Hey everyone! I have a bit of a technical question that I'm hoping to clarify. Is it possible for a newer version of the Linux kernel to not support a specific WiFi adapter, while an older version does?
Here's why I'm asking: I started using Linux Mint, and my WiFi worked perfectly right away. But after trying other distributions like Fedora and Kubuntu, I ran into issues. Although I could connect to the WiFi, the internet speed would slow down drastically after a few minutes.
I wasn't too surprised that Fedora had issues since it's quite different from Mint, but I was confused about Kubuntu, especially since both Mint and Kubuntu share similar foundations. I thought it would work seamlessly based on that. I suspect it could be because Kubuntu's newer kernel version may not support my adapter. Is that a valid assumption, or could there be other factors at play?
Just a side note: my adapter is a Tp-Link model, which I've heard can be problematic on Linux. I'm considering buying a new adapter that's better suited for Linux, but I'm curious to understand the underlying reasons for these connectivity issues.
1 Answer
Yes, it's definitely possible for a newer kernel to lack support for certain WiFi chipsets, but it's pretty rare these days. Typically, kernel updates improve support rather than remove it. However, I'd need to know the specific chipset of your WiFi adapter because just the brand and model aren't enough—the chipsets can differ significantly over time.
If you're looking for a new adapter, I highly recommend going for one with an Intel AX200 or AX210 chipset. These are among the best supported for Linux and generally offer good performance.
Check out the documentation on supported drivers if you're interested: [Kernel Wireless Documentation](https://wireless.docs.kernel.org/en/latest/en/users/drivers.html).
Thanks for replying! My adapter is a Tp-Link Archer T4U Plus (AC1300). According to `lsusb`, it uses the Realtek RTL8812BU chipset. It looks like the driver in use might not be the best fit either, which could explain the issues.
By the way, how good are the Intel PCIe cards in terms of range? My router is about 15 meters away in another room, so I'm wondering if that might affect the connection quality.