Enabling TP-Link Archer TX50UH V1 - AX3000 - USB Network Adapter

[dropkick]

Hi All,

Can anyone please assist.

I'm trying to enable/activate a TP-Link Archer TX50UH V1 - AX3000 - USB Network Adapter.

The following may be useful background info on the device. Note, it appears to be using a Realtek chipset, but I don't know the specific version number, just that it reports as using 'Realtek 802.11ax WLAN Adapter'. See the following.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
> lsusb
Bus 002 Device 016: ID 35bc:0101 Realtek 802.11ax WLAN Adapter

> inxi -Fxxxrz ; rfkill list ; iwconfig ; mokutil --sb-state
System:
Kernel: 5.15.0-101-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 11.4.0
Desktop: Cinnamon 6.0.4 tk: GTK 3.24.33 wm: muffin vt: 7 dm: LightDM 1.30.0
Distro: Linux Mint 21.3 Virginia base: Ubuntu 22.04 jammy
Network:
Device-3: Realtek 802.11ax WLAN Adapter type: USB driver: N/A
bus-ID: 2-2:16 chip-ID: 35bc:0101 class-ID: 0000 serial: <filter>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I've already tried the suggested procedure for a 'TP link archer tx20uh connecting' which is a different device in the same class of AX wifi devices (see: viewtopic.php?t=402818), but it did not seem to work. Note, this procedure required the '-m' switch added into the last line of the suggested procedure.
> sudo dkms install -m rtl8852au -v 1.15.0.1

Does anyone have some suggestions on how to enable the TX50UH V1 device on USB ?

Thanks,
dropkick

[JeremyB]

If you open the file manager with the wifi device plugged in, does it show a CD ROM?

[dropkick]

Hi JeremyB,

The USB device does not mount as a disk, and the 'Disks' utility does not even see the device, and so File Manager does not see it.

[1] Here's what I've determined so far using Terminal commands with the device plugged into a USB port.

> sudo lshw
*-usb:1 UNCLAIMED
description: Generic USB device
product: 802.11ax WLAN Adapter
vendor: Realtek
physical id: 2
bus info: usb@2:2
version: 0.00
serial: xxxxxxxxxxxx
capabilities: usb-2.00
configuration: maxpower=500mA speed=480Mbit/s

> lsusb
Bus 002 Device 016: ID 35bc:0101 Realtek 802.11ax WLAN Adapter

> inxi -Fxxxrz ; rfkill list ; iwconfig ; mokutil --sb-state
Device-3: Realtek 802.11ax WLAN Adapter type: USB driver: N/A
bus-ID: 2-2:16 chip-ID: 35bc:0101 class-ID: 0000 serial: <filter>

[2] I've also contacted TP-Link tech support, and they've advised the following:

"In regards to this matter the chipset of TX50UH V1 is RTL8832CU. To obtain the Linux driver for RTL8832CU, you can visit the official RTL website or a third-party website. However, please note that we do not provide technical support for any problems encountered to running TX50UH on Linux, as we never advertised the TX50UH supports Linux."

At least TP-Link have advised the TX50UH V1 uses Realtek TRL8832CU. However, it appears that TP-Link have no interest to support their networking hardware on Linux.

[3] If there's anyone with advice on the steps to create the driver installation for the Realtek TRL8832CU for Linux Mint, it is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
dropkick