Debian 12.04: WiFi Realtek Not Working - Hotspot Password Issue
In this article, we will discuss the issue of WiFi not working on Debian 12.04 with a Realtek network card, specifically when trying to enter a hotspot password. We will cover the key concepts related to this issue and provide a detailed context to help you troubleshoot and resolve the problem.
Identifying the WiFi Network Card
The first step in troubleshooting the WiFi issue is to identify the network card. You can do this by running the following command in the terminal:
# lspci | grep -i wirelessThis command will display a list of wireless network cards installed on your system. Take note of the device ID, as it will be useful in identifying the correct driver for your network card.
Checking for the Correct Driver
Once you have identified the network card, the next step is to check if the correct driver is installed. Realtek network cards require specific drivers to function properly. You can check if the correct driver is installed by running the following command:
# lsmod | grep rtlIf the output returns a list of rtl modules, then the correct driver is installed. If not, you will need to install the correct driver for your network card.
Installing the Correct Driver
To install the correct driver, you will need to download the latest driver from the Realtek website. Once downloaded, extract the contents of the driver package and navigate to the directory containing the driver files.
Next, blacklist the current driver by editing the /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf file and adding the following line:
blacklist rtl8723deSave and close the file, then reboot your system.
After rebooting, load the new driver by running the following command:
# modprobe rtl8723deReplace rtl8723de with the correct module name for your network card.
Configuring WiFi Settings
Once the correct driver is installed, you will need to configure the WiFi settings. This includes setting the WiFi country code, enabling power management, and configuring the network manager.
To set the WiFi country code, run the following command:
# iw reg getIf the country code is not set, run the following command to set it:
# iw reg set USReplace US with the correct country code for your region.
To enable power management, edit the /etc/NetworkManager/conf.d/default-wifi-powersave-on.conf file and change the value of the wifi.powersave option to 2.
Finally, restart the network manager by running the following command:
# systemctl restart NetworkManagerEntering the Hotspot Password
Once the WiFi settings are configured, you can now enter the hotspot password. To do this, click on the WiFi icon in the system tray and select the hotspot network.
Enter the password in the password field and click the Connect button. The system will now attempt to connect to the hotspot network.
- Identify the WiFi network card by running the
# lspci | grep -i wirelesscommand. - Check if the correct driver is installed by running the
# lsmod | grep rtlcommand. - Install the correct driver by downloading it from the Realtek website and running the
# modprobecommand. - Configure the WiFi settings by setting the WiFi country code, enabling power management, and configuring the network manager.
- Enter the hotspot password by clicking on the WiFi icon in the system tray and selecting the hotspot network.
References
- Realtek Wireless Network Driver: https://www.realtek.com/en/component/zoo/category/network-interface-controllers-10-100-1000m-gigabit-ethernet-pci-express-software
- NetworkManager: https://wiki.debian.org/NetworkManager