Ethernet disconnects while downloading on a specific m.2 drive

[LethaR]

The problem is the following: when i try to download any file, such as games or software, on one of my m.2 hard drives in particular, the ethernet disconnects as soon as the download process begins, even Steam crashes during the process. The strange thing is that this only happens on one of my m.2 hard drives, if I try to download any files on my other drives everything works perfectly fine. You will say then that the problem is that hard drive, but the m.2 is completely new, it is barely a few weeks old. Also, I bought this m.2 that is giving me problems just to replace another m.2 that I had installed in the same port on the motherboard (Asus b650-a gaming wifi), since it suddenly stopped working, converting to RAW format. The problem no longer has anything to do with that, but, as I said, the ethernet connection is automatically disconnected when trying to download anything, only on this particular m.2. Could it be a problem with the motherboard port? Is it a problem with the motherboard in general? maybe drivers? The truth is that I am very lost and it would be great to have some help. Thank you.

 

[Pictus]

- Make sure the motherboard BIOS is updated

ROG STRIX B650-A GAMING WIFI | Gaming motherboards｜ROG - Republic of Gamers｜ROG Global

The ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi is a future-forward platform with 12 + 2 power stages, hyperspeed DDR5 memory, and next-gen PCIe® 5.0 storage capabilities. It is equipped with three M.2 slots with heatsinks, a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port, WiFi 6E, AI Networking, Two-Way AI Noise Cancelation, and Aura...

rog.asus.com

- Verify if the SSD has some firmware update

- Make sure to install the chipset driver

https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/03CHIPSET/DRV_Chipset_AMD_AM5_SZ-TSD_W11_64_V503242328_20230410R.zip?model=ROG%20STRIX%20B650-A%20GAMING%20WIFI

- Install latest Intel LAN driver

Intel Ethernet Network Drivers 30.0.1 Download

This Intel network chip driver download installs the drivers, and the NIC configuration utility. Motherboards with the following Intel chipsets use

www.techpowerup.com

- Disable LAN Energy/GREEN/Power stuff

IF all fails change one of the SSD that works with the one that fails and see if it works.
If the problem still persist in that SSD slot, the motherboard is probably bad, but you
should also reseat the CPU(remove and place back) to see if it works.
IF still fails, than it is the motherboard.

 

[LethaR]

- Make sure the motherboard BIOS is updated

ROG STRIX B650-A GAMING WIFI | Gaming motherboards｜ROG - Republic of Gamers｜ROG Global

The ROG Strix B650-A Gaming WiFi is a future-forward platform with 12 + 2 power stages, hyperspeed DDR5 memory, and next-gen PCIe® 5.0 storage capabilities. It is equipped with three M.2 slots with heatsinks, a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port, WiFi 6E, AI Networking, Two-Way AI Noise Cancelation, and Aura...

rog.asus.com

- Verify if the SSD has some firmware update

- Make sure to install the chipset driver

https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/03CHIPSET/DRV_Chipset_AMD_AM5_SZ-TSD_W11_64_V503242328_20230410R.zip?model=ROG%20STRIX%20B650-A%20GAMING%20WIFI

- Install latest Intel LAN driver

Intel Ethernet Network Drivers 30.0.1 Download

This Intel network chip driver download installs the drivers, and the NIC configuration utility. Motherboards with the following Intel chipsets use

www.techpowerup.com

- Disable LAN Energy/GREEN/Power stuff

IF all fails change one of the SSD that works with the one that fails and see if it works.
If the problem still persist in that SSD slot, the motherboard is probably bad, but you
should also reseat the CPU(remove and place back) to see if it works.
IF still fails, than it is the motherboard.

Okay, so, responding step by step your solutions, here are my results:
-The motherboard bios is, in fact, not updated. Before updating it, i would like to solve a question: do i need to reset my bios settings to stock before doing the update? I changed lots of things for the cpu to run cooler and better (like the DOCP profile for the ram, i set a maximum voltage and a power limit, etc).
-I dont really know how to check that, i searched on google and said i had to enter device manager, click on the particular ssd and go to details, hardware ids and the firmware version should be displayed there. I attach an image of what i see so you can guide me.

