Select as the manufacturer and look for RT2571W or 802.11g USB Wireless Card in the list. Hardware Specifications

The RT2571WF does not support 5 GHz networks, Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), or WPA3. If your router uses only 5 GHz or newer protocols, this adapter will not see the network.

After installing the driver, if the device shows but fails to connect:

Before installing any driver, confirm that your adapter truly uses the RT2571WF chipset. Here’s how:

For less than $15 USD, you can buy a that has native Windows 10/11 drivers, supports AC1200 speeds, and works out of the box.

The first step in resolving your driver issue should always be letting Windows attempt to find the software itself. Windows 10 has a robust driver database, and it often contains legacy Ralink drivers that are compatible with the RT2571WF.

If PnP fails, you can manually find older drivers. Many RT2500 series drivers (which include the RT2571WF) are listed on the Microsoft Update Catalog as compatible with "Windows 8.1 and later". Manual Hardware ID Search: Device Manager (Right-click Start > Device Manager). Find the "Unknown Device," right-click it, and select Properties tab and select Hardware Ids from the dropdown. Copy the top ID and search for it on sites like the Microsoft Update Catalog to find the exact matching Ralink driver. Compatibility Notes Legacy Support:

: Some older Ralink chipsets struggle with USB 3.0 (blue) ports. If the device keeps disconnecting, try plugging it into a USB 2.0 (black) port .