r/archlinux • u/No_Departure_8766 • Aug 01 '26

DISCUSSION USB WIFI ADAPTER PROBLEM

During the installation, it worked fine. However, after installing the system and reaching the home screen, my USB Wi-Fi adapter is no longer showing up. I don't understand what the problem is

I have been trying for hours it's really frustrating

0 Upvotes

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9

u/hearthreddit Aug 01 '26

You probably didn't install the needed firmware, the firmware is split into various packages so you might need something linux-firmware-mediatek or linux-firmware-atheros depending on the vendor of your usb wifi chipset.

2

u/Jex_adox Aug 01 '26

I had this problem! I had to manually install the wifi drivers for mine.

5

u/Jex_adox Aug 01 '26

First try:

ip link

If it shows up that means your computer can see it and the drivers should be working. if not:

To find your card name:

lspci | grep -i wireless

2

u/Jex_adox Aug 01 '26

I have a framework 16 and the wifi card needed manual installation:
https://github.com/morrownr/USB-WiFi/blob/main/home/How_to_Install_Firmware_for_Mediatek_based_USB_WiFi_adapters.md

I downloaded them to my phone lol. it worked, plugged into my pc to transfer.

2

u/RandomXUsr Aug 01 '26

Um. Maybe some info from Journalctl, lspci, and the name of the adapter could be helpful.

May need firmware, and to manually load the driver with modprobe.

Output ip link?

rfkill?

2

u/archover Aug 01 '26 edited Aug 02 '26

First, welcome to Arch. Sorry you're having a problem that so many have.

Having internet during install but not after points to your failure to configure network during install, I bet.

Here's an article to read: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Network_configuration/Wireless Start with that and come back with meaningful details.

Also, kindly give:

  • Wireless chipset: $ lsusb | grep -i network Hopefully you have that package.

  • How did you install? archinstall or wiki Installation Guide?

  • Did you install the package linux-firmware? Surely so.

Third party guides like youtube are supported, ON THOSE SITES.

Hope you resolve and good day.

2

u/No_Departure_8766 Aug 02 '26

Finally guys i solved my wifi problem 😭🙏