rtl8188ee constantly dropping connections

[Evan Langlois]

Not sure how long this has been happening since I recently switched out routers to a dd-wrt and it likes to restart the connection whenever you make a change. It could have been happening before that since I switched out the other router because it was acting weird (not related I don't think, but wasn't dropping connection ... but it had 4 amplified aerials). New router has internal, but my phone is right next to me and its connection is worse (SNR wise) but stable. Laptop is NOT stable.

Seems to be similar to Bug #1349108, but that one was a different driver. And I don't want to post the entire log since I've got the dd-wrt, the cisco, cron jobs, and all kinds of stuff going to my syslog, and I checked .. the mrtg run doesn't always preceed the "lost" message, but it was fairly common that it does. The same messages repeat forever (weekly log rotations show from 69 to over 250 occurances per log file). Let me know what other info I can give. This was stable some weeks ago, but I can't tell you what I changed or when.

$ uname -a
Linux Taro 3.13.0-37-lowlatency #64-Ubuntu SMP PREEMPT Mon Sep 22 21:56:22 UTC 2014 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

$ dpkg-query -W linux-firmware
linux-firmware 1.127.7

$ lsmod | grep rtl
rtl8188ee 89677 0
rtl_pci 26690 1 rtl8188ee
rtlwifi 63475 2 rtl_pci,rtl8188ee
mac80211 638933 3 rtl_pci,rtlwifi,rtl8188ee
cfg80211 496328 2 mac80211,rtlwifi

