No connection to WIFI anymore, can't connect LAN either

[Nociralb]

Dear all,

Have had laptop on Linux Mint for about 6 months. Always connected to internet via Wifi. Often needed to restart computer on start-up several times, because often would not connect to wifi.

Was advised to use:

sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager.service

Instead of restarting entire computer. That never seemed to make any difference / do anything. So: restart computer as often as needed untill it connected.
(Sitting 50 cm's away from the wifi-transmitter, excellent strong signal on phone and all other devices.)

Now it just doesn't connect at all anymore. Tried to switch to using a wired connection LAN, but I can't get that to work either.

I am posting this from another computer, don't know how to easily copy the entire output for
inxi -Fxxxrz
in this post.

Kernel:5.4.0-86 generic x86_64
Desktop: Cinnamon 4.8.6
Distro: Linux Mint 20.1 Ulyssa base Ubuntu 20.04 focal

It does list after "Network: " that there are two Devices, a Realtek RTL8111/8186/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet and a Intel Wifi 6 AX200 thing. Both with "state: down" which does not sound good to me.

I'll be happy to manually copy any further inxi information needed to advise.

Thanks for any help / tips !

Pieter

[it-place]

Hi Pieter,

after upgrading to Linux Mint 20.x I also had connection problems on my laptop with Wi-Fi. In my case this was the solution:

Linux Mint used WPA3 Personal for WiFi-Security by default. Because my WLAN router is also able to use WPA3 everything looks good at the first time. But I had connection problems like you talked about. After setting the network settings to WPA & WPA2 Personal the connection problems were gone.

Hope that helps.
Regards - Olli

[sleeper12]

Maybe you can connect with your cell phone: https://easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.c ... ernet.html

If so, post the results of:

Code: Select all

 inxi -Fxxxrz && rfkill list && iwconfig && mokutil --sb-state 

[Nociralb]

Thanks Olli, in my case the setting for WPA is already or still WPA & WPA2.

Thank you sleeper12: I'll try that cell phone connection option tomorrow and post the inxi result if and when that succeeds,

Thanks both for help already,
Grtingds, Pieter

[Nociralb]

Hi Sleeper12,

The USB-tethering switch grayed out on my phone, saying "no USB device is connected".
I did manage to copy your inxi result into a text-file, copy that to a usb-stick and here it is, I hope it still makes sense:

System:
Kernel: 5.4.0-86-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 9.3.0
Desktop: Cinnamon 4.8.6 wm: muffin 4.8.1 dm: LightDM 1.30.0
Distro: Linux Mint 20.1 Ulyssa base: Ubuntu 20.04 focal

Machine:
Type: Laptop System: Notebook product: NL4x_NL5xLU v: N/A serial: <filter>
Chassis: No Enclosure type: 10 serial: <filter>
Mobo: Notebook model: NL4x_NL5xLU serial: <filter> UEFI: INSYDE
v: 1.07.04LWL date: 09/25/2020

Battery:
ID-1: BAT0 charge: 19.7 Wh condition: 34.5/36.2 Wh (95%) volts: 10.9/11.4
model: Notebook BAT type: Li-ion serial: <filter> status: Discharging

CPU:
Topology: Quad Core model: Intel Core i5-1035G1 bits: 64 type: MT MCP

arch: Ice Lake rev: 5 L2 cache: 6144 KiB
flags: avx avx2 lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx
bogomips: 19046
Speed: 1257 MHz min/max: 400/3600 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 1201 2: 1201
3: 1200 4: 1200 5: 1200 6: 1202 7: 1201 8: 1202

Graphics:

Device-1: Intel vendor: CLEVO/KAPOK driver: i915 v: kernel bus ID: 00:02.0
chip ID: 8086:8a56
Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.11 driver: modesetting
unloaded: fbdev,vesa resolution: 1920x1080~60Hz
OpenGL: renderer: Mesa Intel UHD Graphics (ICL GT1) v: 4.6 Mesa 21.0.3
direct render: Yes

Audio:

Device-1: Intel Smart Sound Audio vendor: CLEVO/KAPOK
driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus ID: 00:1f.3 chip ID: 8086:34c8
Sound Server: ALSA v: k5.4.0-86-generic

Network:
Device-1: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet
vendor: CLEVO/KAPOK driver: r8169 v: kernel port: 3000 bus ID: 01:00.1
chip ID: 10ec:8168
IF: enp1s0f1 state: down mac: <filter>

Device-2: Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 driver: iwlwifi v: kernel port: 3000
bus ID: 02:00.0 chip ID: 8086:2723

