EclipseSSK wrote: ⤴Mon May 17, 2021 8:38 pm
I read somewhere that the network manager can block wifi connections and to use wicd instead. Is there a way to do that offline using USB?
You can't yet say, with certainty, that NetworkManager is the problem. Your AC53 isn't seen by the OS. There are steps for diagnosing technical issues, but doing so without a direct web connection can be especially tedious and time-consuming. It may be too much to ask of some remote volunteers.
Consider getting a dongle that's known to work without add-on drivers in Mint. Return it for a refund after your AC53 problem is resolved.