How to fix BSOD errors caused by Rtwlanu.sys Issues?

You are here because you are struggling with a BSOD related to the rtwlanu.sys file. The error seems to mostly be affecting Windows 10; however, there have been cases of PCs running Windows 7 or Windows 8 encountering the same error. Most people report that rtwlanu.sys BSOD errors are random and may happen when the Wi-Fi is under high load, for instance, while streaming on YouTube or downloading a file. In today’s post, you will learn how to fix “rtwlanu.sys is missing or corrupt” on Windows 10.

What Is Rtwlanu.sys?

Rtwlanu.sys can be described as Realtek WLAN USB NDIS Driver. It’s a system file used as a driver for wireless WLAN adapters. The file, developed by Realtek Semiconductor Corporation, enables communication between the Windows OS and WLAN Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter.

Rtwlanu.sys was first released in 2012 for the Windows 8 OS. In 2015, a newer version was released for the Windows 10 operating system.

Is Rtwlanu.sys Safe?

SYS files, also known as Windows system files, are developed to be used in DOS and Windows operating systems. Such files contain hardware configurations and device drivers for the system, and they are required by the system to perform its functions accordingly.

If you’re wondering if the rtwlanu.sys file is safe, then the answer is “YES”. According to investigations carried out by our technical team, no antivirus program detected the rtwlanu.sys file as malware. Normally, the file is located in C:/Windows/system32/drivers.

Possible Causes of the Rtwlanu.sys Error on Windows 10

Like we mentioned earlier, rtwlanu.sys is needed by the Windows OS to perform its functions as required. But what if rtwlanu.sys could not be found, causing the blue screen of death error? In most cases, rtwlanu.sys BSOD errors occur after the installation of new hardware or software. The new installation could have caused conflicts in the registry or system files.

Other possible reasons include:

• A corrupted system file – system file corruption is known to cause system crashes and BSOD errors. If you suspect this to be the case, you may have to restore your system to a state before the error first occurred or perform a clean install.
• WLAN is not configured to wake the computer – if the BSOD errors happen when trying to wake your PC or put it to sleep or hibernation, then configuring WLAN to wake your device can resolve the issue.
• A corrupted or incompatible Network WLAN driver – if your network driver is corrupted, then it’s highly likely to be the cause of the BSOD errors. Many users have reported running into issues related to Realtek drivers. If that’s the case, then installing the latest drivers should eliminate the BSOD errors.
• sys has been deleted by mistake – system files are important, and if they are mistakenly deleted by someone, a virus or other software, then it could explain why you’re getting rtwlanu.sys BSOD errors.
• Software-related issues – Microsoft encourages Windows users to always install the latest Windows updates to keep the machine running smoothly. However, this may not always be the case. Some updates may cause software or hardware conflicts, interfering with the normal operation of the system. Likewise, if you performed a failed Windows update, you risk running into BSOD errors.

How to Fix the Rtwlanu.sys BSOD on a Windows PC

Before you start making hardware or software changes to your Windows 10 device, we recommend trying the following simple troubleshooting steps:

Scan Your PC for Malware

A malware infection can cause all kinds of damage to your PC, including software and system file corruption. The only way to ensure that your system is protected is to install a powerful anti-malware tool that will effectively detect and contain any form of malware attack. Regularly scanning your computer keeps your sensitive data and online activity safe.

Therefore, scan your PC first to check if malware is responsible for deleting or corrupting system files or software, causing rtwlanu.sys BSOD errors. If the malware scan doesn’t raise any red flags, try the next troubleshooting step.

Connect Your Network Adapter to a Different PC

Have you tried using your network adapter on a different PC? This way, you can tell whether the problem is specific to your PC or adapter. If the adapter works fine on other PCs, then your computer is to blame for the errors. In such a case, try one or all of the solutions provided below until you find the one that works for you.

Fix 1: Reinstall Your Network Driver

If you’re using Realtek drivers, your network driver may be corrupted. In that case, you need to uninstall the corrupted network driver and install a new driver. You can reinstall the Realtek driver manually, automatically or using Device Manager.

Option 1: Manually

Here, you need to check your PC to determine the driver version and model. You will then go to the official site of your motherboard manufacturer and search for Realtek WLAN Driver for Windows 10 (or your Windows version) and download the latest drivers specifically dedicated to your system. Next, open the location where you saved the downloaded file and install it.

This is a complicated process, and you’re likely to waste a lot of time trying to search for the correct drivers. Plus, if you mistakenly install the wrong drivers, then you risk running into more system issues.

Option 2: Using Device Manager

Device Manager makes it easier to update device drivers on your PC. Use the guide below to uninstall the corrupted Realtek driver and install a cleaner version:

1. Press the Windows Key and type “Device Manager” (no quotes).
2. Press “Enter” to launch “Device Manager”.
3. Navigate to “Network adapters”, and expand it.
4. Right-click “Realtek Wireless driver” and select “Uninstall device”.
5. Click “OK” to confirm your action.
6. Restart your PC. Windows will restart and automatically install the generic driver for Realtek Wireless.

Option 3: Automatically

The last option involves using a trusted driver updater to automatically update your network driver. Auslogics Driver Updater is an intelligent tool that scans your system to determine the type of drivers installed, those that need updating, and those drivers that are damaged or missing. The program then downloads the latest driver versions directly from the official manufacturers’ websites and then automatically installs them on your computer.

