Intel I226-V randomly disconnecting issue

[Ironveil]

My motherboard: ROG CROSSHAIR X870E HERO

Running Windows 11 Pro 24H2

This issue started out of nowhere a few months ago (early July to be exact). I don't remember doing any windows update at the time the issue appeared. I have searched about this issue here in this forum and elsewhere, and apparently I found out that said issue was fixed in one of the driver updates by Intel.

However, the problem is that said driver is not public (NVM version 2.22 and up), Instead I have to get it via the manufacturer.

Even after installing the latest drivers (Intel I226 LAN driver V2.1.5.3 for Windows 11) via the manufacturers website, this issue still appears randomly, too randomly even, and I can't reproduce it. This makes me believe that maybe the latest driver by the manufacturer does not include NVM Version 2.22 or newer in the package.

One day it can go 8 hours or more without any disconnections. Another day it can enter a spree of rapid connects and disconnects in seconds. This is while gaming even. It happens randomly as I said, even while not doing anything at all.

I have tried every trick while researching about this issue. Turning off the energy efficiency settings on the adapter, setting negotiation speed to 1Gbps (it still auto changes for some reason from 1Gbps to 100mbps (*I tried exclusively setting it on 100mbps to see if its a negotiation problem, but it still persists*)), etc. And yet the problem still persists.

On the windows event viewer the issue appears with the error ID 27.

Any ideas?

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello @Ironveil 

Thank you for reaching out to us.
Since the LAN instability seems to have started after July, please note that two newer BIOS versions have been released since then.
May I know your current BIOS version, and have you already updated to the latest version, 1715? After clearing CMOS and loading the default BIOS settings, does the random LAN disconnection issue still occur?
We also recommend toggling the "Energy Efficient Ethernet" setting (On or Off) to check if there is any difference.

If possible, please also try testing with a different Ethernet cable or connect directly to your modem to help isolate potential causes.

Thank you.

[inge70]

Why did you actually install this NVM update package 2.22?
According to Intel, it's only intended for

Intel® Ethernet Network Adapter E810-CQDA1 for OCP3.0, MM# 983093

Intel® Ethernet Network Adapter E810-CQDA1 for OCP3.0, MM# 99A01J

Intel® Ethernet Network Adapter E810-CQDA1 for OCP3.0, MM# 983092

In addition, this version is very outdated, as NVM 4.70 already exists, but not for the Intel I226-V.

But you have a LAN I226-V chip installed, like me, and you don't see an NVM 2-22 update package on the Asus support page.

For that, you only need the LAN driver for your motherboard from the Asus website, or a newer one.

``` Here in the forum, @MoKiChU provides updated drivers for many Asus motherboards, as the support websites are unfortunately only sporadically maintained by Asus.

The current driver for the Intel I226-v LAN chip is version 2.1.5.7.

I've been using my motherboard (see signature) with the Intel I226-V since October 2023 and haven't had a single LAN failure.
The connection is currently 1 Gbps, as my router can't handle any more.
Just try the latest LAN driver and download NVM 2.22.