 *** Snippet of /var/log/messages showing problem ... ***
Oct 8 01:25:01 Taro CRON[21545]: (root) CMD (if [ -x /usr/bin/mrtg ] && [ -r /etc/mrtg.cfg ] && [ -d "$(grep '^[[:space:]]*[^#]*[[:spac
e:]]*WorkDir' /etc/mrtg.cfg | awk '{ print $NF }')" ]; then mkdir -p /var/log/mrtg ; env LANG=C /usr/bin/mrtg /etc/mrtg.cfg 2>&1 | tee -
a /var/log/mrtg/mrtg.log ; fi | /usr/bin/logger -t mrtg)
Oct 8 01:25:25 Taro kernel: [ 1811.437893] wlan0: Connection to AP 96:44:52:76:56:a2 lost
Oct 8 01:23:59 Taro wpa_supplicant[1256]: message repeated 2 times: [ wlan0: CTRL-EVENT-SCAN-STARTED ]
Oct 8 01:25:25 Taro wpa_supplicant[1256]: wlan0: CTRL-EVENT-DISCONNECTED bssid=96:44:52:76:56:a2 reason=4 locally_generated=1
Oct 8 01:25:25 Taro NetworkManager[1094]: <warn> Connection disconnected (reason -4)
Oct 8 01:25:25 Taro kernel: [ 1811.495191] cfg80211: Calling CRDA to update world regulatory domain
Oct 8 01:25:25 Taro NetworkManager[1094]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: completed -> disconnected
Oct 8 01:25:25 Taro kernel: [ 1811.502751] cfg80211: World regulatory domain updated:
Oct 8 01:25:25 Taro kernel: [ 1811.502759] cfg80211: (start_freq - end_freq @ bandwidth), (max_antenna_gain, max_eirp)
Oct 8 01:25:25 Taro kernel: [ 1811.502765] cfg80211: (2402000 KHz - 2472000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (300 mBi, 2000 mBm)
Oct 8 01:25:25 Taro kernel: [ 1811.502770] cfg80211: (2457000 KHz - 2482000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (300 mBi, 2000 mBm)
Oct 8 01:25:25 Taro kernel: [ 1811.502775] cfg80211: (2474000 KHz - 2494000 KHz @ 20000 KHz), (300 mBi, 2000 mBm)
Oct 8 01:25:25 Taro kernel: [ 1811.502779] cfg80211: (5170000 KHz - 5250000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (300 mBi, 2000 mBm)
Oct 8 01:25:25 Taro kernel: [ 1811.502784] cfg80211: (5735000 KHz - 5835000 KHz @ 40000 KHz), (300 mBi, 2000 mBm)
Oct 8 01:25:26 Taro wpa_supplicant[1256]: wlan0: CTRL-EVENT-SCAN-STARTED
Oct 8 01:25:26 Taro NetworkManager[1094]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: disconnected -> scanning
Oct 8 01:25:27 Taro wpa_supplicant[1256]: wlan0: SME: Trying to authenticate with 96:44:52:76:56:a2 (SSID='Stray Scamp's Back Door' freq=2437 MHz)
Oct 8 01:25:27 Taro kernel: [ 1812.883224] wlan0: authenticate with 96:44:52:76:56:a2
Oct 8 01:25:27 Taro kernel: [ 1812.902737] wlan0: send auth to 96:44:52:76:56:a2 (try 1/3)
Oct 8 01:25:27 Taro NetworkManager[1094]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: scanning -> authenticating
Oct 8 01:25:27 Taro wpa_supplicant[1256]: wlan0: Trying to associate with 96:44:52:76:56:a2 (SSID='Stray Scamp's Back Door' freq=2437 MHz)
Oct 8 01:25:27 Taro kernel: [ 1812.904311] wlan0: authenticated
Oct 8 01:25:27 Taro kernel: [ 1812.905136] wlan0: associate with 96:44:52:76:56:a2 (try 1/3)
Oct 8 01:25:27 Taro kernel: [ 1812.908472] wlan0: RX AssocResp from 96:44:52:76:56:a2 (capab=0x411 status=0 aid=3)
Oct 8 01:25:27 Taro kernel: [ 1812.908619] wlan0: associated
Oct 8 01:25:27 Taro wpa_supplicant[1256]: wlan0: Associated with 96:44:52:76:56:a2
Oct 8 01:25:27 Taro NetworkManager[1094]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: authenticating -> associated
Oct 8 01:25:27 Taro NetworkManager[1094]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: associated -> 4-way handshake
Oct 8 01:25:27 Taro wpa_supplicant[1256]: wlan0: WPA: Key negotiation completed with 96:44:52:76:56:a2 [PTK=CCMP GTK=CCMP]
Oct 8 01:25:27 Taro wpa_supplicant[1256]: wlan0: CTRL-EVENT-CONNECTED - Connection to 96:44:52:76:56:a2 completed [id=0 id_str=]
Oct 8 01:25:27 Taro NetworkManager[1094]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: 4-way handshake -> completed
Oct 8 01:25:59 Taro wpa_supplicant[1256]: wlan0: CTRL-EVENT-SCAN-STARTED
Oct 8 01:30:01 Taro CRON[25255]: (root) CMD (if [ -x /usr/bin/mrtg ] && [ -r /etc/mrtg.cfg ] && [ -d "$(grep '^[[:space:]]*[^#]*[[:space:]]*WorkDir' /etc/mrtg.cfg | awk '{ print $NF }')" ]; then mkdir -p /var/log/mrtg ; env LANG=C /usr/bin/mrtg /etc/mrtg.cfg 2>&1 | tee -a /var/log/mrtg/mrtg.log ; fi | /usr/bin/logger -t mrtg)
Oct 8 01:34:39 Taro kernel: [ 2364.916674] wlan0: Connection to AP 96:44:52:76:56:a2 lost
Oct 8 01:33:59 Taro wpa_supplicant[1256]: message repeated 5 times: [ wlan0: CTRL-EVENT-SCAN-STARTED ]
Oct 8 01:34:39 Taro wpa_supplicant[1256]: wlan0: CTRL-EVENT-DISCONNECTED bssid=96:44:52:76:56:a2 reason=4 locally_generated=1
Oct 8 01:34:39 Taro NetworkManager[1094]: <warn> Connection disconnected (reason -4)
Oct 8 01:34:39 Taro kernel: [ 2364.967665] cfg80211: Calling CRDA to update world regulatory domain
Oct 8 01:34:39 Taro NetworkManager[1094]: <info> (wlan0): supplicant interface state: completed -> disconnected
---
ApportVersion: 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.5
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC2: ekl 2139 F.... pulseaudio
 /dev/snd/controlC1: ekl 2139 F.... pulseaudio
                      ekl 2493 F.... cairo-dock
 /dev/snd/controlC0: ekl 2139 F.... pulseaudio
CurrentDesktop: Pantheon
DistroRelease: elementary OS 0.3
HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=e143e6c6-db49-4d28-892d-adee62985600
InstallationDate: Installed on 2014-09-07 (31 days ago)
InstallationMedia: elementary OS 0.3 "Freya" - Daily amd64 (20140810)
MachineType: Hewlett-Packard HP Pavilion TS 15 Notebook PC
NonfreeKernelModules: fglrx
Package: linux (not installed)
ProcFB:

ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.13.0-37-lowlatency root=UUID=7f117018-5bf9-4294-b268-a84176c057cc ro quiet splash
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.13.0-37.64-lowlatency 3.13.11.7
RelatedPackageVersions:
 linux-restricted-modules-3.13.0-37-lowlatency N/A
 linux-backports-modules-3.13.0-37-lowlatency N/A
 linux-firmware 1.127.7
RfKill:
 0: phy0: Wireless LAN
  Soft blocked: no
  Hard blocked: no
Tags: freya
Uname: Linux 3.13.0-37-lowlatency x86_64
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
UserGroups: adm audio cdrom dialout dip disk games lpadmin mail plugdev sambashare sudo users video voice
_MarkForUpload: True
dmi.bios.date: 11/21/2013
dmi.bios.vendor: Insyde
dmi.bios.version: F.13
dmi.board.asset.tag: Base Board Asset Tag
dmi.board.name: 216B
dmi.board.vendor: Hewlett-Packard
dmi.board.version: 30.23
dmi.chassis.type: 10
dmi.chassis.vendor: Hewlett-Packard
dmi.chassis.version: Chassis Version
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnInsyde:bvrF.13:bd11/21/2013:svnHewlett-Packard:pnHPPavilionTS15NotebookPC:pvr0974110002405E00000620180:rvnHewlett-Packard:rn216B:rvr30.23:cvnHewlett-Packard:ct10:cvrChassisVersion:
dmi.product.name: HP Pavilion TS 15 Notebook PC
dmi.product.version: 0974110002405E00000620180
dmi.sys.vendor: Hewlett-Packard

[Brad Figg (brad-figg)]

This bug is missing log files that will aid in diagnosing the problem. From a terminal window please run:

apport-collect 1379087

and then change the status of the bug to 'Confirmed'.

If, due to the nature of the issue you have encountered, you are unable to run this command, please add a comment stating that fact and change the bug status to 'Confirmed'.

This change has been made by an automated script, maintained by the Ubuntu Kernel Team.

[Evan Langlois (uudruid74)]

apport information

[Evan Langlois (uudruid74)]

apport information

[Evan Langlois (uudruid74)]

apport information

[Evan Langlois (uudruid74)]

apport information

[Evan Langlois (uudruid74)]

apport information

[Evan Langlois (uudruid74)]

apport information

[Evan Langlois (uudruid74)]

apport information

[Evan Langlois (uudruid74)]

apport information

[Evan Langlois (uudruid74)]

apport information

[Evan Langlois (uudruid74)]

apport information

[Evan Langlois (uudruid74)]

apport information

[Evan Langlois (uudruid74)]

apport information

[Evan Langlois (uudruid74)]

apport information

[Evan Langlois (uudruid74)]

apport information

[Evan Langlois (uudruid74)]

apport information

[Joseph Salisbury (jsalisbury)]

Would it be possible for you to test the latest upstream kernel? Refer to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelMainlineBuilds . Please test the latest v3.17 kernel[0].

If this bug is fixed in the mainline kernel, please add the following tag 'kernel-fixed-upstream'.

If the mainline kernel does not fix this bug, please add the tag: 'kernel-bug-exists-upstream'.

If you are unable to test the mainline kernel, for example it will not boot, please add the tag: 'kernel-unable-to-test-upstream'.
Once testing of the upstream kernel is complete, please mark this bug as "Confirmed".

Thanks in advance.

[0] http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v3.17-utopic/

[Evan Langlois (uudruid74)]

Wow, installing 3.17 was a mess. X is black because fglrx wouldn't install an updated module and Xorg is won't fall-back to the open-source driver. So, I tried to reinstall fglrx, which didn't fix it, but broke it for my 3.13 kernel! Luckily I have an alternative install (Sabayon with kernel 3.16, and it seems to have the same issue).

I don't have time to fix fglrx right now, so I'm going to boot it to 3.17 and let it stay black. I'm leaving for a few hours. I'll check the logs when I get back and see what its like. *sigh* Thats how it always goes - try to fix one thing and break 20 others.

[Evan Langlois (uudruid74)]

OK, after leaving the system running for a few hours running 3.17, I'm showing 5 spurious disconnects in the same number of hours with the same information in the logs as above. And I don't know if it helps, but I found someone else is having the same problem with a very similar notebook, so it may be something particular to this model? I can't understand the details or if there was a solution since it's in German. But if it helps, it's http://forum.ubuntuusers.de/topic/rtl8188ee-wlan-unkonstant-unverlaesslich/

[John (supertonesfan)]

I can confirm major issues with RTL8188EE on elementary os freya beta.

I am on a new HP Pavilion with this card, it works perfectly in windows but on elementary the perfomance is sketchy at best and often fails to connect or work at all.

