The Intel® Wi-Fi 6 AX201 is a new generation wireless adapter that supports the 802.11ax Wi-Fi standard. It offers significantly faster speeds, lower latency, and better performance in high-density environments compared to older 802.11ac adapters.
Like other hardware, the Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 requires the latest driver software to unlock its full capabilities. Updating to newer drivers improves connectivity, stability, and enables new features. This article will cover the latest Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 driver details, installation guide, optimizations, fixes, troubleshooting, settings, and compatibility.
Latest Intel® Wi-Fi 6 AX201 Driver Version
Intel regularly releases new drivers for the Wi-Fi 6 AX201 adapter. Below are the latest versions available as of February 2024:
Driver Version |
Release Date |
Updates |
23.650.1.22 |
January 2024 |
Bug fixes, performance improvements |
23.610.2.11 |
November 2023 |
Optimizations for Windows 11 2022 Update |
Key improvements in the current 23.6xx driver branch include:
- Faster throughput with 160MHz channel bandwidth
- Enhanced security with WPA3 support
- Windows 11 2022 Update compatibility fixes
- Resolved intermittent connection drops
- Improved Bluetooth coexistence
Updating to the latest AX201 driver is recommended for best connectivity and stability. Check the release notes for details on any new updates.
Installing/Updating Intel® Wi-Fi 6 AX201 Drivers
Follow these steps to properly install the newest Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 driver:
- Download the latest driver installer.
- Unzip the downloaded file if needed.
- Open Device Manager in Windows.
- Under Network adapters, right-click the Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 and select Update driver.
- Choose Browse my computer for driver software.
- Navigate to the downloaded driver folder.
- Click Next to begin the installation.
Considerations
- Temporarily connect via ethernet when updating the Wi-Fi driver.
- Uninstall the previous driver first if the update fails.
- After installing, reboot your computer.
- Confirm the new driver version in Device Manager.
Following these best practices ensures a smooth and successful update process.
New Features and Improvements
Key improvements and new features provided by updating to the latest Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 driver include:
- Higher throughput - Support for 160MHz channel width enables faster maximum speeds, up to 1.7Gbps when connected to a Wi-Fi 6 router.
- Lower latency - Optimizations provide up to 4x lower latency for more responsive online gaming and video.
- WPA3 security - Backward compatible with WPA2 devices but supports modern WPA3 encryption for enhanced security.
- Bluetooth fixes - Resolved intermittent Bluetooth disabling and pairing failures.
- Windows 11 support - Full compatibility and optimizations for Windows 11 2022 Update.
- Bug fixes - Stability fixes for sporadic connection drops and crashes. Smoother performance.
Overall, the latest AX201 driver unlocks the full potential of your Wi-Fi 6 wireless adapter. Keeping the driver updated is vital for the best experience.
Resolving Issues and Fixes
Updating to the most recent Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 driver resolves several notable bugs and issues:
- Fixed occasional Blue Screen crashes when waking from sleep
- Addressed Wi-Fi connection drops when Bluetooth is enabled
- Corrected 160MHz channel errors under heavy load
- Resolved inability to connect to hidden networks
- Improved compatibility with newly released routers
- Stability fixes for adapters stuck "identifying" with no internet
Here are some of the improvements in recent driver releases:
23.650.1.22
- Fixed BSOD crashes upon waking from sleep
- Improved throughput stability with 160MHz networks
23.610.2.11
- Resolved hidden network connection issues
- Fixed Wi-Fi drops when Bluetooth is in use
- Improved router compatibility
23.560.3.70
- Corrected errors on 160MHz channel connections
- Addressed "identifying" state connectivity problems
Updating your AX201 driver ensures you get all the latest bug fixes and improvements from Intel.
Troubleshooting Intel® Wi-Fi 6 AX201 Problems
If you experience connectivity or speed issues using the Intel AX201 adapter, try these troubleshooting steps:
Update Driver
- Download newest Wi-Fi 6 AX201 driver from Intel.
- Uninstall existing driver and reboot.
- Install updated driver and restart system.
Disable/Enable Adapter
- Open Device Manager > Network adapters.
- Disable the AX201 adapter, then re-enable it.
Reset Network Settings
- Access Network & Internet settings in Windows.
- Click "Reset network" to restore defaults.
Uninstall Problematic Driver
- Boot into Safe Mode.
- Uninstall recently updated Wi-Fi/Bluetooth drivers.
- Install older stable AX201 driver.
Check Router Compatibility
- Verify router firmware is updated to latest stable release.
- Check router Wi-Fi mode is 802.11ax compatible.
Contact Intel support if issues persist after troubleshooting.
Intel® Wi-Fi 6 AX201 Driver Settings
The Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 adapter includes various configurable driver settings:
Wireless Mode - Choose the preferred wireless protocol like 802.11ax or 802.11ac depending on your router.
Channel Width - Select 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz or 160MHz channel width. Higher bandwidths enable faster speeds.
Transmit Power - Option to increase/decrease Wi-Fi signal strength if needed.
Bluetooth Collaboration - Allows simultaneously connecting Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices.
Radio Settings - Advanced settings to enable/disable specific wireless radio bands.
Power Saving - Configure power saving options that optimize battery life.
Adjust settings appropriately to maximize Wi-Fi connectivity, speed, and system battery life.
Compatibility and Requirements
The latest Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 drivers are compatible with:
- Windows 11 - Fully supported and optimized
- Windows 10 - Fully supported and optimized
Driver requirements:
- Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 wireless adapter
- x86 or x64 architecture
- 300MB free disk space
- Administrator account to install
No major compatibility issues. Ensure your Windows OS is fully updated first.
Conclusion
The Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 adapter delivers cutting-edge 802.11ax wireless performance and capabilities when paired with the latest drivers. Updating to the newest driver (version 23.6xx) unlocks critical features like 160MHz bandwidth for faster speeds, WPA3 security support, and stability fixes.
Installation is easy using the standard Device Manager update process. Properly configuring settings optimizes connectivity and battery life. Overall, keeping your AX201 driver maintained provides a smoother and faster wireless experience.
As Intel releases new driver updates, promptly install them to get the latest optimizations and improvements. The current Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 driver enables excellent next-gen Wi-Fi performance.