I'm trying to set up a Ugreen WiFi adapter that I bought on Amazon, but I'm stuck because it came with a driver in .exe format that I can't run on CachyOS. I can't get internet access to download any drivers, so I'm looking for some advice on how to make this work or any alternatives.
6 Answers
If it doesn't work after connecting, returning it is a solid option. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth can be tricky on Linux. Most adapters with Intel chipsets work smoothly, but others like MTK and QCMM might have issues too. It's a mixed bag for sure!
As mentioned, WiFi adapters can be a bit finicky. You should try running `lsusb` with it plugged in, and also use `sudo dmesg -w` after unplugging it and then plugging it back in. This could give you insights into the chipset and its compatibility with Linux. If not, strongly consider returning it for a more compatible adapter.
Have you tried just rebooting your system with the adapter plugged in? Sometimes a simple restart can do the trick!
That .exe driver is definitely not going to work with Linux. Check if the product mentions support for Linux or Raspberry Pi. You might want to just plug it in and see if it gets recognized by the system right off the bat.
The Windows driver won't help you on CachyOS, which is Linux. You should look up the specific chipset of your adapter to see if there are Linux drivers available. If not, returning it might be your best bet. I have had great luck with the TP-Link Archer TU3 Plus; it's often plug-and-play on Arch Linux.
I got a different adapter that has been great—check out [this one](https://www.brostrend.com/products/axe5400-wifi-6e-tri-band-usb-adapter-ax8). It just worked out of the box without needing manual driver installation since the drivers are already included in the kernel.
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