0bda:8172 Realtek WiFi works in Live environment but stops after installation

[jimlovell777]

I booted my computer using an Ubuntu 15.10 64-bit Desktop live CD and wifi worked no problem. After installing Ubuntu 15.10 to disk, wireless no longer works. I can see the wireless device using lsusb but it is not an option to use in network-manager, and does not show up in /etc/network/interfaces.

Bus 002 Device 003: ID 0bda:8172 Realtek Semiconductor Corp. RTL8191SU 802.11n WLAN Adapter

My computer does not have an airplane mode button. The wireless card is not disabled that I can tell or from my own actions.

WORKAROUND:
wget http://launchpadlibrarian.net/37387612/rtl8192sfw.bin.gz
gunzip rtl8192sfw.bin.gz
sudo mkdir /lib/firmware/RTL8192SU
sudo mv rtl8192sfw.bin /lib/firmware/RTL8192SU/
sudo depmod -a or reboot
sudo service network-manager restart

After every reboot I have to run "sudo service network-manager restart" for wireless to work.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 15.10
Package: linux-image-4.2.0-17-generic 4.2.0-17.21
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.2.0-17.21-generic 4.2.3
Uname: Linux 4.2.0-17-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.19.1-0ubuntu5
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC1: portal 1106 F.... pulseaudio
 /dev/snd/controlC0: portal 1106 F.... pulseaudio
CurrentDesktop: Unity
Date: Sun Nov 8 23:34:40 2015
HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=72107d2b-667e-4e55-9eab-dfc18a940de3
InstallationDate: Installed on 2015-11-09 (0 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 15.10 "Wily Werewolf" - Release amd64 (20151021)
MachineType: Gateway ZX6961
ProcFB: 0 inteldrmfb
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-4.2.0-17-generic.efi.signed root=UUID=fc9edda2-408b-4a6d-8733-525acc239e95 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
RelatedPackageVersions:
 linux-restricted-modules-4.2.0-17-generic N/A
 linux-backports-modules-4.2.0-17-generic N/A
 linux-firmware 1.149.2
RfKill:
SourcePackage: linux
StagingDrivers: r8712u
UdevLog: Error: [Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/var/log/udev'
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
dmi.bios.date: 07/22/2011
dmi.bios.vendor: American Megatrends Inc.
dmi.bios.version: P01-B3
dmi.board.asset.tag: To be filled by O.E.M.
dmi.board.name: ZX6961
dmi.board.vendor: Gateway
dmi.chassis.type: 13
dmi.chassis.vendor: Gateway
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnAmericanMegatrendsInc.:bvrP01-B3:bd07/22/2011:svnGateway:pnZX6961:pvr:rvnGateway:rnZX6961:rvr:cvnGateway:ct13:cvr:
dmi.product.name: ZX6961
dmi.sys.vendor: Gateway

[jimlovell777 (jimlovell777)]

I got wireless working following a forum post. The steps needed are below but the solution isn't perfect and doesn't explain why wireless works using the Live CD but not after installation.

wget http://launchpadlibrarian.net/37387612/rtl8192sfw.bin.gz
gunzip rtl8192sfw.bin.gz
sudo mkdir /lib/firmware/RTL8192SU
sudo mv rtl8192sfw.bin /lib/firmware/RTL8192SU/
sudo depmod -a or reboot
sudo service network-manager restart

The main problem now is that after every reboot I have to run "sudo service network-manager restart" for wireless to work.

[Ubuntu Foundations Team Bug Bot (crichton)]

Thank you for taking the time to report this bug and helping to make Ubuntu better. It seems that your bug report is not filed about a specific source package though, rather it is just filed against Ubuntu in general. It is important that bug reports be filed about source packages so that people interested in the package can find the bugs about it. You can find some hints about determining what package your bug might be about at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/FindRightPackage. You might also ask for help in the #ubuntu-bugs irc channel on Freenode.

To change the source package that this bug is filed about visit https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/1514316/+editstatus and add the package name in the text box next to the word Package.

[This is an automated message. I apologize if it reached you inappropriately; please just reply to this message indicating so.]

[Brad Figg (brad-figg)]

This change was made by a bot.

[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 v4.3 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'.

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/v4.3-wily/

[jimlovell777 (jimlovell777)]

I downloaded and installed 4.3.0-040300-generic from your link. On the very next boot wireless worked without any action on my part.

