Linux is an open-source operating system that is widely used across the world. As the system is open-source, users can modify or customize it to suit their needs. Due to this, Linux supports almost all hardware, including wifi. However, many people face problems with wifi connectivity on Linux due to wifi driver issues. Realtek wifi is one such driver that can cause issues when trying to connect to the internet on Linux. But don’t worry, we are here to help you with the installation process.
Video Tutorial:
Requirements
To install the Realtek wifi driver on Linux, we need the following requirements:
1. A properly installed and updated Linux operating system.
2. A compatible Realtek wifi driver for the system.
3. A stable internet connection to download the driver.
4. Basic knowledge of Terminal commands in Linux.
What should be paid attention to?
Before installing the Realtek wifi driver on Linux, you should ensure that you have a stable internet connection. Installing the wrong driver can cause system instability or even crash the system. Therefore, it’s crucial to download and install the correct driver for the device.
Method 1: Download and Install the Realtek Wifi Driver from the Official Website
To install the Realtek wifi driver on Linux, follow these steps:
1. Open the Terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on the keyboard.
2. Type the following commands in the terminal to update the system:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
3. Now, visit the Realtek official website and download the latest Realtek wifi driver for Linux.
4. Extract the downloaded file to a folder.
5. Open the Terminal and navigate to the extracted directory location by using the cd command with the path of the extracted folder.
cd /path/to/the/extracted/folder
6. Enter the following command to install the driver:
sudo make
sudo make install
7. Once the installation completes, restart the system.
8. After restarting the system, check if the wifi is working correctly by connecting to a network.
Method 2: Install the Realtek Wifi Driver using the Package Manager
If you want to install the Realtek wifi driver using the package manager, follow these steps:
1. Open the Terminal on your system.
2. Type the following command in the Terminal to update the system:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
3. Now, type the following command to install the Realtek wifi driver:
sudo apt-get install linux-firmware
4. Once the installation completes, restart the system.
5. After restarting the system, check if the wifi is working correctly by connecting to a network.
Method 3: Install the Realtek Wifi Driver using DKMS
DKMS stands for Dynamic Kernel aModule Support. It is a framework that allows the installation of new kernel modules without needing a full kernel recompilation. To install the Realtek wifi driver using DKMS, follow these steps:
1. Open the Terminal on your system.
2. Type the following command in the Terminal to update the system:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
3. Now, type the following command to install DKMS:
sudo apt-get install dkms
4. Visit the Realtek official website and download the latest Realtek wifi driver for Linux.
5. Extract the downloaded file to a folder.
6. Open the Terminal and navigate to the extracted directory location by using the cd command with the path of the extracted folder.
cd /path/to/the/extracted/folder
7. Now, run the following command to install the driver using DKMS:
sudo ./dkms-install.sh
8. Once the installation completes, restart the system.
9. After restarting the system, check if the wifi is working correctly by connecting to a network.
Why can’t I install the Realtek wifi driver?
1. The most common reason for failing to install the Realtek wifi driver on Linux is due to the incompatibility of the driver with the Linux version. Ensure that you’ve downloaded the right driver that matches your Linux version.
2. Another reason could be incorrect installation steps. Carefully follow the method that matches your skill level, and you won’t have any installation problems.
3. Additionally, having an unstable internet connection while downloading the driver may cause installation problems. Ensure that the internet connection is reliable before starting the installation process.
Suggestions
1. Always download and install the latest version of the Realtek wifi driver to avoid issues.
2. Ensure that you have a stable internet connection before downloading the driver.
3. Follow the installation steps accurately, and don’t make any changes that are not listed in the method.
FAQs
Q: Does Linux support all Realtek wifi drivers?
A: No. Linux support for Realtek Wifi drivers is continually improving. However, there are times when the kernel version being used does not include support for a specific device. In that case, the user would have to download the appropriate drivers manually.
Q: Can I install the Realtek wifi driver without an internet connection?
A: No. You can’t install the Realtek wifi driver without an internet connection. The driver installation process requires an active internet connection to download and install the necessary dependencies.
Q: Can I uninstall the Realtek wifi driver after I’ve installed it on Linux?
A: Yes. You can uninstall the Realtek wifi driver from the system by using the command "sudo make uninstall" in the terminal. Alternatively, you can remove the driver by heading over to "Software & Updates" in Linux and removing the installed Realtek wifi driver.
Q: How do I know if the Realtek wifi driver is installed correctly?
A: You can check if the Realtek wifi driver is correctly installed by connecting to a network. If the connection is successful, then the driver is installed correctly. You can also check the driver version by typing "lsmod | grep rtl" in the terminal.
Q: Can I use the Realtek wifi driver on all Linux distributions?
A: Yes. The Realtek wifi driver is compatible with almost all Linux distributions. However, ensure that you’ve downloaded the driver from the appropriate website for your specific version of Linux.
Conclusion
In conclusion, installing the Realtek wifi driver on Linux is not as daunting as it seems. There are multiple methods to install the driver, and each one is simple yet effective. Ensure that you follow the method that matches your skill level accurately, and you won’t have any installation problems. We hope that this guide provides all the information you need to install the Realtek wifi driver on Linux effortlessly.
