An aspect includes detecting a recurring intermittent error in a path of a network in a system that includes at least one data transmission port configured for connection to at least one shared data storage device via a plurality of paths of the network. It is determined by a path control module (PCM) in the network, whether a path recovery action has been initiated by a fiber channel protocol driver in the network. In response to determining that the path recovery action has not been initiated, the data transmission port is prevented from accessing the path for a specified time period by moving the path into a degraded sub-state, and subsequent to the specified time period the data transmission port is provided access to the path. In response to determining that the path recovery action has been initiated, the data transmission port is provided access to the path.