morrownr
commented
5 months ago Here is an example of an adapter that Linux users want to avoid:
https://us-store.msi.com/Wireless-Adapter/AXE5400-WiFi-USB-adapter?limit=24
If you scroll down, you can see that the company is listing Linux as supported. Beware! The only support for this chip currently is an out-of-kernel poor quality, non-standards compliant driver. It could be years before a good quality, standards compliant driver support is available for this adapter and other Realtek WiFi 6 adapters.
The adapter is classified as AXE5400. Mediatek does not make an AXE5400 class chip, only Realtek does. Mediatek goes directly from AXE3000 to BE6500.
Linux users beware! Be informed so you can avoid deceptively advertised products such as the above.
smoke
Hello All,
I have been seeing a steady increase in problem report messages from users of Realtek based WiFi 6 USB adapters. The level of reports is to the point that I think I need to add more warnings around this site for users to see. As you will see below, my strong recommendation has been and continues to be for Linux USB wifi adapter and module users to AVOID products that include Realtek WiFi 6 USB chips. This includes the following chips:
rtl8851bu rtl8852/32au rtl8852/32bu rtl8852/32cu
Why?
Realtek still does not provide USB support for WiFi 6 that is in accordance with established Linux Wireless Standards. All they are providing is out-of-kernel drivers that are based on some of their own ideas which means these drivers will never be allowed into the Linux kernel. Even if we don't care about standards, the Linux WiFi 6 out-of-kernel drivers are BAD. I worked on the Realtek out-of-kernel for the rtl8852/32au chip after it was released. I wanted to get it at least to the point that managed mode would work reasonably well for users but I was never able to make that happen. The driver is JUNK. I have a driver up here for the rtl8852/32bu chip but I have warnings posted. The only mode that I can say that works reasonably well is managed mode. The driver as a whole is JUNK. Community support for Realtek out-of-kernel drivers has dwindled greatly in the last few years. I suspect one of the main reasons for this declining lack of internet is that we now have several USB chips from Mediatek that are well supported in the kernel. What this means is that users that decide to buy Realtek USB WiFi 6 adapters may have very limited, if any, community support and it is likely that good in-kernel driver support may not happen and if it does happen, it would likely take several years. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!
Realtek USB support on Linux is not good but is particularly BAD for WiFi 6. If you want to buy a USB adapter or module that is supported with Linux Wireless Standards compliant drivers, see the
Plug and Play Liston the Main Menu. On the Main Menu is alsoUSB WiFi chipset information for Linuxwhich gives good information about supported chipsets. The information to help you make good decisions is here... use it!One last additional issue to consider is that all adapters that I am aware of that use Realtek WiFi 6 chips are multi-state. This means that they have a windows driver onboard. This is another potential problem area that Linux users should consider as a negative in the decision making process.
To repeat, I strongly recommend that Linux users avoid USB WiFi adapters and modules based on Realtek WiFi 6 chips. It could be years before well supported, standards compliant drivers are available...if it ever happens. Your happiness will likely be far better if you use the Plug and Play List and pick out one of the well supported adapters. If you have questions, please ask.
Regards,
@morrownr