Drives:
Local Storage: total: 465.76 GiB used: 41.53 GiB (8.9%)
ID-1: /dev/nvme0n1 vendor: Samsung model: SSD 970 EVO 500GB
size: 465.76 GiB speed: 31.6 Gb/s lanes: 4 serial: <filter> rev: 2B2QEXE7
scheme: GPT

Partition:
ID-1: / size: 456.96 GiB used: 41.53 GiB (9.1%) fs: ext4
dev: /dev/nvme0n1p2

Sensors:
System Temperatures: cpu: 37.0 C mobo: N/A
Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A

Repos:

No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list

Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-package-repositories.list
1: deb http://packages.linuxmint.com ulyssa main upstream import backport #id:linuxmint_main
2: deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal main restricted universe multiverse
3: deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates main restricted universe multiverse
4: deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-backports main restricted universe multiverse
5: deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-security main restricted universe multiverse
6: deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/ focal partner
Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/skype-stable.list
1: deb [arch=amd64] https://repo.skype.com/deb stable main
Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/spotify.list
1: deb http://repository.spotify.com stable non-free
Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/teamviewer.list
1: deb https://linux.teamviewer.com/deb stable main


Info:

Processes: 253 Uptime: 13m Memory: 15.31 GiB used: 1.01 GiB (6.6%)
Init: systemd v: 245 runlevel: 5 Compilers: gcc: 9.3.0 alt: 9 Shell: bash
v: 5.0.17 running in: gnome-terminal inxi: 3.0.38
0: hci0: Bluetooth
Soft blocked: no
Hard blocked: no

SecureBoot disabled

Platform is in Setup Mode

[sleeper12]

Do you dual boot with Windows on that machine?

[Nociralb]

No, there is no Windows on the machine. (I am now using a different computer for this Forum)

[sleeper12]

What does this show:

Code: Select all

 lspci -nnk | grep -iA3 && iwconfig 

I'm also thinking you might be better off with the 5.11 kernel, but you need an internet connection for that. You could test ethernet/wifi in a live session of Mint Edge that already has the 5.11 kernel: https://linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=291

[vrdgoo]

If anything else fails, why don't you try a very cheap and safe solution like to buy a wi fi usb adapter

[Nociralb]

What does this show:

Code: Select all

 lspci -nnk | grep -iA3 && iwconfig 

That shows this:

Usage: grep [OPTION] ...PATTERNS [FILE]...
Try 'grep --help' for more information



I'm also thinking you might be better off with the 5.11 kernel, but you need an internet connection for that. You could test ethernet/wifi in a live session of Mint Edge that already has the 5.11 kernel: https://linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=291

I'll try that hopefully tomorrow.
Thanks, Pieter

[Nociralb]

If anything else fails, why don't you try a very cheap and safe solution like to buy a wi fi usb adapter

Does that mean you think the wifi-device inside the laptop is broken? I could go back to the place where I bought it, it's not that old.
If the inxi info tells you the device is broken, would appreciate you let me know.

And thanks !
P

[sleeper12]

Sorry, wrong command. Let's see:

Code: Select all

 lspci -nnk | grep -iA3 net && iwconfig 

[vrdgoo]

If anything else fails, why don't you try a very cheap and safe solution like to buy a wi fi usb adapter

Does that mean you think the wifi-device inside the laptop is broken? I could go back to the place where I bought it, it's not that old.
If the inxi info tells you the device is broken, would appreciate you let me know.

And thanks !
P

It's not necessary the device to be broken but generally externals wi fi usb adapters work better than the defaults. Recently I bought a new desktop and moved the old one to another room. So the only solution was a usb wi fi adapter. It worked fine

[Nociralb]

Sorry, wrong command. Let's see:

Code: Select all

 lspci -nnk | grep -iA3 net && iwconfig 

Thanks, this is then the output:

pieter@linux-laptop:~$ lspci -nnk | grep -iA3 net && iwconfig
01:00.1 Ethernet controller [0200]: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Controller [10ec:8168] (rev 12)
Subsystem: CLEVO/KAPOK Computer RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Controller [1558:40d1]
Kernel driver in use: r8169
Kernel modules: r8169
02:00.0 Network controller [0280]: Intel Corporation Wi-Fi 6 AX200 [8086:2723] (rev 1a)
Subsystem: Intel Corporation Wi-Fi 6 AX200 [8086:0084]
Kernel driver in use: iwlwifi
Kernel modules: iwlwifi
enp1s0f1 no wireless extensions.

wlp2s0 IEEE 802.11 ESSID:"FRITZ!Box 5490 UZ"
Mode:Managed Frequency:5.18 GHz Access Point: F0:B0:14:E0:DB:8E
Bit Rate=6 Mb/s Tx-Power=20 dBm
Retry short limit:7 RTS thr:off Fragment thr:off
Power Management:on
Link Quality=60/70 Signal level=-50 dBm
Rx invalid nwid:0 Rx invalid crypt:0 Rx invalid frag:0
Tx excessive retries:0 Invalid misc:798 Missed beacon:0

lo no wireless extensions.