I then tried removing the driver from my previous post to see if the new kernel worked like the Live CD by not requiring additional drivers. It did not work. I needed to reinstall the driver to get wireless working again. With kernel 4.3.0 still installed and active when booting, I have to restart network manager each boot for wireless to work.

I'm not sure what to make of that. What tag should I apply?

Actual packages used
linux-image-4.3.0-040300-generic_4.3.0-040300.201511020949_amd64.deb
linux-headers-4.3.0-040300-generic_4.3.0-040300.201511020949_amd64.deb
linux-headers-4.3.0-040300_4.3.0-040300.201511020949_all.deb

[penalvch (penalvch)]

jimlovell777, there would be a firmware dependency to this issue, along with a potential kernel one. Hence, to see if this is already resolved in Ubuntu, could you please test http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/daily-live/current/ and advise to the results?

[jimlovell777 (jimlovell777)]

I just downloaded xenial-desktop-amd64.iso from your link and did a complete fresh install to an unformatted drive. Same issue as reported. Wireless works fine in the live environment. My access point shows up, I can connect to it, browse the web and download updates while installing. After installing, I shutdown, remove the installation media (CD and USB stick attempted) and boot.

Result is no wireless card recognized and I can't connect to anything.

uname -r
    4.2.0.19-generic

lsb_release -rd
    Desciption: Ubuntu Xenial Xerus (developement branch)
    Release: 16.04

[penalvch (penalvch)]

jimlovell777, in a live environment, could you please plug the WiFi USB device in, unplug everything else, execute the following via a terminal and post the results here:
usb-devices

[jimlovell777 (jimlovell777)]

Is the output from usb-devices useful if I cannot remove the other devices?

The computer with this issue is an all-in-one touch PC mounted to my wall. Most of the peripherals are USB based but the connections are in the PC, not external to it. The touch controller, webcam, and wireless card are built in but use USB.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

jimlovell777, that's fine. I wasn't expecting you to remove internal devices that are USB based, just external ones (i.e. keyboard, mouse, etc.).

[jimlovell777 (jimlovell777)]

This is the output of usb-devices with all external USB devices removed that I could except the receiver for my wireless mouse and keyboard.

T: Bus=01 Lev=00 Prnt=00 Port=00 Cnt=00 Dev#= 1 Spd=480 MxCh= 2
D: Ver= 2.00 Cls=09(hub ) Sub=00 Prot=00 MxPS=64 #Cfgs= 1
P: Vendor=1d6b ProdID=0002 Rev=04.02
S: Manufacturer=Linux 4.2.0-19-generic ehci_hcd
S: Product=EHCI Host Controller
S: SerialNumber=0000:00:1a.0
C: #Ifs= 1 Cfg#= 1 Atr=e0 MxPwr=0mA
I: If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 1 Cls=09(hub ) Sub=00 Prot=00 Driver=hub

T: Bus=01 Lev=01 Prnt=01 Port=00 Cnt=01 Dev#= 2 Spd=480 MxCh= 6
D: Ver= 2.00 Cls=09(hub ) Sub=00 Prot=01 MxPS=64 #Cfgs= 1
P: Vendor=8087 ProdID=0024 Rev=00.00
C: #Ifs= 1 Cfg#= 1 Atr=e0 MxPwr=0mA
I: If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 1 Cls=09(hub ) Sub=00 Prot=00 Driver=hub

T: Bus=01 Lev=02 Prnt=02 Port=00 Cnt=01 Dev#= 5 Spd=12 MxCh= 0
D: Ver= 2.00 Cls=00(>ifc ) Sub=00 Prot=00 MxPS= 8 #Cfgs= 1
P: Vendor=046d ProdID=c52b Rev=12.01
S: Manufacturer=Logitech
S: Product=USB Receiver
C: #Ifs= 3 Cfg#= 1 Atr=a0 MxPwr=98mA
I: If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 1 Cls=03(HID ) Sub=01 Prot=01 Driver=usbhid
I: If#= 1 Alt= 0 #EPs= 1 Cls=03(HID ) Sub=01 Prot=02 Driver=usbhid
I: If#= 2 Alt= 0 #EPs= 1 Cls=03(HID ) Sub=00 Prot=00 Driver=usbhid

