I have a ThinkPad L14 Gen 1 that comes with a MediaTek MT7921 WiFi chip. I'm running NixOS alongside Windows, where the WiFi connection is stable. However, on Linux, the WiFi frequently becomes unusable. It's a bit complicated to explain, but I often see a 'network not found' error after it tries to connect for a bit, and I sometimes get a ghost connection instead. I've tried using Ethernet and reinstalling NetworkManager, which helps temporarily, but restarting NetworkManager doesn't really solve the problem. Has anyone experienced similar issues or have any tips on how to fix this?
2 Answers
The MediaTek MT7921 WiFi chip isn't well-supported under Linux. Some people have luck with it, but many run into issues like yours. Disabling power management sometimes helps, but if you're looking for a permanent fix, switching to an Intel AX200 or AX210 is your best bet. They’re reliable and well-supported, and you can usually find them for under $25.
If you're dual booting, make sure to disable fast startup in Windows. As for the WiFi, you might want to consider replacing the MediaTek card with an Intel AX210. It's an affordable upgrade, and you'll likely have much fewer issues on Linux with the Intel chipset. It's about as easy as swapping out RAM!
I haven't changed hardware before. How hard is it really? I mean, do I need special skills?
Yeah, MediaTek can be a pain! Every time I've used one, I've had trouble, whether on Linux or Windows. Switching out the card could be your best solution.