AC 8260 BSOD at least once a day

[TPaqu]

Running latest version of the Intel drivers for Windows 10 64bit, 18.40.0.9. (as of Mar 29, 2016). My computer keeps BSOD every few hours, making the system almost unusable and getting very frustrating. I've opened a service support case already # 00345567‏. Even with the older version of the driver, same issue persists. Perhaps anyone here has seen this as well and as a solution?

Each program that I find to analyze the minidump files (5 in the past 2 days), identifies the culprit in each minidump as the following:

On Tue 2016-03-29 2:26:56 PM GMT your computer crashed

crash dump file: C:\Windows\Minidump\032916-5859-01.dmp

This was probably caused by the following module: netwtw04.sys (Netwtw04+0x32DC2)

Bugcheck code: 0xD1 (0x8, 0x2, 0x0, 0xFFFFF80194C10E28)

Error: DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

file path: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\netwtw04.sys

product: Intel® Wireless WiFi Link Adapter

company: Intel Corporation

description: Intel® Wireless WiFi Link Driver

Bug check description: This indicates that a kernel-mode driver attempted to access pageable memory at a process IRQL that was too high.

This appears to be a typical software driver bug and is not likely to be caused by a hardware problem.

A third party driver was identified as the probable root cause of this system error. It is suggested you look for an update for the following driver: netwtw04.sys (Intel® Wireless WiFi Link Driver, Intel Corporation).

Google query: Intel Corporation DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

Computer specs:

Windows version: Windows 10 , 10.0, build: 10586

Windows dir: C:\Windows

Hardware: Z170N-Gaming 5, Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.

CPU: GenuineIntel Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-6600 CPU @ 3.30GHz Intel586, level: 6

4 logical processors, active mask: 15

RAM: 17127149568 bytes total

[jbenavides]

Hello TrevP,

Please do a clean install of the Wireless driver to discard any issues with the current installation or configuration. To achieve this, you can do the following these steps:

- Obtain the generic Intel driver version from: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25833/Intel-PROSet-Wireless-Software-for-Windows-10 Drivers & Software. Currently 18.40.0. Optionally, you can try the process with the recommende driver from http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5529# dl Gigabyte Support.

- Go to your System Settings, Installed apps and features, then Uninstall "Intel® PROSet/Wireless Software", if it is installed. When prompted, choose the option to "Discard settings".

- In Device Manager - Network Adapters, right click on the Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 8260 and Uninstall it. Make sure you mark the option to "Delete the driver software for this device".

- Reboot the PC or scan for hardware changes, check device manager again and if an older driver is detected and installed, repeat the actions to uninstall and delete it as well. Repeat this process until the OS does not allow deleting the driver, or until the controller shows as Unknown Device.

- Install the driver you downloaded before, customizing the setup to install all driver components.

Check if the issue is solved, if not please apply the following actions:

- Go the Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 8260 Properties (in Device Manager), in the "Power Management" tab and toggle Off/On the option "Allow the computer to turn off this devices to save power". Then check if the behavior changes.

- Disable Fastboot in your Motherboard.

[TPaqu]

Hi Jon,

I've done the first 6 steps as you have outlined above (download latest driver, uninstall software, uninstall device and delete driver until the device no longer shows as AC 8260, reboot, install driver, disable power saving mode). Fast boot was already disabled.

So far everything is clean. I'll update in a few days how it is coming along.

Fingers crossed!

[jbenavides]

Thanks for the update TrevP. Let's keep an eye on the system and let us know if the issue is resolved, or if it persists so we can look for further options.

[TPaqu]

Two BSODs within 10 minutes of each other. Both identifying the Intel Wifi driver.

On Mon 2016-04-04 10:34:32 PM GMT your computer crashed

crash dump file: C:\Windows\Minidump\040416-5921-01.dmpThis was probably caused by the following module: http://www.google.com/search?q=netwtw04.sys netwtw04.sys (Netwtw04+0x32DC2) Bugcheck code: 0xD1 (0x8, 0x2, 0x0, 0xFFFFF80081930E28)Error: http://www.google.com/search?q=MSDN+bugcheck+DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUALfile path: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\netwtw04.sysproduct: http://www.google.com/search?q=Intel%C2%AE%20Wireless%20WiFi%20Link%20Adapter Intel® Wireless WiFi Link Adaptercompany: http://www.google.com/search?q=Intel%20Corporation Intel Corporationdescription: Intel® Wireless WiFi Link DriverBug check description: This indicates that a kernel-mode driver attempted to access pageable memory at a process IRQL that was too high.This appears to be a typical software driver bug and is not likely to be caused by a hardware problem. A third party driver was identified as the probable root cause of this system error. It is suggested you look for an update for the following driver: netwtw04.sys (Intel® Wireless WiFi Link Driver, Intel Corporation). Google query: http://www.google.com/search?q=netwtw04.sys+Intel%20Corporation+DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Intel Corporation DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

