If you’ve recently been confronted with the terrifying Blue Screen of Death (aka BSOD… yes, it has its own acronym) when using Windows 11, Intel may have found the cause and is offering a solution. According to Intel, the recent BSOD is likely caused by a faulty Wi-Fi driver, which it has released an update that should fix. An update for Bluetooth has also been released, version 23.30, which should provide additional stability.
Intel WLAN driver version 23.30 is Intel’s February 2024 Wi-Fi update that should prevent Windows 11 from crashing and displaying the BSOD. This update fixes more than just the crash issue in Windows 11, as described in Intel’s full release notes for the update. Other improvements include improved Quality of Service (QoS), allowing devices to better prioritize Internet traffic Windows Latest explains that this could improve the overall Internet performance of a device connected to a router used by multiple devices. Intel has also made changes that should improve network latency, which is good news for those who enjoy playing online games.
Since installing the first driver update, users have been reporting issues such as Windows System Event ID 5002 errors occurring frequently. Other issues included difficulty finding Wi-Fi networks and connecting to monitors using the Miracast wireless feature.
How and when you can expect these updates
If you have a capable Windows 11 device with Intel Wi-Fi and Bluetooth components, you can expect these updates to arrive in your device’s Windows Update app. If for some reason you don’t see these or you want to speed up the process (since they aren’t installed yet), you can use the Intel Driver and Support Assistant (iDSA) to download and install them. You can do this by Go to the Intel website and download the installation file for the iDSAand open the app once it is installed. Let the app check for updates and if they are available for your device they should appear. If you have any problems with the updates after they are installed, you should be able to roll back to older versions through the Device Manager app.
If you are experiencing other issues with your Windows 11 device, Intel-based or not, you can download and install the Windows 11 February 2024 Optional Update. This version comes with a host of updates and fixes and should also bring a performance boost. These are set to install automatically with Microsoft’s Windows 11 Moment 5 updates, but are available to try in this optional update. Fixes for connectivity and Wi-Fi issues are always good news, so this is a welcome development from Intel, and I would always recommend installing updates that are available, both for improved functionality and the most up-to-date security improvements .