Gigabit ethernet connection stops working (frozes)

[argych]

Hello all,

Last months i'm facing uncomfortable issues with my ethernet adapter (Realtek Gaming GbE Controller), that suddenly my network connection stops working. The weird thing is that on the adapter light is keep working but i'm not able to make it function (unplug/plug the cable) or trying to run the HW diagnostics since i get that the network cable is unplugged ! 

The only solution is to reboot my laptop but then i get the Blue Screen with a stop code "Driver Power State Failure"..

The system is up-to-date so the drivers .. I have followed up some mitigations that were addressed in HP forum but still the same .. !!

Any help on this issue would be more than appreciate it.

Regards,

Argiris

[Max3Aj]

@argych, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you. 
You're dealing with a frustrating Ethernet adapter issue with the Realtek Gaming GbE Ethernet adapter, characterized by random disconnections and a "Driver Power State Failure" BSOD. Let's break down a comprehensive troubleshooting approach:

✅ Targeted Fixes

Driver Management

• Uninstall Current Driver:
  • Go to Device Manager
  • Right-click Realtek Gaming GbE Controller
  • Select Uninstall device
  • Check "Delete the driver software for this device"
• Download Stable Driver Version:
  • Target versions 10.39.x or 10.50.x
  • Download from HP Support or Realtek's official website

Power Management Optimization

• Device Power Settings:
  • In Device Manager, right-click adapter
  • Go to Properties → Power Management
  • Uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power"
• Advanced Power Settings:
  • Control Panel > Power Options > Change plan settings
  • Set these options:
    • PCI Express > Link State Power Management: Off
    • Wireless Adapter Settings > Power Saving Mode: Maximum Performance
    • Sleep > Hybrid Sleep: Off

Disable Fast Startup

• Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do
• Click "Change settings that are currently unavailable"
• Uncheck "Turn on fast startup"

System Diagnostics

• Check Event Viewer:
  • Look for system log errors around crash times
• Update BIOS/UEFI:
  • Visit HP support site
  • Download and install latest firmware

Hardware Verification

• Test with:
  • Different Ethernet cable
  • Alternative router/switch port

Advanced Troubleshooting

• Safe Mode Test:
  • Boot into Safe Mode with Networking
  • Check if issue persists
• System File Check:

sfc /scannow DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Last Resort

• Use HP Cloud Recovery or Reset This PC (Only after exhausting all driver/power setting troubleshooting)

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support 

[argych]

Hello @Max3Aj , 

thank you for your assistance but i would like some clarifications if it is feasible.

The latest driver on HP Support Center is 10.72.xx .. I cannot find the 10.50 release. Is it possible to provide me the link somehow ? 

On realtek support 10.74.xx is available. Please advice if i need to install this one (Still not available through  HP Support assistant). 

Furthermore, i have proceed with the mitigations on Device properties and i have disable both power saving mode and green ethernet (attached some screenshots.. Apologies that the display Value is in Greek 🙂 ) 

On Power Setting the PCI Express -> Link State Power Management, i had already disabled them ...

But i cannot find the rest of proposed settings (Seems they are not available).. Could you please support ? 

Regards.

[Max3Aj]

@argych, Thank you for your response. 
You're definitely on the right track, and you’ve already done most of the tricky stuff like:

• Disabling Power Saving Mode and Green Ethernet in the adapter settings ✅
• Disabling Link State Power Management in the advanced power settings ✅

Let me clarify and guide you through the rest:

🔍 Regarding Missing Power Settings

You mentioned not seeing some options like:

• PCI Express > Link State Power Management – You found and disabled this already ✅
• Other options I mentioned (like Wireless Adapter Settings, Hybrid Sleep, etc.) may be hidden or not visible because:

1. Your laptop may have custom HP power plans.
2. Group policy or registry entries may be hiding them.
3. You're on a desktop-like performance profile where these options aren't applicable.

You can try unlocking all power settings using this command:

👉 Open Command Prompt as Administrator, then run:
powercfg -attributes SUB_SLEEP 94ac6d29-73ce-41a6-809f-6363ba21b47e -ATTRIB_HIDE
powercfg -attributes SUB_SLEEP 29f6c1db-86da-48c5-9fdb-f2b67b1f44da -ATTRIB_HIDE
powercfg -attributes SUB_SLEEP 238169c2-25d9-47c6-9a3e-1c7b6051ff3e -ATTRIB_HIDE
powercfg -attributes SUB_BUTTONS 4f971e89-eebd-4455-a8de-9e59040e7347 -ATTRIB_HIDE
 

After that, reopen the Power Options > Advanced Settings and see if the extra categories now show up.

📦 About the Realtek Driver Version

• HP’s 10.72.xx is the latest WHQL they tested — stable for most users, but in your case, you’ve got a BSOD happening.
• Realtek’s 10.74.xx (from their official site) is technically newer, and might have bug fixes HP hasn’t validated yet.

🔽 Here’s what I suggest:

Uninstall the current driver from Device Manager (check "Delete the driver software").

Then install Realtek 10.50.511.2021 (which is known to be very stable for Gaming GbE NICs).

If the problem still persists after driver rollback, try disabling Fast Startup if not already done:

• Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what power buttons do > Change settings that are currently unavailable
• Then uncheck "Turn on fast startup"

I hope this helps!

If my response resolves your issue, please click “Accepted Solution” to help others find the answer. Also, don’t forget to click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up” button to say thanks!

Take care and have a great day.

Max3Aj

HP Support

[argych · Accepted solution]

Hi @MAx3Aj .. 

thanks again for your support in order to solve this issue. 

I have tried to unlock the missing features but still they are not available 😞 

I have proceed with the rest steps uninstalling current adapter version and install the recommended. 

For the moment i believe i should wait if the issue re-appears or not. 

Thank you again for your support.