[sleeper12]

Turn power management off:

Code: Select all

 sudo sed -i 's/3/2/' /etc/NetworkManager/conf.d/default-wifi-powersave-on.conf 

Reboot

[Red-White-Canuck]

Regarding your lack of wifi connection, I have had success with the following modification to the dhclient.conf file.

I am not a wifi expert so this may not be your solution. I also would get poor wifi connectivity and have to reboot to regain connection until after I made the changes as follows:

navigate as root to /etc/dhcp and edit the file dhclient.conf file for two entries:

timeout 160; ( remove the # at beginning of line and modify value to 160)
retry .3; ( remove the # at beginning of line and modify value to .3)

Keep notes of the original values in case you need to change them back.

These dhcp settings are working well for me with Mint 20.2 Cinnamon and the new MX-21 XFCE.

Good luck!

[Nociralb]

Turn power management off:

Code: Select all

 sudo sed -i 's/3/2/' /etc/NetworkManager/conf.d/default-wifi-powersave-on.conf 

Reboot

Done, nothing seems to change. In the system tray, bottom right icon two grayed out arrows in opposite direction with a white x (meaning No connection), if I click it and choose "Network Settings", I get a window named "Network". On left side it shows on top Wifi, and on right side a list of available wifi-connections in the air. The wifi switch is on. If I double click my wifi, it will briefly show "connecting", then quickly to "Status unknown (missing)" and the icon in the system tray show 3 dots across grayed out wifi icon, as if it is trying to connect.

And then nothing further happens...

[sleeper12]

Try reloading the driver:

Code: Select all

 sudo modprobe -r iwlwifi && sudo modprobe iwlwifi && sudo systemctl restart network-manager.service 

If that's no help, I suggest you try the 5.11 kernel. You'll need a temporary connection to do that:
https://easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.c ... ernet.html

[Nociralb]

Try reloading the driver:

Code: Select all

 sudo modprobe -r iwlwifi && sudo modprobe iwlwifi && sudo systemctl restart network-manager.service 

If that's no help, I suggest you try the 5.11 kernel. You'll need a temporary connection to do that:
https://easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.c ... ernet.html

Reloading the driver: maybe it worked sort of, or maybe this was also before reloading the driver: I now noticed that even when the wifi status says "connecting..." there actually already is a wifi connection. I can go to Google for a random search, I can watch a Youtube video and I updated the Mint software. But: not too long, after a few minutes the connection stops. And I never see the normal 'connected' icon in the system tray, only grayed out with 3 dots accross it.

I did succeed with the temp USB tethering via my phone connection. Thanks for that already.

What about the 5.11 kernel idea: do I understand I should download Linux Mint 20.2 "uma" to USB -stick then make it bootable and start up from the stick and see how the wifi looks? (Can I see that before going through the full install?)

tnx, Pieter

[Nociralb]

Try reloading the driver:

Code: Select all

 sudo modprobe -r iwlwifi && sudo modprobe iwlwifi && sudo systemctl restart network-manager.service 

If that's no help, I suggest you try the 5.11 kernel. You'll need a temporary connection to do that:
https://easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.c ... ernet.html

Reloading the driver: maybe it worked sort of, or maybe this was also before reloading the driver: I now noticed that even when the wifi status says "connecting..." there actually already is a wifi connection. I can go to Google for a random search, I can watch a Youtube video and I updated the Mint software. But: not too long, after a few minutes the connection stops. And I never see the normal 'connected' icon in the system tray, only grayed out with 3 dots accross it.

I did succeed with the temp USB tethering via my phone connection. Thanks for that already.

What about the 5.11 kernel idea: do I understand I should download Linux Mint 20.2 "uma" to USB -stick then make it bootable and start up from the stick and see how the wifi looks? (Can I see that before going through the full install?)

tnx, Pieter

Actually, now I can't connect again. Maybe what I wrote above was some sort of residual USB tethering connection, I feel sure I was on internet after I unplugged the USB cable from the phone... This whole wifi issue is really confusing me.