-The latest chipset driver is already installed.
-The latest Intel LAN driver is also already installed, although i didnt use the link you sent me, i downloaded every driver from the official b650-a gaming website from asus.
-The options i see when going into the network center at the control panel are not the same as the ones in the image you sent, here's what i see (its in spanish, im sorry, but i think you can understand it)

So, the options you told me to disable (like green ethernet, power saving mode...) are not here. Its also strange how it shows the bluetooth and wifi as not conected while i have bluetooth devices being used and the probability to use Wifi aswell. Weird.

Thanks for helping and im waiting on your response.

 

[Pictus]

Okay, so, responding step by step your solutions, here are my results:
-The motherboard bios is, in fact, not updated. Before updating it, i would like to solve a question: do i need to reset my bios settings to stock before doing the update? I changed lots of things for the cpu to run cooler and better (like the DOCP profile for the ram, i set a maximum voltage and a power limit, etc).

It is a good idea to reset the BIOS.

-I dont really know how to check that, i searched on google and said i had to enter device manager, click on the particular ssd and go to details, hardware ids and the firmware version should be displayed there. I attach an image of what i see so you can guide me.

Check the SSD manufacturer site, if there is firmware update, it will have instructions and utilities.

-The latest Intel LAN driver is also already installed, although i didnt use the link you sent me, i downloaded every driver from the official b650-a gaming website from asus.

Asus does not always have the updated version.

-The options i see when going into the network center at the control panel are not the same as the ones in the image you sent, here's what i see (its in spanish, im sorry, but i think you can understand it)

I do not.

So, the options you told me to disable (like green ethernet, power saving mode...) are not here. Its also strange how it shows the bluetooth and wifi as not conected while i have bluetooth devices being used and the probability to use Wifi aswell. Weird.

Thanks for helping and im waiting on your response.

I am glad to help.

 

[LethaR]

It is a good idea to reset the BIOS.



Check the SSD manufacturer site, if there is firmware update, it will have instructions and utilities.


Asus does not always have the updated version.

I do not.

I am glad to help.

Okay, i will reset the bios before updating it then. Before doing that, im waiting for the response of Kingston to see if they can give me any solution. I contacted them explaining the problem with their ssd, because i couldn't find any utilities or driver updates or anything in their website.

I also tried to download the LAN drivers from your link, but i think those only work on intel mobos, im on amd (Ryzen 9 7900x). Also, do you think LAN drivers can actually be the problem? the ethernet works amazingly well when im not downloading in that specific m.2.

Im sorry to hear that you cant understand it. Could you explain me a little bit what do the options you told me to disable in the ethernet properties do? maybe i can find what those options are in spanish with a description of them.

Thanks again.

 

[Pictus]

I am glad to help.
I do not know what the problem is, try to discover what the problem is without touching the machine is toooo hard.
Update the BIOS and change the SSDs to see if it will work.

 

[LabRat 891]

At least to me, this sounds like an address sharing conflict (have had happen on Z68)
Does the iNIC get a 'code' in Device Manager when it drops?
Or, does the iNIC just completely drop off of being recognized?
Or, does the iNIC just stop working correctly, with no error or drop-out in device manager?

The other possibility, is related to Valve's warning about SSD selection: a 'noisy' SSD can crash or interfere with other components due to EMI or Transient currents on a very low-power 3.3v rail.

Easy things to try:
-Try a different Ethernet Cable (if easy, just try it. Ethernet cables can be as much an antenna as they are a picofarad capacitor.)
-Try updating BIOS/UEFI, and ensure defaults are loaded.
-If possible, switch the affected M.2 slot to gen2 mode.
-(probably unrelated) check if Spread Spectrum is enabled or disabled, and 'test' the scenario again, after switching it on/off.

