Need wifi driver for TP-Link AC600 T2E or workaround [SOLVED]

[chime]

Description: Ubuntu 23.10

Then why are you posting in these Mint forums?

Read the previous posts. This is an experiment to see if other Ubuntu OS work with it.

[chime]

I am marking this solved even though the specific problem can't be "fixed". However the problem is identified, and there are options.

The research has shown that the correct driver for the AC600 T2E (ver.1) is the rtl8821ce. Some sources say rtl8821au, but not from my observations in the following options. These don't work with the 5.15 kernel it seems, but you can try installing those first, if you like. Maybe it will work on your computer. The 6.5 kernel on the standard 21.3 distorted the graphics on this computer and did not connect the wifi.

As I mentioned before, I tried running live USBs of a few different Ubuntu based OS and only those using the 6.5 kernel worked, and they used the rtl8821ce driver.

Have you tried Mint Edge?

https://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=314

Cinnamon Edition - "EDGE" ISO

It has the 6.5 kernal. I might of missed it but it seems you have the standard Mint Cinnamon installed and no one suggested Edge.

Going back over the thread I spotted this, which was perfect. Sorry I missed it. Mint 21.3 Edge uses 6.5 and works for me, and I would prefer using it to Ubuntu Cinnamon. Thanks. I looked up and found that Mint 22 which is coming in June/July will be using a 6.8 kernel, so I am hopeful that will work also.

Thanks to everyone for your help.

[sleeper12]

I wonder why the 6.5 kernel works for you in Edge, but not in the standard Mint? No matter now I suppose, but it would be nice to know.

[seasons]

The 6.5 kernel on the standard 21.3 distorted the graphics

Did you use the PPA I linked to?

[chime]

The 6.5 kernel on the standard 21.3 distorted the graphics

Did you use the PPA I linked to?

Since the wifi didn't work I had no need to fix the graphics problem.

[JeremyB]

About the only reason the wifi didn't work and graphics issues might be that the linux-modules-extra didn't install with the rest of the kernel. The 6.5 that was tried is the same exact as what is part of 21.3 edge.
The wifi should have worked in 5.15 with https://github.com/tomaspinho/rtl8821ce installed

[chime]

About the only reason the wifi didn't work and graphics issues might be that the linux-modules-extra didn't install with the rest of the kernel. The 6.5 that was tried is the same exact as what is part of 21.3 edge.
The wifi should have worked in 5.15 with https://github.com/tomaspinho/rtl8821ce installed

I may have made some error when trying the 6.5 kernel, I can't be completely sure. It didn't work so I stopped trying. Perhaps adding the linux-modules-extra would have been the fix. However the 5.15 is the default, and I tried the 8821ce (as well as 8821au) long before I posted here. I then followed the instructions again even though I was being sent to the same sources I had already tried. The rtl8821ce (or au) would not work with Mint 21.3,
or Xubuntu 20.04.05 using the 5.15 kernel, or Mint 20.3 (5.4x) . Of that I am certain.

[JeremyB]

About the only reason the wifi didn't work and graphics issues might be that the linux-modules-extra didn't install with the rest of the kernel. The 6.5 that was tried is the same exact as what is part of 21.3 edge.
The wifi should have worked in 5.15 with https://github.com/tomaspinho/rtl8821ce installed

I may have made some error when trying the 6.5 kernel, I can't be completely sure. It didn't work so I stopped trying. Perhaps adding the linux-modules-extra would have been the fix. However the 5.15 is the default, and I tried the 8821ce (as well as 8821au) long before I posted here. I then followed the instructions again even though I was being sent to the same sources I had already tried. The rtl8821ce (or au) would not work with Mint 21.3, 20.3 or Xubuntu 20.04.05 using the 5.15 kernel. Of that I am certain.

The rtl8821ce-dkms from the repos wouldn't work as it isn't patched for the device ID that you have

[chime]

The rtl8821ce-dkms from the repos wouldn't work as it isn't patched for the device ID that you have

I didn't use the repos, I downloaded from github, the same as you directed me to.

[chime]

I think though for anyone who may be consulting this post in the future for a solution, these are the steps:
1. Download the rtl8821ce driver from github and install it
2. Reboot loading the most recent 6.5 kernel

If that does not work, consult one of the other options above. If they can make the 8821ce work with the 5.15, they probably aren't searching here for an answer.

[MintMagoo]

Why not just test it from the "Latest Edge ISO image" for those installing Mint on newer hardware and save a lot of hassle?

I have found no issues with Edge that are specific to Edge. No driver issues. No issues with stability. The only issue is waking from Sleep mode when using NVIDIA in discreet mode. Using NVIDIA drivers did not solve. Only response from Lenovo was to blame Mint and suggest Fedora'a latest distro. Fedora did not solve the issue. Thinking about it I realized sleep mode has never been a consistently dependable feature on any of my Lenovo's even using Windows. Like "precision" touch pads, a inconsistent feature guaranteed to cause, aggravation, lost time, that even if you solve today, will fail again in the future. After a lot of effort I reverted to the open source NIVIDIA driver.

Don't mean to hijack the thread, just wasted a lot of time chasing down and testing issues not related to Edge. I started with Edge on a 13th GEN and after a lot of effort have found it is the best solution at this time.

[chime]

Why not just test it from the "Latest Edge ISO image" for those installing Mint on newer hardware and save a lot of hassle?

Because if someone has the need to perform a search and has found this thread, it means they already have the standard 21.3 installed. Might as well try the quick fix first. In more than a decade I have never had an issue before, but now I know to make sure wifi works using a live USB before installing.

Also, I am using Edge now, and there have been no problems so far.