Ubuntu – Realtek RTL8188CE network adapter repeatedly drops connection

networkingrealtekwireless

Variations of this problem certainly seem to be common, but I'm not not seeing a recent solution for my case: I'm running Ubuntu 13.04,
uname -r = 3.8.0-21-generic
lspci = 02:00.0 Network controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8188CE 802.11b/g/n WiFi Adapter (rev 01)

The wifi network connection is relatively slow, but more seriously, repeatedly drops completely every few minutes. It usually recovers in a minute or so, but then drops again in 1-3 minutes. Running Windows 8 (ugh) on the same system, the connection never drops. Some of the solutions proposed, involve compiling/installing a new driver from Realtek – I'm really not comfortable doing that. Another suggested adding a /etc/modprobe.d/rtl8192.conf file containing a "options rtl8192ce ips=0 debug=2" line. I tried that – no effect. Another solution proposed deleting the network manager and installing something called "wicd". I haven't tried that yet, wondering, if "wicd" didn't help/work, could I use apt-get to purge it and re-install the network manager to get back to where I am?

Suggestions?

Best Answer

You mention that you aren't comfortable compiling and installing a driver, but unfortunately you can't do this without that. Fortunately, because of the pain I went through personally, I have made it as easy as possible for you. I fixed the compile issues on 13.04 with the RTL8188CE driver and put detailed instructions for install up on my Git Hub.

This version fixes the compile error and also fixes the hard-coded Tx Power value that was set to 22 dBm.

First install Git and build dependencies:

sudo apt-get install git
apt-get install gcc build-essential linux-headers-generic linux-headers-`uname -r`

Then clone the repo. I like to make a directory in my home folder and put it there:

cd ~
mkdir gitclone && cd gitclone
git clone https://github.com/FreedomBen/rtl8188ce-linux-driver/blob/master/README.md
cd rtl8188ce-linux-driver

Then follow the instructions in README.md

EDIT: 22-Jan-2015

It is now even easier. Install git:

sudo apt-get install git

and run this command

git clone https://github.com/FreedomBen/rtl8188ce-linux-driver.git && cd rtl8188ce-linux-driver && ./install.sh`

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Ubuntu – How to get a stable WLAN-connection with a Lenovo x121e

I finally fixed this problem by compiling and installing the latest drivers from Linux Wireless in Ubuntu 12.04, in my case the "compat-wireless-3.5.1-1-snpc.tar.bz2" package: http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Download/stable/

One needs the header files for his kernel and the build-essentials package. I recommend also to run the script "driver-select" with the option rtlwifi before compiling because one doesn't need the other drivers and it reduces building time:

sudo apt-get install linux-headers-$(uname -r) build-essential

tar jvxf compat-wireless-3.5.1-1-snpc.tar.bz2
cd compat-wireless-3.5.1-1-snpc
./scripts/driver-select rtlwifi
make
sudo make install

But the downside is you have to rebuild the driver after every kernel update.

I'm running the driver for two days now with excessive closing and opening the lid and didn't get any disconnects.

Ubuntu – Rtl8192ce Drivers not compiling in Raring

Download and try to compile this instead: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/54132482/rtl_92ce_92se_92de_8723ae_linux_mac80211_0006.0514.2012.zip

Extract it, then run:

sudo make

Then:

sudo make install

Then:

sudo modprobe rtl8792ce

Then check your wireless. If it still doesn't work, reboot.

Best Answer

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Ubuntu – How to get a stable WLAN-connection with a Lenovo x121e

Ubuntu – Rtl8192ce Drivers not compiling in Raring

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