I have tried installing driver directly from Realtek, as well as the one here: https://github.com/lwfinger/rtlwifi_new
Both with no noticeable improvement.

I am too scared to try kernel update, would appreciate an update if anyone has found a good fix.

[Brandon Giesing (brandongiesing)]

Not that we should do this... But it looks like it works with v4.1-rc8-unstable! http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.1-rc8-unstable/

[Evan Langlois (uudruid74)]

Hmmm... switched to EoP and gave up on Wifi. I also gave up on
Elementary... just wanted plain Gnome and a distro that couldn't do that
seems backwards and I was tired of bugs.... now I have all new bugs!

I will try to give the Wifi a test. I didn't see anything about realtek
in the changelog, but I'm running 4.0. Do you need a 4.0 test or just 4.1?

On Thu, Jun 18, 2015, 12:45 PM Brandon Giesing <email address hidden>
wrote:

> Not that we should do this... But it looks like it works with
> v4.1-rc8-unstable! http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-
> ppa/mainline/v4.1-rc8-unstable/
> <http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.1-rc8-unstable/>
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to the bug
> report.
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1379087
>
> Title:
> rtl8188ee constantly dropping connections
>
> Status in elementary OS:
> New
>
> Bug description:
> Not sure how long this has been happening since I recently switched
> out routers to a dd-wrt and it likes to restart the connection
> whenever you make a change. It could have been happening before that
> since I switched out the other router because it was acting weird (not
> related I don't think, but wasn't dropping connection ... but it had 4
> amplified aerials). New router has internal, but my phone is right
> next to me and its connection is worse (SNR wise) but stable. Laptop
> is NOT stable.
>
> Seems to be similar to Bug #1349108, but that one was a different
> driver. And I don't want to post the entire log since I've got the
> dd-wrt, the cisco, cron jobs, and all kinds of stuff going to my
> syslog, and I checked .. the mrtg run doesn't always preceed the
> "lost" message, but it was fairly common that it does. The same
> messages repeat forever (weekly log rotations show from 69 to over 250
> occurances per log file). Let me know what other info I can give.
> This was stable some weeks ago, but I can't tell you what I changed or
> when.
>
> $ uname -a
> Linux Taro 3.13.0-37-lowlatency #64-Ubuntu SMP PREEMPT Mon Sep 22
> 21:56:22 UTC 2014 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
>
> $ dpkg-query -W linux-firmware
> linux-firmware 1.127.7
>
> $ lsmod | grep rtl
> rtl8188ee 89677 0
> rtl_pci 26690 1 rtl8188ee
> rtlwifi 63475 2 rtl_pci,rtl8188ee
> mac80211 638933 3 rtl_pci,rtlwifi,rtl8188ee
> cfg80211 496328 2 mac80211,rtlwifi
>
> *** Snippet of /var/log/messages showing problem ... ***
> Oct 8 01:25:01 Taro CRON[21545]: (root) CMD (if [ -x /usr/bin/mrtg ] &&
> [ -r /etc/mrtg.cfg ] && [ -d "$(grep '^[[:space:]]*[^#]*[[:spac
> e:]]*WorkDir' /etc/mrtg.cfg | awk '{ print $NF }')" ]; then mkdir -p
> /var/log/mrtg ; env LANG=C /usr/bin/mrtg /etc/mrtg.cfg 2>&1 | tee -
> a /var/log/mrtg/mrtg.log ; fi | /usr/bin/logger -t mrtg)
> Oct 8 01:25:25 Taro kernel: [ 1811.437893] wlan0: Connection to AP
> 96:44:52:76:56:a2 lost
> Oct 8 01:23:59 Taro wpa_supplicant[1256]: message repeated 2 times: [
> wlan0: CTRL-EVENT-SCAN-STARTED ]
> Oct 8 01:25:25 Taro wpa_supplicant[1256]: wlan0:
> CTRL-EVENT-DISCONNECTED ...

[Efkan (efkan-turen)]

I encounter this issue on Loki. I couldn't work properly on my laptop because of this issue for weeks!

Unfortunately there is no any solution which works on Elementary OS.

Even the most famous solution for Realtek wireless card cannot help with this.

lwfinger has tried to understand my issue. He'd written somethings about Elementary network manager:

"
I am not going to install Elementary, but I downloaded it and ran it live. When I unloaded and reloaded the driver, the network management system did nothing. That is an exceedingly fragile bit of user space code. It reminded me of most distros 5 or 10 years ago. I am afraid there is nothing I can do for uou. Try some other distro!
"

https://github.com/lwfinger/rtlwifi_new/issues/184#issuecomment-269092835