<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001288469-20-000075.txt : 20200408
<SEC-HEADER>0001288469-20-000075.hdr.sgml : 20200408
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20200408160640
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001288469-20-000075
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20200406
FILED AS OF DATE:		20200408
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20200408

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WALSH BRENDAN
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001478342

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-34666
		FILM NUMBER:		20782080

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2051 PALOMAR AIRPORT RD, SUITE 100
		CITY:			CARLSBAD
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92011

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MAXLINEAR INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001288469
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SEMICONDUCTORS & RELATED DEVICES [3674]
		IRS NUMBER:				141896129
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5966 LA PLACE CT.
		CITY:			CARLSBAD
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92008
		BUSINESS PHONE:		760-692-0711

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5966 LA PLACE CT.
		CITY:			CARLSBAD
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92008
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>wf-form4_158637638274761.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2020-04-06</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001288469</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MAXLINEAR INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MXL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001478342</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WALSH BRENDAN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O MAXLINEAR, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>5966 LA PLACE COURT, SUITE 100</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CARLSBAD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92008</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP, Product Line Marketing</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2020-04-06</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>810</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>172361</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2020-04-06</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>398</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>14.10</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>171963</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2020-04-06</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3105</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>175068</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2020-04-06</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1383</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>14.10</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>173685</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents shares of Common Stock issued to the Reporting Person in connection with the achievement of financial performance conditions  for the 2019 fiscal year that were approved as part of the 2019 performance-based restricted stock award granted on May 20, 2019. All shares were issued pursuant to the Company's 2010 Equity Incentive Plan.  Reporting Person deferred delivery of shares of Common Stock issuable under the performance-based restricted stock award for the 2019 fiscal year. On April 6, 2020, the deferred shares of Common Stock were delivered to the Reporting Person.  Shares withheld by the Company to satisfy tax withholding obligations (and the net issuance) are based on the closing price of the Company's Common Stock in trading on the New York Stock Exchange on April 6, 2020.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Represents shares of Common Stock issued to the Reporting Person in connection with an annual bonus award. All shares were issued pursuant to the Company's 2010 Equity Incentive Plan.  Grant amounts were determined based on the bonus award amount approved and the closing price of the Company's Common Stock in trading on the New York Stock Exchange on March 31, 2020.  Reporting Person deferred delivery of shares of Common Stock issuable in connection with the annual bonus award. On April 6, 2020, the deferred shares of Common Stock were delivered to the Reporting Person. Shares withheld by the Company to satisfy tax withholding obligations (and the net issuance) are based on the closing price of the Company's Common Stock in trading on the New York Stock Exchange on April 6, 2020.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Connie Kwong, as Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2020-04-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
