Intermittent Loss of Wired Network Connection on Dell Pro Docks

Summary: The following article provides information about an intermittent wired network drop on Dell Pro Docking Stations. The operating system says it is connected with link lights visible on the Ethernet port, but there is no network traffic. ...

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Symptoms

The Internet connection through a Dell Pro dock may randomly stop working. The Windows operating system on the laptop shows that the network is still connected and has Internet access but there is no network traffic. The link light-emitting diode (LEDs) on the Ethernet port remain lit.

There are three methods to confirm this issue is happening:

  • The packets are timing out after opening a command prompt (CMD) and attempting to Ping any network address or website.
  • Running Ipconfig /renew command advises that the media is disconnected.
  • There can be an entry created under Network Adapters for an Intel Ethernet Controller I226-LMvP with a number (2) next to it in Device Manager.

Affected Platforms:

  • Dell 14 Premium DA14250
  • Dell Pro 13 Premium PA13250
  • Dell Pro 14 Plus PB14250
  • Dell Pro 14 Premium PA14250
  • Dell Pro Max 14 Premium MA14250
  • Dell Pro Max 16 Plus MB16250
  • Dell Pro Max 16 Premium MA16250
  • Dell Pro Max 18 Plus MB18250
  • Dell Pro Thunderbolt 4 Dock WD25TB4
  • Dell Pro Thunderbolt 4 Smart Dock SD25TB4
  • Dell Pro Thunderbolt 5 Dock WD25TB5
  • Dell Pro Thunderbolt 5 Smart Dock SD25TB5
  • XPS 13 9350

Cause

This is due to an address translation failure causing read and write permission errors.

Resolution

Recovery Steps:

  1. Unplug the network cable from the dock.

  2. Wait five seconds.

  3. Reconnect the network cable to the dock.

Note: Reconnecting the network cable to the dock allows the network connection to work until the laptop is rebooted. The issue may return after a reboot.
Note: Before starting the update, perform the following:

  1. Back up all personal data. For more information, refer to: Back Up and Recovery

  2. Connect the AC adapter.

Dell Pro 13 Plus PB13250, Dell Pro 14 Plus PB14250, and Dell Pro 16 Plus PB16250:

Updating the Intel PCIe Dock Ethernet Controller Driver to version 2.1.5.5 or later on the laptop resolves the issue. To download and install the Intel-PCIe-Dock-Ethernet-Controller-Driver_PG11M_WIN64_2.1.5.5_A02.exe file, refer to the: Driver Update Guide

Dell 14 Premium DA14250, Dell Pro 13 Premium PA13250, Dell Pro 14 Premium PA14250, Dell Pro Max 14 Premium MA14250, Dell Pro Max 16 Premium MA16250, Dell Pro Max 18 Plus MB18250, and XPS 13 9350:

Updating the Intel PCIe Dock Ethernet Controller Driver to version 2.1.5.6 or later on the laptop resolves the issue. To download and install the Intel-PCIe-Dock-Ethernet-Controller-Driver_4V34K_WIN64_2.1.5.6_A03.exe file, refer to the: Driver Update Guide

Affected Products

XPS 14 (Dell 14 Premium) DA14250, Dell Pro Max 14 Premium MA14250, Dell Pro Max 16 Premium MA16250, Dell Pro Max 16 Plus MB16250, Dell Pro Max 18 Plus MB18250, Dell Pro 13 Premium PA13250, Dell Pro 14 Premium PA14250, Dell Pro 14 Plus PB14250 , Dell Pro Thunderbolt 4 Smart Dock SD25TB4, Dell Pro Thunderbolt 5 Smart Dock SD25TB5, Dell Pro Thunderbolt 4 Dock WD25TB4, Dell Pro Thunderbolt 5 Dock WD25TB5, XPS 13 9350 ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000392979
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 24 May 2026
Version:  4
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