as Realtek USB GbE Family Controller |
| Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller | Realtek | Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page | Reads as Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller in Device Manager |
| Realtek PCIe 2.5GbE Family Controller | Realtek | Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page | Reads as Realtek PCIe 2.5GbE Family Controller |
| Intel Ethernet Connection I219 | Intel | Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page | Reads as Intel Ethernet Connection I219 in Device Manager |
| Intel Ethernet Controller I225-V | Intel | Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page | Reads as Intel Ethernet Controller I225-V |
| Intel Ethernet Controller I226-V | Intel | Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page | Reads as Intel Ethernet Controller I226-V |
| Intel Ethernet Server Adapter I210 | Intel | Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page | Reads as Intel Ethernet Server Adapter I210 |
| Dell Integrated LAN (OEM package) | Dell | Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page | Delivered as a Dell package matched to a Service Tag |
| HP Integrated Network Adapter (OEM package) | HP | Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page | Located by HP product or serial number |
| Lenovo Integrated Ethernet (OEM package) | Lenovo | Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page | Matched by Lenovo machine type and model |
| ASUS Motherboard LAN Driver (OEM package) | ASUS | Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page | Downloaded from a specific ASUS motherboard support page |
| MSI Motherboard LAN Driver (OEM package) | MSI | Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page | Selected by exact MSI board model and revision |
| Gigabyte Motherboard LAN Driver (OEM package) | Gigabyte | Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page | Chosen by exact Gigabyte or Aorus board model and revision |
| ASRock Motherboard LAN Driver (OEM package) | ASRock | Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page | Found on the specific ASRock board's support page |
| Acer Integrated LAN (OEM package) | Acer | Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page | Located by Acer model or serial number |
Other Realtek families in the catalog
Realtek hardware documented outside ethernet & lan
| Family | Category | Reference coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Realtek High Definition Audio Codecs | Audio & Sound | 10, 11 |
| Realtek USB Audio | Audio & Sound | 10, 11 |
| Realtek PCIe Gigabit and 2.5G Ethernet | Network & Wi-Fi | Varies by exact adapter, system or board model, package, and release; verify the official support page |
| Realtek Wireless LAN Adapters | Network & Wi-Fi | Varies by exact adapter, system or board model, package, and release; verify the official support page |
| Realtek Bluetooth Adapters | Bluetooth | Varies by exact radio or peripheral model, package, and release; verify the official support page |
| Realtek PCIe/USB Card Reader Controller | Card Readers | 10, 11 |
| Realtek Virtual Audio Endpoint (companion feature) | Virtual Devices | 10/11 only where the exact PC/board audio package lists it |