Zorin-OS version 17.3 with Core-64 and 64-bit R2 struggles to connect to Wi-Fi.
Zorin-OS version 17.3 with Core-64 and 64-bit R2 struggles to connect to Wi-Fi.
After 20 minutes of trying to figure out the setup, your commands kept returning nothing except the next cursor. Even copying and pasting into a USB key didn’t help with your typing. Work@work-pc:~$ sudo modprobe rtl8xxxu [sudo] password for work: work@work-pc:~$ sudo modprobe 8192fu Work@work-pc:~$ rfkill ID TYPE DEVICE SOFT HARD 0 wlan phy0 unblocked unblocked 1 bluetooth hci0 blocked unblocked Work@work-pc:~$ sudo systemctl restart networkmanager Failed to restart networkmanager.service: Unit networkmanager.service not found. Work@work-pc:~$ sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager Work@work-pc:~$ nmcli dev DEVICE TYPE STATE CONNECTION enp6s0 ethernet connected Wired connection 1 wlx90de80ddd0c9 wifi disconnected -- p2p-dev-wlx90de80ddd0c9 wifi-p2p disconnected -- lo loopback unmanaged Work@work-pc:~$ Shut down the pc and we had a brownout. Came back 2 hours later started everything again and it’s working we have wifi. Only problem is I have 8 more PCs to do this on and no idea what fixed it. FYI I live in Asia now so my time line is off. I check when I wake up and before I go to bed. Thanks to everyone for your help.
I experienced that adapter before. It was really unsettling. The kernel drivers for that device aren't officially released, so you need to locate the latest versions on GitHub and install them yourself. Avoid using PPA sources—they seem insufficiently maintained.
To fix the issue, you likely needed to uninstall and reinstall the USB modeswitch. This process removes the storage device and switches to the WiFi part of the card. Adding the dkms module and then restarting the system might resolve the problem. Commands like rfkill, nmcli, and NetworkManager were just for checking connections. rfkill indicates if a device is blocked, which can help unblock it. nmcli dev shows what NetworkManager detects and controls. NetworkManager is the standard tool in most distros for handling network connections; restarting it via systemctl can refresh its state. The aim is that if the device wasn’t recognized before, it should become available after a restart. Using modprobe loads kernel modules and lsmod lists them, with grep filtering results. The rtl8192fu-dkms module should prevent rtl8xxxu from loading automatically, as it’s already present in the kernel. Checking with "lsmod | grep 8192fu" reveals its presence; if it shows up, rtl8192fu-dkms is active. If not, "lsmod | grep rtl8xxxu" should display it. If one appears but not the other, the module isn’t needed.
I replaced the SSD and reinstalled Zorin on the same computer, and it connected to Wi-Fi right away. After updates, everything ran smoothly without any issues. It seems the system switched to using a hard drive, which resolved the problem. This is great news since many computers have been fixed this way. The only challenge now is dealing with Linux Mint. That’s just tomorrow’s issue.
Linux Mint PCs show the same problem after updates—every USB dongle is detected via Isusb but isn<|pad|>, and the Wi-Fi isn’t listed. You’ve tried commands without success. Consider moving this to a different topic or keeping it here.
Why not explore Zorin 18? I’m not familiar with Zorin or the features of Kernel 17.3, but you’re free to experiment without risk. Or consider a stronger WiFi adapter. Not every device runs smoothly on Linux, and even if it does, its stability over time is uncertain. Honestly, I’d have tried a more recent Linux version or maybe W11 if it suited you. If you prefer something easier to use, MX Linux KDE is a good option—it supports advanced hardware and lets you port newer kernels. Fedora is another choice, though it can be tricky because it doesn’t include certain free software by default. You’d need to install those manually. At least these alternatives can help you verify if your hardware works well in Linux, avoiding the hassle of dealing with Ubuntu LTS versions.
There are some devices in the area around 15 PCs, though I’m not sure where exactly. The person who created and sold them all used the same basic Wi-Fi adapter, and whenever a new update starts, we keep getting issues. I’m stuck using the car I have. Windows doesn’t work on these machines, they’re about 9 years old, and there’s no TPM. I know there are workarounds, but once another update comes around, it’s going to be tough. I just want to keep going until I can upgrade everything.
You understand, even if your terminal hacking succeeds, you’ll likely need to apply it across all 15 PCs. With fifteen machines, a Linux distribution capable of generating a live ISO would be ideal. You could configure one PC to your preferences, create a live ISO there, and then deploy that ISO on the remaining systems. This would ensure identical settings, software, and even passwords across all devices. Once you master this approach, identifying the essential code snippets becomes straightforward. In most cases, unless you have specific requirements, using a standard distro is preferable for everyday users. I see no reason to rely on W11, but your i7-6700 W11 upgrade from 23H2 to 24H2 is still pending (still awaiting 25H2). There are methods to manually trigger an upgrade, but installing 25H2 guarantees at least two years of stability. Should none of the Linux options succeed, you’ll have to reassess. Ultimately, it depends on your needs. I’d recommend considering a contemporary Linux distribution. The older Ubuntu variants had limited compatibility, except for those based on Ubuntu—Mint and Kubuntu were the exceptions. Ironically, Ubuntu itself seemed like a 1980s project. You might want to try a few different ones. MX Linux can also produce a persistent USB stick, allowing you to test the installation on a flash drive while preserving changes. I don’t know if Zorin supports this feature, but it could simplify the process without needing an SSD.