BSOD-Unexpected Kernel Mode Trap-Netwtw04.sys Network Adapter-driver problem

Question

Need help in finding driver to fix apparently bad Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165 network adapter on my DELL Inspiron 15-5567. Either I need a more up-to-date driver or network adapter is no longer working as it has in past.

I have been getting many BSOD with Unexpected Kernel Mode Trap errors that has been increasing in frequency recently. I have found that this error usually occurs when system first turned on and booted; shortly afterwards I would get BSOD then system would re-boot (This occurs at other times as well) . The fact that this happens a lot during initial boot was only realized from viewing logs of mini-dump in BlueScreenView. I had this problem in December 2022 and system crashed and CLEAN install was needed in January 2023.

Per post and help on another site forum this was traced to that above driver/WIFI network adapter. Memory dumps analyzed indicated netwtw04.sys, used in this driver, was the cause; the WindDbg program was used to analyze and determine this. Since this is a DELL laptop I was referred to the DELL site for further guidance.

I appreciate any assistance. Thank you.

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Datafoot · Accepted Answer

I ran DISM, then sfc /scannow, then CHKDSK /r. No corruption or repairs were needed.

Since 4/5 when I made my post I have not had any more BSOD problems so something that I did afterwards may have corrected the problem (at least temporarily). After the post I tried downloading and installing the best network adapter on the DELL site for my machine; I'm not sure if it was the correct one or not. I l also went into Device Management and completely uninstalled Network Adapter, so of course WIFI would not work; I then tried re-installing one of the downloaded driver versions but WIFI still would not work again. I then did a System Restore and allowed the system to return to earlier state. The system ended up working again.

DELL Update was also on my machine and may have downloaded a fix and/or Windows Update may have downloaded a proper driver. Alternatively, by uninstalling the driver and having it re-installed any corruption in the file may have been fixed.

I scanned my hard drive recently with HSSScan a week ago and found that the hard drive is deteriorating, although it still works. It is possible that the driver file was in a sector that was bad so the driver file in turn got corrupted in this way.

I do not know what what happened but I have not had a BSOD screen per running BlueScreenView since 4/5 so things somehow got fixed. I can run Mini-Tool to see what drivers etc. are on my system to see if it tells more. Beyond that...I may just need to wait until I get this error again; I did a CLEAN install mid-January and no problems for about a month.

confuseduser43 · Answer

Hello,

I would run dell ePSA to check if it finds any issues with your hardware with your laptop powered off hold down the fn key and press the power button run the extended tests not the short ones this can take quite a while..If ePSA finds issues you can come back and post it however ePSA contains your personal dell servicetag if you post screenshots you need to mask out your servicetag .

Inspiron 5567 is starting to show his age (2016) keep that in mind to.

Saltgrass · Answer

Have you given any thought to replacing the Wi-Fi card?

You might check the Service Manual for the system and see how that is done. I changed out the 1x1 card on my system the day I got it (7567 Gaming). Currently running an Intel AX210 card on the system although an AX200 would also work.

Datafoot · Answer

I'm not sure what WIFI network adapter card to replace it with; hopefully, I can get by with just getting a different driver, Since I have a laptop it is hard for a non-tech person like me to open up and repair it myself; will need to have expert tech do this.

Datafoot · Answer

I ran the DELL Diagnostics ePSA Test with 'thorough test' checked (ran about 4 hours. All seems good with my system except the battery which is at about 54%; I know it needs to be replaced but I expect to get a new laptop within the next 1-2 years as WIN10 OS expires then.

confuseduser43 · Answer

Hello,

Ok ePSA doesn't find anything next thing to check is (possible) component store corruption open a command prompt as administrator and type :

sfc /scannow (reboot when complete)

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /CheckHealth

if corruption is reported

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

This can take a long time depending on the amount of corruption found.

Your service manual is here and yes you could replace the wifi card.

Inspiron

BSOD-Unexpected Kernel Mode Trap-Netwtw04.sys Network Adapter-driver problem

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