No WiFi after 5.11.0-25-generic update

[MikeR]

After updating to kernel 5.11.0-25-generic wireless driver failed to recognize WiFi card.
c.f. bug #1938983 for more details ( mistakenly entered under initramfs-tools package )

$ lsb_release -a
LSB Version: core-11.1.0ubuntu2-noarch:security-11.1.0ubuntu2-noarch
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description: July2021
Release: 20.04
Codename: focal

$ inxi -S
System:
  Host: alpha Kernel: 5.11.0-25-generic x86_64 bits: 64
  Desktop: Gnome 3.36.9 Distro: Ubuntu 20.04.2 LTS (Focal Fossa)

Workaround: connected Ethernet. (Inconvenient)

when I plug in my USB rtl8188 wifi device
1. No WiFi connection
2. various (e.g. firefox, wavemon) do not start, terminal locks and the only recourse is a reboot.

Searching Google came across this:
https://askubuntu.com/questions/1306358/how-do-stop-ubuntu-20-04-from-upgrading-to-the-5-8-hwe-kernel

<quote>
This latest 5.8 update has caused a lot of issues for a lot of people. The most critical being breaking:

    Graphics Drivers
    Virtualbox no longer working. You can fix this by downloading straight from virtualbox.org but then that breaks Python.
    WIFI Stops working
</quote>

not something that should happen to a LTS version!!

[MikeR (mike-rechtman)]

updated driver rtl8188fu driver in DKMS format to version 4.3.23.6-focal2
noted as: Fix wireless regulatory API misuse
Problem seems solved

CLOSE REPORT AS SOLVED

[MikeR (mike-rechtman)]

Steps to solution:

1. Plug in USB Wifi device
2. lsusb
3. check for line similar to:
Bus 001 Device 057: ID 0bda:f179 Realtek Semiconductor Corp
4. using your favorite search engine, look for: "0bda:f179" (or whatever ID you see in the above line.
Hopefully this will point you to a downloadable / installable driver (worked for me)