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July 21st, 2021 12:00
Killer E2400 Ethernet Controller status "not present", not in device manager list
XPS 8930. Been working trouble-free. Ethernet connect to my router. WiFi works fine. The other day, the ethernet connection failed. Tried multiple diagnostics, restarts, cables, etc---all the usual easy stuff had no impact.
1) The killer driver won't install, says "no compatible device"
2) The ethernet controller is no longer in device manager/network adapters list
3) I think there's been a HW failure
3) As I understand it, the ethernet in this machine is part of motherboard
4) Do i get a new ethernet card? Any recommendations?
No Events found!
RoHe
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July 21st, 2021 16:00
Try resetting BIOS:
NOTE: If you get any error messages when booting after resetting BIOS, reboot again and go back into BIOS setup. Confirm the current settings match what you copied. If not, make whatever change(s) is necessary to match the original settings. Don't change anything else in BIOS, but save the changes when exiting setup.
And if all else fails to fix this, a simple USB>Ethernet dongle would be the easiest/fastest way to go.
RoHe
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July 21st, 2021 17:00
Ran out of time to edit my post...
Also, open Device Manager and on toolbar, click View>Show hidden devices. Now go through the entire list in Device Manager and look for any "Unknown" device(s). If you find any, right-click and Uninstall Device. Then click Action>Scan for hardware changes, and see if Killer reappears under Network Adapters.
gdof15
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July 22nd, 2021 09:00
Thanks for the clear concise replies (a rarity in forums, most replies are moronic and BS). I will execute the first reply later today/tomorrow and reply back. I looked at hidden devices and the ethernet card showed up but was grayed-out and properties listed it as "disconnected"
Thanks again
RoHe
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July 22nd, 2021 10:00
Manually set a System Restore point in Win 10 to be safe. Then open Device Manager and right-click the hidden Ethernet entry and Uninstall it. Then click Action>Scan for new hardware and see if the NIC gets installed again.
BTW: Dell posted a Killer Ethernet driver v2.4.1549, A27, for XPS 8930 on 17-May 2021. I installed it on my XPS 8930 and it appears to be OLDER than the one that was already installed. Device Manager listed driver v9.0.0.50 before this "update", but listed driver v9.0.0.42 afterwards. Fortunately, the version that installed .50 is still available on Dell's site so I installed that one again.
Don't understand why an older driver is being offered now and I queried my Dell tech contacts but haven't gotten a response...
(Please don't use abbreviations like the one on first line of your last post. They're unacceptable on this forum and could get you put on moderation. Thanks.)
gdof15
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July 22nd, 2021 13:00
Had a moment--powered down and unplugged machine for a few. After restart, NIC is back on DM list and active. Ethernet working. Looks like deleting did it. Driver is up to date (or not depending on how you look at it, right?)
Thanks I owe you a round
gdof15
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July 22nd, 2021 13:00
First, no offense or off-color/low-brow attitude intended. I am wary of forums (I read-only many to try and find good suggestions/solutions for all kinds of things: cars, hiking, hobbies). I am sadly disappointed when I read posts that offer no answer/suggestion and merely criticize the poster. Your reply was a refreshing clear concise response. You critique is taken and I will be more careful.
I figured someone would suggest uninstalling and rescan for new HW--so I had done that immediately. It disappeared and the scan new HW found nothing. I will try and open the machine up later when I have time.
RoHe
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July 22nd, 2021 17:00
Glad you got it working again...
Which version of Killer driver is installed, according to Device Manager? IIRC, v9.0.0.50 was the latest one Killer released before the company were gobbled up by Intel.
And you have to keep on eye on Windows Update. It has a nasty habit of updating Killer drivers without permission, when you're not looking. And there's no way to prevent the update...You can only find out by looking at the Update History under Drivers.
You buying, I'm drinking...
GELongTX
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April 3rd, 2025 06:43
This exact same thing happened to me this evening. After losing a couple of hours digging around doing everything from uninstalling and then panicking why I couldn't rediscover the device, to trying in vain to enter UEFI thinking it was a CSM and/or also a display port issue, I finally figured out it was as simple as a dead CMOS battery! Quick and easy replacement and all was right again with the world (I didn't even have to reconfigure the deleted device nor install any updated drivers nor reset the cmos memory). Just replace the battery and plug all my cables back in and power back on.
I know this is an old thread but figure there very well may be others who will encounter this in the near future as our old machines age out and batteries start to die. And if so, hopefully this will save them some time and grief. Hat tip to RoHe for the above suggestions which ultimately lead to my solution.