T: Bus=01 Lev=02 Prnt=02 Port=04 Cnt=02 Dev#= 3 Spd=480 MxCh= 0
D: Ver= 2.00 Cls=ef(misc ) Sub=02 Prot=01 MxPS=64 #Cfgs= 1
P: Vendor=04f2 ProdID=b1f3 Rev=89.54
S: Manufacturer=Chicony Electronics Co., Ltd.
S: Product=CNFA213
S: SerialNumber=SN0001
C: #Ifs= 4 Cfg#= 1 Atr=80 MxPwr=98mA
I: If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 1 Cls=0e(video) Sub=01 Prot=00 Driver=uvcvideo
I: If#= 1 Alt= 0 #EPs= 0 Cls=0e(video) Sub=02 Prot=00 Driver=uvcvideo
I: If#= 2 Alt= 0 #EPs= 0 Cls=01(audio) Sub=01 Prot=00 Driver=snd-usb-audio
I: If#= 3 Alt= 0 #EPs= 0 Cls=01(audio) Sub=02 Prot=00 Driver=snd-usb-audio

T: Bus=01 Lev=02 Prnt=02 Port=05 Cnt=03 Dev#= 4 Spd=12 MxCh= 0
D: Ver= 1.10 Cls=00(>ifc ) Sub=00 Prot=00 MxPS=64 #Cfgs= 1
P: Vendor=0408 ProdID=3003 Rev=03.04
S: Manufacturer=Quanta Computer
S: Product=OpticalTouchScreen
S: SerialNumber=0000
C: #Ifs= 1 Cfg#= 1 Atr=e0 MxPwr=96mA
I: If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 1 Cls=03(HID ) Sub=00 Prot=00 Driver=usbhid

T: Bus=02 Lev=00 Prnt=00 Port=00 Cnt=00 Dev#= 1 Spd=480 MxCh= 2
D: Ver= 2.00 Cls=09(hub ) Sub=00 Prot=00 MxPS=64 #Cfgs= 1
P: Vendor=1d6b ProdID=0002 Rev=04.02
S: Manufacturer=Linux 4.2.0-19-generic ehci_hcd
S: Product=EHCI Host Controller
S: SerialNumber=0000:00:1d.0
C: #Ifs= 1 Cfg#= 1 Atr=e0 MxPwr=0mA
I: If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 1 Cls=09(hub ) Sub=00 Prot=00 Driver=hub

T: Bus=02 Lev=01 Prnt=01 Port=00 Cnt=01 Dev#= 2 Spd=480 MxCh= 8
D: Ver= 2.00 Cls=09(hub ) Sub=00 Prot=01 MxPS=64 #Cfgs= 1
P: Vendor=8087 ProdID=0024 Rev=00.00
C: #Ifs= 1 Cfg#= 1 Atr=e0 MxPwr=0mA
I: If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 1 Cls=09(hub ) Sub=00 Prot=00 Driver=hub

T: Bus=02 Lev=02 Prnt=02 Port=07 Cnt=01 Dev#= 4 Spd=480 MxCh= 0
D: Ver= 2.00 Cls=00(>ifc ) Sub=00 Prot=00 MxPS=64 #Cfgs= 1
P: Vendor=0bda ProdID=8172 Rev=02.00
S: Manufacturer=Manufacturer Realtek
S: Product=RTL8191S WLAN Adapter
S: SerialNumber=00e04c000001
C: #Ifs= 1 Cfg#= 1 Atr=80 MxPwr=500mA
I: If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 4 Cls=ff(vend....

[penalvch (penalvch)]

jimlovell777, as per https://wireless.wiki.kernel.org/en/users/drivers/rtl819x the most updated upstream kernel is https://git.kernel.org/cgit/linux/kernel/git/gregkh/staging.git/ . Hence, could you please test this following https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeam/GitKernelBuild and advise to the results?

[jimlovell777 (jimlovell777)]

I can do that.

Would you like me to follow the "Kernel Build and Installation" or "Using Ubuntu Kernel Configuration" on the https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelTeam/GitKernelBuild page?

[jimlovell777 (jimlovell777)]

I followed the instructions on the page you linked and after booting into the 4.4.0-rc2-custom kernel, the wireless card did work without issue or additional drivers.

[penalvch (penalvch)]

jimlovell777, the issue you are reporting is an upstream one. Could you please report this problem following the instructions verbatim at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/Upstream/kernel to the appropriate venue (TO Greg Kroah-Hartman and Larry Finger CC driverdev-devel)?

Please provide a direct URL to your newly made report when it becomes available so that it may be tracked.

Thank you for your understanding.