failed to start up hostapd because of nl80211 driver

[soh0ro0t]

Description of problem:

Latest hostapd compiled from master branch failed to launch.

Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable):

hostapd v2.7-devel

Running environment:

> uname -a
Linux soh0ro0t 4.15.0-34-generic #37~16.04.1-Ubuntu SMP Tue Aug 28 10:44:06 UTC 2018 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

> sudo ./hostapd hostapd_wpa3.conf.bak -dd -K
random: Trying to read entropy from /dev/random
Configuration file: hostapd_wpa3.conf.bak
nl80211: TDLS supported
nl80211: TDLS external setup
nl80211: Supported cipher 00-0f-ac:1
nl80211: Supported cipher 00-0f-ac:5
nl80211: Supported cipher 00-0f-ac:2
nl80211: Supported cipher 00-0f-ac:4
nl80211: Supported cipher 00-0f-ac:10
nl80211: Supported cipher 00-0f-ac:8
nl80211: Supported cipher 00-0f-ac:9
nl80211: Supported cipher 00-0f-ac:6
nl80211: Supported cipher 00-0f-ac:13
nl80211: Supported cipher 00-0f-ac:11
nl80211: Supported cipher 00-0f-ac:12
nl80211: Using driver-based off-channel TX
nl80211: Driver-advertised extended capabilities (default) - hexdump(len=8): 04 00 00 00 00 00 00 40
nl80211: Driver-advertised extended capabilities mask (default) - hexdump(len=8): 04 00 00 00 00 00 00 40
nl80211: Supported vendor command: vendor_id=0x1374 subcmd=1
nl80211: Supported vendor event: vendor_id=0x1374 subcmd=1
nl80211: Use separate P2P group interface (driver advertised support)
nl80211: use P2P_DEVICE support
nl80211: interface wlan0 in phy phy0
nl80211: Set mode ifindex 3 iftype 3 (AP)
nl80211: Setup AP(wlan0) - device_ap_sme=0 use_monitor=0
nl80211: Subscribe to mgmt frames with AP handle 0x825370
nl80211: Register frame type=0xb0 (WLAN_FC_STYPE_AUTH) nl_handle=0x825370 match=
nl80211: Register frame type=0x0 (WLAN_FC_STYPE_ASSOC_REQ) nl_handle=0x825370 match=
nl80211: Register frame type=0x20 (WLAN_FC_STYPE_REASSOC_REQ) nl_handle=0x825370 match=
nl80211: Register frame type=0xa0 (WLAN_FC_STYPE_DISASSOC) nl_handle=0x825370 match=
nl80211: Register frame type=0xc0 (WLAN_FC_STYPE_DEAUTH) nl_handle=0x825370 match=
nl80211: Register frame type=0x40 (WLAN_FC_STYPE_PROBE_REQ) nl_handle=0x825370 match=
nl80211: Register frame type=0xd0 (WLAN_FC_STYPE_ACTION) nl_handle=0x825370 match=04
nl80211: Register frame command failed (type=208): ret=-114 (Operation already in progress)
nl80211: Register frame match - hexdump(len=1): 04
nl80211: Register frame type=0xd0 (WLAN_FC_STYPE_ACTION) nl_handle=0x825370 match=0501
nl80211: Register frame type=0xd0 (WLAN_FC_STYPE_ACTION) nl_handle=0x825370 match=0503
nl80211: Register frame type=0xd0 (WLAN_FC_STYPE_ACTION) nl_handle=0x825370 match=0504
nl80211: Register frame type=0xd0 (WLAN_FC_STYPE_ACTION) nl_handle=0x825370 match=06
nl80211: Register frame command failed (type=208): ret=-114 (Operation already in progress)
nl80211: Register frame match - hexdump(len=1): 06
nl80211: Register frame type=0xd0 (WLAN_FC_STYPE_ACTION) nl_handle=0x825370 match=08
nl80211: Register frame command failed (type=208): ret=-114 (Operation already in progress)
nl80211: Register frame match - hexdump(len=1): 08
nl80211: Register frame type=0xd0 (WLAN_FC_STYPE_ACTION) nl_handle=0x825370 match=09
nl80211: Register frame command failed (type=208): ret=-114 (Operation already in progress)
nl80211: Register frame match - hexdump(len=1): 09
nl80211: Register frame type=0xd0 (WLAN_FC_STYPE_ACTION) nl_handle=0x825370 match=0a
nl80211: Register frame command failed (type=208): ret=-114 (Operation already in progress)
nl80211: Register frame match - hexdump(len=1): 0a
nl80211: Register frame type=0xd0 (WLAN_FC_STYPE_ACTION) nl_handle=0x825370 match=11
nl80211: Register frame command failed (type=208): ret=-114 (Operation already in progress)
nl80211: Register frame match - hexdump(len=1): 11
nl80211: Register frame type=0xd0 (WLAN_FC_STYPE_ACTION) nl_handle=0x825370 match=7f
nl80211: Register frame command failed (type=208): ret=-114 (Operation already in progress)
nl80211: Register frame match - hexdump(len=1): 7f
nl80211: Could not configure driver mode
nl80211: deinit ifname=wlan0 disabled_11b_rates=0
nl80211: Remove monitor interface: refcount=0
nl80211: Remove beacon (ifindex=3)
netlink: Operstate: ifindex=3 linkmode=0 (kernel-control), operstate=6 (IF_OPER_UP)
nl80211: Set mode ifindex 3 iftype 2 (STATION)
nl80211: Teardown AP(wlan0) - device_ap_sme=0 use_monitor=0
nl80211 driver initialization failed.
hostapd_interface_deinit_free(0x824950)
hostapd_interface_deinit_free: num_bss=1 conf->num_bss=1
hostapd_interface_deinit(0x824950)
wlan0: interface state UNINITIALIZED->DISABLED
hostapd_bss_deinit: deinit bss wlan0
wlan0: AP-DISABLED
hostapd_cleanup(hapd=0x825c70 (wlan0))
wlan0: CTRL-EVENT-TERMINATING
hostapd_free_hapd_data: Interface wlan0 wasn't started
hostapd_interface_deinit_free: driver=(nil) drv_priv=(nil) -> hapd_deinit
hostapd_interface_free(0x824950)
hostapd_interface_free: free hapd 0x825c70
hostapd_cleanup_iface(0x824950)
hostapd_cleanup_iface_partial(0x824950)
hostapd_cleanup_iface: free iface=0x824950

The error reason is supposed to relate to nl80211 driver from the above messages. but how could I figure it out, any help will be appreciation.

[messaouddhia]

I legit spent three days looking for a fix but i can't. Please someone help.

[vanhoefm]

Close all other processes that are using your Wi-Fi network card. Disable Wi-Fi in your network manager.