I recently installed Linux Mint Cinnamon 22.3, but the built-in Wi‑Fi is not working. The computer has a Qualcomm QCA9377 Wi‑Fi 6-capable card. I'm considering buying a USB Wi‑Fi adapter, but I would also need a USB hub because one port is used by my mouse and another must stay connected to the USB drive I use to boot Linux. Before spending money, I'd like to know whether this setup is likely to work reliably, or whether I should troubleshoot the internal Wi‑Fi and drivers first. Is any particular USB adapter or hub recommended?
3 Answers
A powered USB hub should generally handle a mouse, a boot USB drive, and a low-power Wi‑Fi adapter, but hubs can still vary in quality. If you buy one, choose a reputable powered model rather than the cheapest unpowered hub. Also remember that running Linux from a USB drive is less convenient and can be slower than installing it internally, so fixing the internal installation or Wi‑Fi may be worth considering.
A USB Wi‑Fi adapter should work, but there’s no absolute guarantee. Panda Wireless adapters are commonly recommended because several models have good Linux support, and the PAU0A nano adapter is a reasonably inexpensive option. Check the exact chipset before buying, since Linux compatibility depends more on the chipset than the brand.
You may not need to buy an adapter at all. Since the computer uses a Qualcomm QCA9377 card, first check whether the correct kernel firmware and drivers are installed. Updating Mint and installing the appropriate firmware package could bring the built-in Wi‑Fi back, which would also avoid using another USB port.
That makes sense. I’ll check the firmware and driver situation for the QCA9377 before buying anything.