Auslogics Driver Updater gives you a detailed report on the drivers installed on your PC and shows you when the drivers were installed and the available updates. You can opt to update your device drivers one by one or all of them at once by clicking the “Update all” button. Additionally, the tool backs up your drivers to make it easier to revert the changes if you run into issues after installing the new driver versions. You can even schedule the program to run automatic maintenance so that you never miss out on updates whenever they are released.

After installing the updates, repeat the action that triggered the rtwlanu.sys BSOD error and check if it has been resolved. If not, move to the next solution below.

Fix 2: Run the SFC Scan

If the error is due to system file corruption, Windows has a built-in utility that checks for and repairs corrupted system files. The System File Checker tool can be used across all Windows versions. To run the SFC scan, here are the steps to follow:

1. Hit the Win + X keyboard shortcut, and select “Command Prompt (Admin)”.
2. Click “Yes” in the permission box to open the “Command Prompt” window.
3. Type in scf /scannow, and then press “Enter”. This operation activates the System File Checker tool to scan system files and check if there are any rtwlanu.sys-related issues.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts, where applicable, to complete the process. The scan might take a while, so wait patiently and don’t interrupt the process.

If this fix fails, move to the next solution below.

Fix 3: Configure LAN Settings

This fix applies if you experience the rtwlanu.sys BSOD error when trying to put your PC to Sleep or Hibernate mode. If you haven’t configured LAN to wake the computer or put it to Sleep or Hibernate mode, then you can adjust the settings to check if it resolves the problem.

To configure LAN settings, follow these steps:

1. Open the “Run” dialog box by pressing the Win +R shortcut, type in msc, and then press “Enter”.
2. Once “Device Manager” opens, navigate to “Network adapters” and expand it.
3. Right-click your network adapter and open “Properties”.
4. Go to the “Power Management” tab, and check the box next to “Allow this device to wake the computer”.
5. Click “OK” and reboot your PC.

Check if the BSOD error associated with rtwlanu.sys has been resolved. If the error is still giving you problems, move on to the next fix.

Fix 4: Update Windows

You probably have done this already, but you must ensure that all pending Windows updates have been installed. Microsoft releases Windows updates periodically, and by ensuring that your device is up to date, you avoid running into issues like the BSOD error associated with rtwlanu.sys.

To run Windows Update, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows Key or click “Start”, and type in Update.
2. Select “Check for updates” from the results.
3. Click the “Check for updates” button and let Windows search for and install all pending updates. If updates are available, Windows will automatically install them on your device.
4. Restart your computer after the update is complete.

Check if the error has been resolved. If not, proceed to the next solution below.

Fix 5: Run System Restore

Normally, when faced with a critical error like a Blue Screen of Death and unable to find a solution, it’s advisable to restore your system to a state when everything was working fine. System Restore is a Windows tool that allows users to revert changes made to the system on specific dates.

However, to perform a system restore, your operating system needs to have created a restore point before the BSOD error first occurred. Luckily, Windows is configured to automatically save backup images or restore points regularly, especially after every Windows update that gets installed successfully. Remember, performing a system restore clears any changes made since the restore point was created. In other words, all apps, games, and software installed after the snapshot was created will be erased.

So, if you have installed important apps or games, you can note them down so that you can reinstall them once you finish restoring your system to a previous state.

To run System Restore, follow these steps:

1. Use the Win + R keyboard shortcut to launch the “Run” dialog box.
2. Type in rsturi and click “OK”.
3. Once the “System Restore” window opens, click “Next”.
4. On the next window, you’ll be required to select a restore point. It’s important to try to recall the exact date when you first encountered the error. This way, it will be easier to select a date and time registered before the event happened. Click “Show more restore points” for more options.
5. Once you’ve selected a restore point, click “Next”.
6. Click “Finish” to trigger Windows to commence the system restoration process. Wait patiently until the process completes successfully.

At the next Windows startup, check if you’ll still run into the rtwlanu.sys BSOD error. If the problem persists even after performing a system restore, you might have to install Windows afresh.

Clean Up and Optimize Your PC

Some of the common PC errors, including certain BSOD errors, can be avoided if you run regular PC maintenance. Junk files are a PC’s worst nightmare. They take up disk space and negatively affect your PC’s speed and performance. Additionally, corrupt keys and invalid entries in the Windows Registry can cause stability issues, and your system might crash constantly.

To improve your system’s speed and restore stability, you need an effective optimization tool like Auslogics BoostSpeed. The program is loaded with several advanced modules that ensure your PC is running as fast as when you first bought it. Among other functions, Auslogics BoostSpeed can help protect your privacy, defragment your HDD, clean up junk files, improve internet speeds, clean the registry, and optimize startup items.

It’s the tool that has it all in terms of tweaks and optimization features. Running the program regularly is guaranteed to keep your PC at peak levels. This way, you can enjoy faster browsing, play games without issues, and get rid of BSOD errors caused by rtwlanu.sys.

We hope you find the solutions above on how to fix the rtwlanu.sys BSOD on a Windows PC useful. Please let us know the fix that worked for you by commenting below.