Intel Network Connections causes high CPU usage

[alee001]

I don’t know if Windows 11 has been updated recently, but now every time I turn on the home workstation, I immediately notice the Intel Network Connections load, and the CPU is occupied at 15% for several minutes.

I tried disabling it in "Services" but it still works the same every time I restart the system.

Is this program necessary? Can it be unused or unloaded? Thanks.

[Srri]

Greetings W.K,

Thank you for contacting Intel Customer Support.

The central processing unit (CPU) is a PC’s brain. All of the system’s major components, like the graphics card and RAM, rely on instructions that come from the CPU. A properly functioning processor is a critical part of every gaming PC.

All processors have limits, and it’s normal for high-intensity games and applications to hit those limits without badly impacting performance. However, abnormally high CPU usage can cause the computer to stutter, become unresponsive, or crash.

If your computer seems to overwork its CPU even when high-intensity applications are closed, it may indicate a deeper problem. This can happen for several different reasons, which is why it’s important to learn how to fix high CPU usage in Windows 11.

Please check the link below for more information and steps for HIGH CPU USAGE.

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/gaming/resources/how-to-fix-high-cpu-usage.html

If you have any further questions or queries, please kindly let us know.

Best Regards,

Srri 

Intel Customer Support

[alee001]

Thank you for your reference.

I just want to know why Intel Network Connections is (automatically) installed after updating to Windows 11 recently (there was no such program before), and the CPU is occupied for a while when the computer is turned on...

The Intel Network Connections program obviously inconveniences my workstation and does not help.

[Srri]

Hello W.K,

The Intel(R) Network Connections software manages your Ethernet Network Controller (Wired Ethernet Connection) drivers.

If you don't regularly connect your laptop to the internet using a cable, your computer should be OK with the generic driver that Windows* will automatically install once you remove the software. For more information we can recommend engaging our team over at the /tech/wired/content Wired Ethernet Support Community, or your computer manufacturer.

- https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/topics/oems.html Computer Manufacturer Support Websites

- https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000006628/network-and-i-o/ethernet-products.html Support Options for Intel® Ethernet Controllers

We hope this information helps.

If you have any further questions or queries, please kindly let us know.

Best Regards,

Srri 

Intel Customer Support

[alee001]

Thanks for your refer,

I am using a Dell Precision 3650 workstation, and there is no relevant driver update on the official website. Previously, every time I turned on the system, Intel Network Connections would execute and occupy about 15% of the CPU (i9-11900K) and then stop for a period of time.

However, in the past few days, I have discovered that Intel Network Connections has been switched to manual in "Services" and no longer consumes high CPU resources.

I don’t know why the program automatically activates it, and I don’t know when or when it will happen again when Windows 11 is updated next time?

[Srri]

Hello W.K,

Please review the link below and it might help you:-

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000005593/ethernet-products.html

Please check and try, and let us know the feedback.

If you have any further questions or queries, please kindly let us know.

Best Regards,

Srri 

Intel Customer Support

[alee001]

Thank you for your attention,

Note that Intel Network Connections takes up CPU for a period of time (about 5 minutes) every time it is turned on. I don't know what or how to use it, but it may affect other programs running on the network (such as Power Automate Desktop).

Problem seems unsolvable?

[Srri]

Hello W.K,

Sorry to hear that, we would like to suggest you to go ahead and post your questions in Intel Embedded Community, and select Embedded Connectivity and post your question *in that forum to assist you further. Please follow the link below:

https://community.intel.com/t5/Embedded-Products/ct-p/embedded-products

If you have any further questions or queries, please kindly let us know.

Best Regards,

Srri 

Intel Customer Support

[alee001]

Sorry, as an ordinary user, I really don’t know the complex classification of products and software in the Intel forum to ask questions.

It would be better if you could or improved on moving users' wrong posts to the correct section so that users don't have to spend time creating new posts.

[Srri]

Hello W.K,

Apologies for the inconvenience. Have you tried to check with the Embedded Community, any updates from the community.

If you have any further questions or queries, please kindly let us know.

Best Regards,

Srri 

Intel Customer Support

[Srri]

Hello W.K,

Any updates from the Embedded Community that we suggested.

Can we close this ticket since you can follow up with Embedded Community.

If you have any further questions or queries, please kindly let us know.

Best Regards,

Srri 

Intel Customer Support

[Srri]

Hello W.K,

Any updates from the Embedded Community that we suggested.

Can we close this ticket since you can follow up with Embedded Community.

If you have any further questions or queries, please kindly let us know.

Best Regards,

Srri 

Intel Customer Support

[alee001]

Sorry, I don't quite understand what you mean. The problem still exists. How to solve it?

[Srri]

Hello W.K,

We have suggest you to go ahead and post your questions in Intel Embedded Community due to more , and select Embedded Connectivity and post your question in that forum to assist due to complex classification of products and software. Please follow the link below:

https://community.intel.com/t5/Embedded-Products/ct-p/embedded-products

If you have any further questions or queries, please kindly let us know.

Best Regards,

Srri 

Intel Customer Support

[alee001]

I found that if I select Intel Connectivity Network Service to disable it in the service item list, the system will still automatically execute it the next time it is turned on, but entering its content and disabling it can effectively disable its execution.

The problem can be solved temporarily.

[Srri]

Hello W.K,

Alright, meanwhile can you please post your enquiries with Embedded Community for any suggestions regarding the advance settings for the windows 11.

https://community.intel.com/t5/Embedded-Products/ct-p/embedded-products

If you have any further questions or queries, please kindly let us know.

Best Regards,

Srri 

Intel Customer Support

[Srri]

Hello W.K,

Any updates from the Intel Embedded Community that we suggested.

Can we close this Intel Community ticket since you can follow up with Intel Embedded Community.

If you have any further questions or queries, please kindly let us know.

Best Regards,

Srri 

Intel Customer Support

[Srri]

Hello W.K,

Any updates from the Intel Embedded Community that we suggested.

If you have any further questions or queries, please kindly let us know.

Best Regards,

Srri 

Intel Customer Support

[alee001 · Accepted solution]

Thank you for your response,

After updating Windows, I have been able to permanently disable Intel Network Connections execution. Now the system can operate normally and the problem has been solved.

[Srri]

Hello W.K,

Thank you for the update. Since your issue is resolved, we will proceed to close this case.

If you have further questions, pls let us know.

Thank You & Regards,

Srri

Intel Customer Support

[robinwilson16]

For anyone still having this issue and arriving here searching for an answer and not getting one, if you go into Windows Services you can disable this service and it seems to have no effect on the network connection.

My device has no ethernet ports as is a laptop but does have a USB-c adaptor and I have this same issue on a few devices all purchased around 2021 with 11th gen Intel chips so I just disable this service on all of them as it just wastes memory, slows the computers down and provides no benefit. There is no need to uninstall drivers or anything else.