(Looks like you've already tackled drivers.)

Edit:
Also, make sure your Power Plan is set to "High Performance" and go into the advanced settings to ensure HDD/Disk and Network power saving settings are off. Also, go into the advanced config on the Ethernet controller in Device Manager, and ensure it does not have any power saving settings on.
It shouldn't be related, but a 'glitching/glitched' power state change could crash the Ethernet controller.
I'd say power saving settings are a common cause for seemingly unrelated problems on self-built desktops. -worth checking, IMO

Edit: oh no... I missed that your board has the *infamous* 2.5gbps iNIC from Intel.
If that is the cause, you can force the iNIC into gigabit only, and will probably fix all this. The setting should be in the advanced settings in device manager's listing for the device.
On Link Speed, instead of Auto, set it to 1000, 1gbps, or 10/100/1000 (whatever option(s) are presented.)

 

[eidairaman1]

Replace the ssd

 

[LethaR]

Replace the ssd

Im pretty sure the ssd is not the problem, it is brand new and i bought it to replace another m.2 i had installed on the same m.2 port that was also giving me problems.

At least to me, this sounds like an address sharing conflict (have had happen on Z68)
Does the iNIC get a 'code' in Device Manager when it drops?
Or, does the iNIC just completely drop off of being recognized?
Or, does the iNIC just stop working correctly, with no error or drop-out in device manager?

The other possibility, is related to Valve's warning about SSD selection: a 'noisy' SSD can crash or interfere with other components due to EMI or Transient currents on a very low-power 3.3v rail.

Easy things to try:
-Try a different Ethernet Cable (if easy, just try it. Ethernet cables can be as much an antenna as they are a picofarad capacitor.)
-Try updating BIOS/UEFI, and ensure defaults are loaded.
-If possible, switch the affected M.2 slot to gen2 mode.
-(probably unrelated) check if Spread Spectrum is enabled or disabled, and 'test' the scenario again, after switching it on/off.

(Looks like you've already tackled drivers.)

Edit:
Also, make sure your Power Plan is set to "High Performance" and go into the advanced settings to ensure HDD/Disk and Network power saving settings are off. Also, go into the advanced config on the Ethernet controller in Device Manager, and ensure it does not have any power saving settings on.
It shouldn't be related, but a 'glitching/glitched' power state change could crash the Ethernet controller.
I'd say power saving settings are a common cause for seemingly unrelated problems on self-built desktops. -worth checking, IMO

Edit: oh no... I missed that your board has the *infamous* 2.5gbps iNIC from Intel.
If that is the cause, you can force the iNIC into gigabit only, and will probably fix all this. The setting should be in the advanced settings in device manager's listing for the device.
On Link Speed, instead of Auto, set it to 1000, 1gbps, or 10/100/1000 (whatever option(s) are presented.)

The first part of your response sounds to complicated for me hahah. I dont really know what "iNIC" is but, as far as i know, there's no error message shown when the Ethernet crashes. I just start the download of, for example, a game, it starts perfectly fine, going up to over 100MB/s and about 30 seconds later, the speed starts to slow down to finally get to 0B/s, it says then that "the connexion was lost" and when i check the Ethernet simbol on the expandable tasks button it shows as im only connected to Wifi. When that happens i still can browse the internet but any game i try to download tells me i have no connection and Steam shows as "disconnected". Then i restart the PC and the Ethernet goes back to normal, if i try to download that same game into my other m.2 or my other sata ssds, it downloads it without any issue.

I already tried with another Ethernet cable and it seems thats not the problem.
I think i should update the bios, yep. You think bios settings like DOCP (for the ram, which is DDR5 6000), set an offset curve for the cpu voltage or a maximum cpu consumption can cause anything like the problem im having? it seems so unrelated to have nothing to do with it...

Im going to set the ethernet speed to a maximum of 1gbps then, it seems the easier solution and the quickest. If it doesnt work, i will try the things above. Thanks for your help!