from Intel’s official archive (do not use driver updater tools):
Driver conflict with IPv6 or the “Auto” channel width. Fix:
While the Intel 7260 can work on Windows 11, it lacks modern security protocols like . It also misses out on the faster, less crowded 6GHz bands used by Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7. intel dual band wireless-ac 7260 driver windows 11
Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 adapter is officially End-of-Life (EOL)
Right-click on and choose Uninstall device . from Intel’s official archive (do not use driver
However, Intel has for this adapter. Instead, the latest Windows 10 drivers (version 18.33.7.1 or newer) are fully compatible with Windows 11 because the underlying network stack and driver model are nearly identical between the two OS versions.
While the methods above solve the vast majority of AC 7260 issues on Windows 11, physical hardware issues or irreconcilable conflicts can occur due to the card's age. If you are still encountering random Bluetooth or Wi-Fi disconnections, you may want to check the physical antennas inside your laptop or desktop. Over time, the tiny coaxial cables connecting to the card's two pins can become loose or damaged. Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 adapter is officially
This indicates a driver initialization failure.
Restart your PC; Windows 11 may automatically reinstall a stable, older generic version. Power Management Tweak: In Device Manager, right-click the Intel AC-7260 Properties Power Management "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" Maximum Performance Settings: Control Panel Hardware and Sound Power Options Change plan settings Change advanced power settings Set "Wireless Adapter Settings" > "Power Saving Mode" to Maximum Performance for both battery and plugged-in states. Intel Community Are you currently seeing a specific error code or experiencing intermittent disconnects with this card? Solved: Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 Driver Update