The short answer is: You must use a generic, community-sourced driver.
Once you've downloaded the driver, follow these steps to install it:
: Third-party drivers can carry security risks or cause system instability. Always scan downloaded files for malware and create a system restore point before installation. Troubleshooting Tips If you still wish to attempt a connection on Windows 10:
While Sony no longer supports the UWA‑BR100 on modern operating systems, the driver for its Atheros chipset provides a functional workaround. This method has been verified by a community of users and offers a reliable way to continue using a device that has otherwise been rendered obsolete by Windows 10.
: Legacy USB chipsets struggle with Windows 10 power saving features. Open the adapter's properties in Device Manager, navigate to the Power Management tab, and uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” . sony usb wireless lan adapter uwa-br100 driver windows 10
Using unofficial drivers is at your own risk and may cause system instability. Always create a system restore point first.
To reuse this adapter on a Windows 10 PC, you must trick the operating system into using generic Atheros or CommView wireless LAN drivers instead. Step-by-Step Installation Methods for Windows 10 Method 1: Manual Driver Assignment via Device Manager
Locate the Sony adapter. It will likely appear under with a yellow exclamation mark, labeled as "UWA-BR100" or "Unknown Device." 3. Force the Manual Driver Update
While no official Windows 10 drivers exist, some third-party sites host drivers that may work because the device often uses common chipsets (such as those from Buffalo or Broadcom). The short answer is: You must use a
Right-click the Windows button and select Device Manager .
Qualcomm Atheros AR9280 Wireless Network Adapter driver for Windows 10 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. .
Before diving into the process, it's important to have the right expectations. The UWA-BR100 is an older adapter that only supports legacy wireless standards: and operates on the 2.4GHz frequency. This means it will not be able to utilize newer 5GHz or 6GHz Wi-Fi networks, and its maximum theoretical speed is 300Mbps (with real-world speeds often lower). It is best suited for basic web browsing and email, but may struggle with high-definition video streaming or large file downloads.
Connect the UWA-BR100 to a USB port, preferably directly to the motherboard USB port (back of the PC). Open (Right-click Start > Device Manager). Troubleshooting Tips If you still wish to attempt
Legacy adapters can struggle with aggressive power-saving protocols in modern operating systems.
Make sure to download the version that matches your system architecture ( or 32-bit/x86 ).
Alternatively, tools like or DriverMax hold offline packages designed to recognize this specific hardware block.
This is the safest and most reliable approach, as it avoids third-party installer software entirely.
The is a compact USB wireless adapter, originally designed for Sony's Blu-ray players, BRAVIA TVs, and the PlayStation 3. It provided 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz only) to devices without built-in wireless.
If you completed the steps but still cannot connect to the internet, try these troubleshooting adjustments: