Intel Ethernet Controller I226-V

Intel identifies the I226-V as a single-port client Ethernet controller in the I226 series, and Intel's I225/I226 product brief describes 10M/100M/1G/2.5G operation. Reaching 2.5 Gbps still requires compatible cabling and network equipment. Intel's product page does not substantiate a blanket claim that I226-V fixes I225-V stability issues or that every board requires a user-serviceable firmware pairing, so follow the exact board maker's package and advisories.

Ethernet & LAN reference

Family profile

Reference coverage: Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page
Hardware category: Ethernet & LAN
Manufacturer: Intel
Related families listed: 14 in this category, 21 elsewhere from Intel

This coverage label describes releases discussed by this publication, not certified compatibility. Confirm the exact device or PC model, hardware revision, current Windows release, and current package requirements on the publisher source before making a change. Windows 10 Home and Pro reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Extended security updates and other editions have separate lifecycle terms; a driver listing does not extend Windows support.

Intel Ethernet Controller I226-V at a glance

Detail	What it means for you
Controller class	Refined consumer multi-gig NIC
Max link speed	2.5 Gbps, falls back to 1 Gbps
Bus and port	PCIe, RJ-45 on current boards
Driver source	Board maker's package aligned with firmware
Stability watch	Check exact board and controller-revision advisories
Common failure mode	Check cable, switch, settings, driver, and board guidance

A quick read on what this family is and what to expect from its driver package.

How to tell this is what you have

Reads as Intel Ethernet Controller I226-V
Member of Intel's I226 controller series
Supports up to 2.5 Gbps with a compatible link partner

Worth knowing: Newer 2.5GbE controller on current boards.

Device Driver Guide does not host driver files or bundle an updater. This page documents the Intel Ethernet Controller I226-Vfamily; its citations are selected from the package-source policy recorded for this family.

Official links, no hosted downloads

Device Driver Guide hosts no executables or updater tools. External citations are limited to official publisher documentation pages and are labeled before you leave this site.

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Open the listed ethernet & lan directory

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Full Ethernet & LAN reference

Useful guides

Package path for Intel Ethernet Controller I226-V

The family record names Board maker's package aligned with firmware as the package source. Use Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and Windows release; verify the official support page only as reference coverage, then check the current publisher requirements for the exact model, hardware revision, Windows release, and PC configuration. A family name alone does not establish compatibility.

Shared identification, preparation, installation, verification, and rollback procedures are maintained on the full ethernet & lan guide, rather than repeated on every family page. The citations below follow this family’s declared vendor, system-update, PC-maker, or motherboard-maker source policy.

Official sources and citations

These links serve two different purposes. A manufacturer support selector helps you find an exact model, but does not prove that a package or feature exists for every product in a family. Claim-specific documents explain the cited technology, requirement, lifecycle, or bounded package example. In either case, check the publisher domain, exact model and hardware revision, operating-system release, supported-products list, and package notes before making a change.

ASUS downloads and documentation
ASUS: Use this publisher-maintained page to match the exact ASUS model and operating-system release before selecting a package.
Gigabyte downloads and documentation
Gigabyte: Use this publisher-maintained page to match the exact Gigabyte model and operating-system release before selecting a package.
MSI downloads and documentation
MSI: Use this publisher-maintained page to match the exact MSI model and operating-system release before selecting a package.
ASRock downloads and documentation
ASRock: Use this publisher-maintained page to match the exact ASRock model and operating-system release before selecting a package.
Windows 10 Home and Pro lifecycle
Microsoft Lifecycle: Lifecycle documentation for Windows 10 Home and Pro; separately governed editions and servicing channels can have different dates.
Intel I225/I226 controller product brief
Intel: Controller capabilities document, not a motherboard driver recommendation; match board revision and OEM package.

Device Driver Guide is an independent reference, not a repair or technical-support service. It does not host or mirror installers and receives no payment for these links. A named-model package example applies only to the systems and operating systems on that publisher page; it is not a recommendation to install the package across a family. Report a moved or incorrect link through the correction form.

Other ethernet & lan families to compare

Intel Ethernet Controller I226-V next to the other 14 families in this category

Family	Manufacturer	Reference coverage	How you recognize it
Intel Ethernet Controller I226-V (this page)	Intel	Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page	Reads as Intel Ethernet Controller I226-V
Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller	Realtek	Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page	Reads as Realtek PCIe GbE Family Controller in Device Manager
Realtek PCIe 2.5GbE Family Controller	Realtek	Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page	Reads as Realtek PCIe 2.5GbE Family Controller
Realtek USB GbE Family Controller	Realtek	Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page	Reads as Realtek USB GbE Family Controller
Intel Ethernet Connection I219	Intel	Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page	Reads as Intel Ethernet Connection I219 in Device Manager
Intel Ethernet Controller I225-V	Intel	Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page	Reads as Intel Ethernet Controller I225-V
Intel Ethernet Server Adapter I210	Intel	Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page	Reads as Intel Ethernet Server Adapter I210
Dell Integrated LAN (OEM package)	Dell	Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page	Delivered as a Dell package matched to a Service Tag
HP Integrated Network Adapter (OEM package)	HP	Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page	Located by HP product or serial number
Lenovo Integrated Ethernet (OEM package)	Lenovo	Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page	Matched by Lenovo machine type and model
ASUS Motherboard LAN Driver (OEM package)	ASUS	Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page	Downloaded from a specific ASUS motherboard support page
MSI Motherboard LAN Driver (OEM package)	MSI	Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page	Selected by exact MSI board model and revision
Gigabyte Motherboard LAN Driver (OEM package)	Gigabyte	Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page	Chosen by exact Gigabyte or Aorus board model and revision
ASRock Motherboard LAN Driver (OEM package)	ASRock	Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page	Found on the specific ASRock board's support page
Acer Integrated LAN (OEM package)	Acer	Varies by exact controller, hardware revision, system or board package, and release; verify the official support page	Located by Acer model or serial number

Use this when you are not certain which family your hardware belongs to.

Other Intel families in the catalog

Intel hardware documented outside ethernet & lan

Family	Category	Reference coverage
Intel Smart Sound Technology (SST)	Audio & Sound	10, 11
Intel Display Audio (HDMI/DisplayPort)	Audio & Sound	10, 11
Intel Arc Graphics	Graphics & Video	10/11 only where the current Intel package lists the GPU
Intel Iris Xe / UHD Graphics	Graphics & Video	10/11 only where the selected package lists this GPU or PC model
Intel USB 3.x eXtensible Host Controller	USB & Thunderbolt	Modern 10/11 use the inbox xHCI driver; legacy packages vary
Intel Thunderbolt Controller and Software	USB & Thunderbolt	10/11 only where listed for the exact controller or device package
Intel USB4 Connection Manager	USB & Thunderbolt	11 on systems implementing native USB4 support
Intel Wi-Fi (Wireless Adapter Family)	Network & Wi-Fi	Varies by exact adapter, system or board model, package, and release; verify the official support page
Intel Ethernet Controllers	Network & Wi-Fi	Varies by exact adapter, system or board model, package, and release; verify the official support page
Killer Networking (via PC and board makers)	Network & Wi-Fi	Varies by exact adapter, system or board model, package, and release; verify the official support page

The same manufacturer often ships several unrelated device classes, each with its own package.

11 further Intel families are listed on the Intel manufacturer page.