RTL8821CE 802.11ac PCIe Wireless Network Adapter

[johnmc98683]

I have installed the 5.2.5.2.1 and the 5.5.2.1 version of the RTL8821ce-dkms for 5.3* kernels, 5.4* kernels, and 5.5* kernels. Only the 5.3* kernels recognize and use the drivers. No wifi capability with the 5.4 and 5.5 lines of the kernel. I've tried several other suggestions from as far back as 2017, and no luck. I wouldn't mind using the 5.3.0-40 or the 5.3.18 kernels, but support for them disappears soon. Is RealTek or anyone else working on an update to the driver?

[kelebek333]

I have installed the 5.2.5.2.1 and the 5.5.2.1 version of the RTL8821ce-dkms for 5.3* kernels, 5.4* kernels, and 5.5* kernels. Only the 5.3* kernels recognize and use the drivers. No wifi capability with the 5.4 and 5.5 lines of the kernel. I've tried several other suggestions from as far back as 2017, and no luck. I wouldn't mind using the 5.3.0-40 or the 5.3.18 kernels, but support for them disappears soon. Is RealTek or anyone else working on an update to the driver?

rtl8821ce-dkms driver currently supports up to 5.6.x of the kernel. However, there is a issue with gcc-7 for newer version of kernels. This issue will be resolved with the 7.5 update of gcc-7. 7.5 version of gcc-7 is currently in the proposed test repository. it's not just related rtl8122ce, it affects many modules installed with dkms.

In fact, this issue can be solved by compiling the rtl8188ce driver with gcc8. But this is not necessary for now, because this will result in the installation of additional packages to the system.

If you have a special reason to use the versions of mainline kernel, I can prepare another package that can be installed with gcc-8.

[johnmc98683]

Thanks for the quick reply.
I'm not a newbie by any means, but I'm also not up to snuff on compiling the drivers. I've compiled other things, but don't feel competent about this. Can you refer me to some info?
I like to stay fairly up-to-date with the kernels, so I don't miss the latest and greatest tidbits. The current driver works only up to kernel 5.3.18 on a new laptop with no ethernet port. I bought an ethernet dongle for use at home, but don't want to rely on that, especially since my plan is to use the laptop where there are no ethernet drops.
J

[kelebek333]

If the rtl8821ce-dkms package is installed, run the following command on the terminal for installing gcc-8.

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sudo apt install gcc-8

Then, open rtl8821ce-dkms package's Makefile file with following command.

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sudo xed /usr/src/rtl8821ce-5.5.2.1~ppa/Makefile

Add following line to top of opened file, then save it.

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CC = gcc-8

Finally run following command for compaling driver module.

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sudo dkms install rtl8821ce/5.5.2.1~ppa

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If you can establish internet connection, remove the rtl8821ce-dkms package with following command.

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sudo apt purge rtl8821ce-dkms

Then install rtl8821ce-gcc8-dkms package. This package auto installs gcc-8 and include Makefile fix.

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sudo apt purge rtl8821ce-gcc8-dkms

[johnmc98683]

Eureka! You've nailed it. I appreciate the help. I can't mark the thread as solved, but if I could, I would.

John

[kelebek333]

I appreciate the help.

You're welcome.

[marpan5]

the ez way to install it is to go to the software manager do a wifi search and there it is rtl8821ce-dkms