---
name: "iwm"
section: "4"
platform: "freebsd"
package: "base"
version: "16.0-CURRENT-20261027-61c70dc16a79"
release: "FreeBSD 16.0-CURRENT (2026-10-27)"
platforms: ["freebsd", "openbsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/if_iwm"
---

# iwm(4)

Intel IEEE 802.11ac wireless network driver

Part of [if\_iwm(4)](/if_iwm/4.md).

## NAME

**iwm** – Intel IEEE 802.11ac wireless network driver

## SYNOPSIS

To compile this driver into the kernel, include the following lines in your kernel configuration file:

**device iwm** **device pci** **device wlan** **device firmware**

You also need to select a firmware for your device. Choose one from:

**device iwm3160fw** **device iwm3168fw** **device iwm7260fw** **device iwm7265fw** **device iwm7265Dfw** **device iwm8000Cfw** **device iwm8265fw** **device iwm9000fw** **device iwm9260fw**

Or you can use

**device iwmfw**

to include them all.

Alternatively, to load the driver as a module at boot time, place the following lines in [loader.conf(5)](/loader.conf/5.md):

```
if_iwm_load="YES"
iwm3160fw_load="YES"
iwm3168fw_load="YES"
iwm7260fw_load="YES"
iwm7265fw_load="YES"
iwm7265Dfw_load="YES"
iwm8000Cfw_load="YES"
iwm8265fw_load="YES"
iwm9000fw_load="YES"
iwm9260fw_load="YES"
```

## DESCRIPTION

The **iwm** driver supports running most Intel Wireless AC series network devices in **station** mode operation. Only one virtual interface may be configured at any time. This driver requires the firmware built with the [iwmfw(4)](/iwmfw/4.md) module to work.

For more information on configuring this device, see [ifconfig(8)](/ifconfig/8.md).

## HARDWARE

The **iwm** driver supports the following PCIe Wi-Fi devices:

- Intel Dual Band Wireless AC 3160

- Intel Dual Band Wireless AC 3165

- Intel Dual Band Wireless AC 3168

- Intel Dual Band Wireless AC 7260

- Intel Dual Band Wireless AC 7265

- Intel Dual Band Wireless AC 8260

- Intel Dual Band Wireless AC 8265

- Intel Dual Band Wireless AC 9260

- Intel Dual Band Wireless AC 9270

- Intel Dual Band Wireless AC 946X

- Intel Dual Band Wireless AC 9560

## EXAMPLES

Join an existing BSS network (i.e., connect to an access point):

```
ifconfig wlan create wlandev iwm0 inet 192.0.2.20/24
```

Join a specific BSS network with network name *my\_net*:

```
ifconfig wlan create wlandev iwm0 ssid my_net up
```

Join a specific BSS network with 64-bit WEP encryption:

```
ifconfig wlan create wlandev iwm0 ssid my_net \
    wepmode on wepkey 0x1234567890 weptxkey 1 up
```

Join a specific BSS network with 128-bit WEP encryption:

```
ifconfig wlan create wlandev iwm0 wlanmode adhoc ssid my_net \
    wepmode on wepkey 0x01020304050607080910111213 weptxkey 1
```

## DIAGNOSTICS

- iwm%d: device timeout

  The driver will reset the hardware. This should not happen.

- iwm%d: firmware error

  The onboard microcontroller crashed for some reason. The driver will reset the hardware. This should not happen.

- iwm%d: timeout waiting for firmware initialization to complete

  The onboard microcontroller failed to initialize in time. This should not happen.

- iwm%d: could not load firmware image '%s'

  The driver failed to load the firmware image using the [firmware(9)](/firmware/9.md) subsystem. Verify the [iwmfw(4)](/iwmfw/4.md) firmware module is present.

- iwm%d: could not load boot firmware

  An attempt to upload the boot firmware image to the onboard microcontroller failed. This should not happen.

- iwm%d: could not load microcode

  An attempt to upload the microcode image to the onboard microcontroller failed. This should not happen.

- iwm%d: could not load main firmware

  An attempt to upload the main firmware image to the onboard microcontroller failed. This should not happen.

## SEE ALSO

[iwlwifi(4)](/iwlwifi/4.md), [iwmfw(4)](/iwmfw/4.md), [pci(4)](/pci/4.md), [wlan(4)](/wlan/4.md), [wlan\_ccmp(4)](/wlan_ccmp/4.md), [wlan\_tkip(4)](/wlan_tkip/4.md), [wlan\_wep(4)](/wlan_wep/4.md), [networking(7)](/networking/7.md), [ifconfig(8)](/ifconfig/8.md), [wpa\_supplicant(8)](/wpa_supplicant/8.md)

## BUGS

Currently, **iwm** only supports 802.11a/b/g modes. It will not associate to access points that are configured to operate only in 802.11n/ac modes.