Some Intel Raptor Lake motherboards keep dropping wired connections thanks to a design flaw-

Update: An Intel spokesperson told PC Gamer that they are “aware of these reports and actively investigating.”


If you’ve got an Intel Raptor Lake motherboard that’s occasionally losing ethernet connection for no reason, don’t worry, you’re not going crazy. It turns out Intel’s latest networking chip is causing headaches for a number of owners of Intel 700-series chipset motherboards. The worst part? There doesn’t seem to be a fix available yet. 

Techpowerup reports that the Intel Ethernet I226-V 2.5 Gbe controller on some Raptor Lake motherboards has a specific design flaw that is causing the ethernet connection to drop randomly for a few seconds. 

While a few seconds may not seem like a big deal, it certainly is annoying if you’re a remote worker or play games that require an online connection at all times, like Final Fantasy 14 or WoW. There’s nothing worse than losing your connection in the middle of a raid. 

The I226-V is the successor to Intel’s I225 ethernet 2.5 GbE controller, which has had its own host of issues in the recent past, mainly with unreliable connections. You can check if your system’s experiencing these drops by checking out your Windows Event Viewer: Look under “Windows Logs” then “System” and search for “e2fnexpress” and see if and when your network link was disconnected. 

Since there’s reportedly no fix at the moment, the best thing you can do is switch to a WiFi connection or grab a PCI-Express network card for less than $50. It’s not the most ideal solution, but if you can’t afford to drop your internet connection randomly, this might be the best you can do for now. 

Some premium Intel 700-series motherboards also have a second ethernet controller, which is usually a different brand than Intel, often Marvell. Switching your main connection to that is likely the only real way around it right now. So you might want to keep that in mind should you upgrade your Intel mobo in the future.  

Related Posts

Gwyneth Paltrow Would Play Pepper Potts Again, But On One Condition

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow has said she’s open to the idea of portraying her MCU character Pepper Potts once again, but it would have to be under the…

Herman Miller And Razer Gaming Chairs Get Nice Discounts

Select Razer gaming chairs are on sale online right now, saving up to $90 on several Enki and Iskur models. The majority of the deals are at…

Keanu Reeves To Appear As John Wick In Ballerina Spin-off Film

If you were thinking he’d be back, you’re right: Keanu Reeves will reprise his role as John Wick not just in John Wick: Chapter 4, but also…

LA Noire Switch Review

When it first released in 2011, L.A. Noire was an anomaly; its facial capture tech was an innovative showcase of animation, and it’s focus on slower-paced interrogation…

Get Every Mainline Resident Evil Game And More For Only $30 In New Humble Bundle

Board Game Night When it comes to survival-horror, Resident Evil is the undisputed king of that genre. If you’re looking to replay this beloved franchise or check…

New Best Buy Sale Discounts Hundreds Of Games, 4K TVs, Laptops, And More

Best Buy has kicked off its latest sale, marking down a wide assortment of gaming, tech, and entertainment products through Thursday, April 22. Games featured in the…