On Mon 2016-04-04 10:34:32 PM GMT your computer crashed

crash dump file: C:\Windows\memory.dmpThis was probably caused by the following module: http://www.google.com/search?q=netwtw04.sys netwtw04.sys (Netwtw04+0x32DC2) Bugcheck code: 0xD1 (0x8, 0x2, 0x0, 0xFFFFF80081930E28)Error: http://www.google.com/search?q=MSDN+bugcheck+DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUALfile path: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\netwtw04.sysproduct: http://www.google.com/search?q=Intel%C2%AE%20Wireless%20WiFi%20Link%20Adapter Intel® Wireless WiFi Link Adaptercompany: http://www.google.com/search?q=Intel%20Corporation Intel Corporationdescription: Intel® Wireless WiFi Link DriverBug check description: This indicates that a kernel-mode driver attempted to access pageable memory at a process IRQL that was too high.This appears to be a typical software driver bug and is not likely to be caused by a hardware problem. A third party driver was identified as the probable root cause of this system error. It is suggested you look for an update for the following driver: netwtw04.sys (Intel® Wireless WiFi Link Driver, Intel Corporation). Google query: http://www.google.com/search?q=netwtw04.sys+Intel%20Corporation+DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Intel Corporation DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

Next steps?

[jbenavides]

Hello TrevP,

We will need to perform additional research and get more information in order to resolve this issue.

Please check your private messages for additional details.

[jbenavides]

Hello,

We are currently looking into this issue and will provide further updates soon.

[akimb]

I'm having the same issue. I've tried many different things over the last 6 months as well as multiple different drivers. I have the exact same motherboard as you TrevP.

On Sat 7/2/2016 6:33:58 AM GMT your computer crashed

crash dump file: C:\WINDOWS\Minidump\070216-5203-01.dmpThis was probably caused by the following module: http://www.google.com/search?q=netwtw04.sys netwtw04.sys (Netwtw04+0x309528) Bugcheck code: 0xD1 (0xFFFFF801AD018160, 0x2, 0x8, 0xFFFFF801AD018160)Error: http://www.google.com/search?q=MSDN+bugcheck+DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUALfile path: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\netwtw04.sysproduct: http://www.google.com/search?q=Intel%C2%AE%20Wireless%20WiFi%20Link%20Adapter Intel® Wireless WiFi Link Adaptercompany: http://www.google.com/search?q=Intel%20Corporation Intel Corporationdescription: Intel® Wireless WiFi Link DriverBug check description: This indicates that a kernel-mode driver attempted to access pageable memory at a process IRQL that was too high.This appears to be a typical software driver bug and is not likely to be caused by a hardware problem. A third party driver was identified as the probable root cause of this system error. It is suggested you look for an update for the following driver: netwtw04.sys (Intel® Wireless WiFi Link Driver, Intel Corporation). Google query: http://www.google.com/search?q=netwtw04.sys+Intel%20Corporation+DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL Intel Corporation DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

At least once a day and then whenever i reboot i have to disconnect from my network and reconnect.

[TPaqu]

I've uploaded 9 minidump files to the support case; latest one from yesterday. All I get is "we are working on it".

Jonathan: Any idea when will this be resolved? This case has been open for over 3 months.

(Edited by moderator to remove ticket number/JB)

[idata]

Hello Trevor,

We have answered to your message in the support ticket. We would like to inform that Intel® PROSet/Wireless Software and Drivers for Windows® 10, version 18.40.4 was recently released:

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26096/Intel-PROSet-Wireless-Software-and-Drivers-for-Windows-10?product=86068 https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26096/Intel-PROSet-Wireless-Software-and-Drivers-for-Windows-10?product=86068

Please update to the new driver, if the issue persists, apply the actions recommended before in the power management tab, power plan and fast startup. Then let us know if the issue persists.JB

[TPaqu]

Quick update. I installed 18.40.4, and the issue still occurs. I've updated the ticket with the latest minidump file.

[idata]

Hello Trevor,

Please use your personal support ticket to provide updates, so we can avoid duplicate efforts.The community thread will be updated once we have details of the issue.JB

[idata]

Hello,

In cases where the system shows BSOD's like the one mentioned in this thread, the main action to take is installing the latest driver from https://downloadcenter.intel.com/product/86068/Intel-Dual-Band-Wireless-AC-8260 Intel® Download Center for the Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 8260. At the time of this post it is https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26214/Intel-PROSet-Wireless-Software-and-Drivers-for-Windows-10?product=86068 Intel® PROSet/Wireless Software and Drivers for Windows® 10 [19.2.0].Additionally, this behavior can also be caused by Network monitoring tools, so a good step to test is uninstalling this type of software. Anti-virus software may have a similar impact as well.