[x86-64] Realtek 8832BU WiFi Issue

Blueman · November 11, 2024 at 3:33 AM

Hi all, I'm currently running LE 12.0.1 Generic-legacy.x86_64 build. Everything is running well except for 2 minor issues I'd like to resolve with the help of this forum that I think are related to 'drivers'. I come from a windows background though so I'm not sure how to troubleshoot them for LE?

[topic moved to another thread by admin]

The second issue is that my internal wifi is working, but I can't get my newer USB WiFi adaptor to be recognised (newer WiFi6 compatible device). It is a Simplecom NW812 adaptor which appears to be using a Realtek 8832BU chipset.

If someone could advise me how I can get my system to recognise these devices properly it would be much appreciated!

**chewitt** · November 12, 2024 at 5:21 AM

Quote from Blueman

The second issue is that my internal wifi is working, but I can't get my newer USB WiFi adaptor to be recognised (newer WiFi6 compatible device). It is a Simplecom NW812 adaptor which appears to be using a Realtek 8832BU chipset.

RTL8832BU is not supported by the upstream kernel at the moment so you would need to self-build an LE image that includes the vendor drivers - we have long refused to add more of them because they're a pain in the rear to maintain over time. I can see a version of the driver here: https://github.com/lwfinger/rtl8852bu although the owner of that repo passed away recently so it's not being maintained and might need minor patches for the latest kernels. Self-build instructions are here: https://wiki.libreelec.tv/development/build-basics and you can crib the buildsystem package format from what we removed in https://github.com/LibreELEC/LibreELEC.tv/pull/9394 - normally all you need to do is change the package name and URL (and then hope the driver builds without needing patches).

If that sounds like rocket science and a change of WiFi card sounds easier https://github.com/morrownr/USB-WiFi has some good and current/up-to-date info on current state of Linux USB WiFi devices.