ethernet Windows 11 Constantly Broken Ethernet Drivers

[TheRealMMYT]

Hi, I've been trying to figure out what's wrong with my PC lately, I haven't been able to get stable internet.  I know it's not an ISP level issue, or a modem problem.  But for some reason, Windows 11 keeps telling me in the Diagnose Networks Tab that my "I'm connected to the internet, my network connection might be slow."  I have no clue why.  I have configured everything properly on my end and I've uninstalled and reinstalled my ASUS Z790 Dark Hero motherboard's drivers more than I should have too.  Does anyone know what's going on here?  I have tried doing research and each method doesn't work.  My driver's resources show nothing is wrong either, but I keep getting the least stable connection on this machine, constant drop outs for no reason when my other devices, not windows 11, are perfectly fine.  I can't play online games because the connection would drop out of nowhere and fail to save progress until I restarted my PC.

[BillBill]

31 minutes ago, TheRealMMYT said:

Hi, I've been trying to figure out what's wrong with my PC lately, I haven't been able to get stable internet.  I know it's not an ISP level issue, or a modem problem.  But for some reason, Windows 11 keeps telling me in the Diagnose Networks Tab that my "I'm connected to the internet, my network connection might be slow."  I have no clue why.  I have configured everything properly on my end and I've uninstalled and reinstalled my ASUS Z790 Dark Hero motherboard's drivers more than I should have too.  Does anyone know what's going on here?  I have tried doing research and each method doesn't work.  My driver's resources show nothing is wrong either, but I keep getting the least stable connection on this machine, constant drop outs for no reason when my other devices, not windows 11, are perfectly fine.  I can't play online games because the connection would drop out of nowhere and fail to save progress until I restarted my PC.

Windows will download drivers for your network card. But that's the reason it is getting messed up. Best thing to do is to not have Windows updating any of your drivers. Just download driver updates manually.  

[Tetras]

Is it an Intel i225-v? If so, google "i225-v problems".

 

If you've tested everything else (ISP/router) then I'd suggest: try another cable and try another network adapter (e.g. USB stick, PCI-E card). Getting another network card is often the way to 'fix' having that chip.

[TheRealMMYT]

9 minutes ago, Tetras said:

Is it an Intel i225-v? If so, google "i225-v problems".

 

If you've tested everything else (ISP/router) then I'd suggest: try another cable and try another network adapter (e.g. USB stick, PCI-E card). Getting another network card is often the way to 'fix' having that chip.

I dont think i have another cat 6 around.  I dont have a card either as far as I know, its intergrated into the MB.

[TheRealMMYT]

10 minutes ago, Tetras said:

Is it an Intel i225-v? If so, google "i225-v problems".

 

If you've tested everything else (ISP/router) then I'd suggest: try another cable and try another network adapter (e.g. USB stick, PCI-E card). Getting another network card is often the way to 'fix' having that chip.

 

12 minutes ago, BillBill said:

Windows will download drivers for your network card. But that's the reason it is getting messed up. Best thing to do is to not have Windows updating any of your drivers. Just download driver updates manually.  

Is there a way to disable automatic updates?  Its getting to a point where some games cant find a server. 

[GraysonJ90]

2 minutes ago, TheRealMMYT said:

 

Is there a way to disable automatic updates?  Its getting to a point where some games cant find a server. 

Yeah. Watch this

 

[Agall]

1 hour ago, TheRealMMYT said:

Hi, I've been trying to figure out what's wrong with my PC lately, I haven't been able to get stable internet.

I've had several motherboards with 2.5Gb LAN ports that have driver issues with Win11. Both Intel and Realtek NICs. I've just given up at this point and use Wifi7 even though the device is inches away from one of the WAPs.

[BillBill]

1 minute ago, Agall said:

I've had several motherboards with 2.5Gb LAN ports that have driver issues with Win11. Both Intel and Realtek NICs. I've just given up at this point and use Wifi7 even though the device is inches away from one of the WAPs.

Windows 11 version 23H2 seems to have less issues than version 24H2. 

[Agall]

9 minutes ago, BillBill said:

Windows 11 version 23H2 seems to have less issues than version 24H2. 

I've experienced these issues since win11's release on each build and with various systems, its also not a singular issue, but general NIC and system instability seem to be the common denominator. 

[BillBill]

51 minutes ago, Agall said:

I've experienced these issues since win11's release on each build and with various systems, its also not a singular issue, but general NIC and system instability seem to be the common denominator. 

24H2 is known for having connectivity issues. The only thing to try is 23H2 and download and install the online service experience packs. 23H2 did correct some connectivity issues with the online service packs. Also you might have go back to an older driver. 

[TheRealMMYT]

8 minutes ago, BillBill said:

24H2 is known for having connectivity issues. The only thing to try is 23H2 and download and install the online service experience packs. 23H2 did correct some connectivity issues with the online service packs. Also you might have go back to an older driver. 

Can you explain where i'd find these service packs?  I'm guessing just from something like Intel's website?

[BillBill]

53 minutes ago, TheRealMMYT said:

Can you explain where i'd find these service packs?  I'm guessing just from something like Intel's website?

Online service experience packs. They are part of Windows and are installed through Windows update. Windows update will download them according to your version of Windows being used. In my opinion Windows 11 version 23H2 has better stability. Some of the service packs are listed under optional updates. While the important ones are under normal updates. 

[DraconisMaximus]

On 4/28/2025 at 10:32 AM, TheRealMMYT said:

I dont think i have another cat 6 around.  I dont have a card either as far as I know, its intergrated into the MB.

Why do you need a Cat 6? Cat 5e can handle 2.5 Gbe out to 100m. As @Tetras noted, a USB Ethernet adapter can help rule out problems with the wider network or with other software. https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Network-Ethernet-Supports-Nintendo/dp/B00MYTSN18 as one example. Otherwise, try downloading the current drivers from either ASUS or Intel directly. The more recent time stamp should temporarily block Windows update from modifying them if you don't want to disable driver updates more broadly.

[TheRealMMYT]

On 4/29/2025 at 8:06 PM, DraconisMaximus said:

Why do you need a Cat 6? Cat 5e can handle 2.5 Gbe out to 100m. As @Tetras noted, a USB Ethernet adapter can help rule out problems with the wider network or with other software. https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Network-Ethernet-Supports-Nintendo/dp/B00MYTSN18 as one example. Otherwise, try downloading the current drivers from either ASUS or Intel directly. The more recent time stamp should temporarily block Windows update from modifying them if you don't want to disable driver updates more broadly.

For streaming and my motherboard and router support really fast internet speeds.  Like 1GB/s.  I plan on upgrading futher when I start streaming. 

[DraconisMaximus]

Your ASUS Z790 Dark Hero motherboard has 2.5 Gigabit ethernet (2.5 Gbe). As mentioned earlier, Cat 5e cables are rated for 2.5 Gbe too. No additional benefit can be gained with a Cat 6 cable. If you have not tried a different cable yet that is the next thing you will need to try.