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morrownr / USB-WiFi

USB WiFi Adapter Information for Linux
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Warning: Use caution if you are considering buying a USB WiFi adapter or module with a Realtek WiFi 6 chip!!! #449

Open morrownr opened 4 weeks ago

morrownr commented 4 weeks ago

Hello All,

I have been seeing a steady increase in problem report messages from users of Realtek based WiFi 6 USB WiFi 6 wifi adapters. It 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:

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 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. The only way I will consider future work on Realtek WiFi 6 is if it is on USB support for the rtw89 driver. Not sure when that can happen so YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!

Realtek USB support on Linux is not good but is particular 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 List on the Main Menu. On the Main Menu is also USB WiFi chipset information for Linux which gives good information about supported chipsets. The information to help you make good decision is here... use it!

One last additional issue to consider is that all adapters that I am aware of the 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.

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 You 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

morrownr commented 2 weeks 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.