Transition to an operating system Linux Mint often comes as a pleasant surprise to users accustomed to the complexities of setting up peripherals in other distributions. Modern versions of this OS, based on the kernel Linux Kernel, have impressive compatibility with wireless adapters, allowing you to connect to the internet almost immediately after installation. However, reality may differ from this ideal, especially if you use specialized equipment or are in an area with poor radio coverage.
In this article, we'll cover all aspects of working with wireless networks: from basic SSID selection in the graphical interface to manually editing configuration files via the terminal. You'll learn how to diagnose driver issues and get older wireless cards working. 802.11n and ensure a stable connection for work or entertainment. Wireless network — is the foundation of a modern computer, and its proper configuration is critically important.
Before taking any action, make sure the physical Wi-Fi switch on your device is enabled. On laptops, this may be a key combination with an antenna icon or a separate slider on the case that blocks the radio module at the hardware level. If the indicators don't respond, software solutions will be ineffective until you remove the physical blockage.
Diagnosing the wireless adapter and installing drivers
The first step if there is no connection is to check if the adapter is visible to the system. In Linux Mint, this is done by a utility called Network Manager, but sometimes you need to dive deeper into the system via the command line. Enter the command ip link show or iwconfigto see a list of network interfaces. If you see an interface with a name like wlan0 or wlp2s0, this means that the system has detected your device, and the problem most likely lies in the software settings or drivers.
The situation becomes more complicated if the adapter isn't displayed at all. This often applies to devices from the manufacturer. Broadcom or Realtek, requiring proprietary drivers. Luckily, Mint has a great built-in tool for finding them. Open the Applications menu and find the "Administration" section, then "Additional Drivers." The system will scan your hardware and suggest available software options.
- 📡 Automatic search: The system will automatically find the most suitable driver from the repositories.
- 🔒 Proprietary modules: Often required for stable operation of Broadcom chips.
- 🔄 Kernel update: Sometimes a new kernel version already contains the required module.
⚠️ Attention: When installing drivers via the graphical interface, make sure you have an alternative internet connection (such as a USB modem or Ethernet cable), as the system will need to download packages from the repository.
If the automatic search doesn't yield results, you may need to install it manually via the terminal. Use a package manager for this. aptFor example, for some Realtek cards, packages with names are relevant firmware-realtekThe installation process requires superuser rights, so be sure to use the prefix sudoAfter installing any software, be sure to reboot your system for the changes to take effect.
Connecting via the Network Manager GUI
For most users, setting up Wi-Fi on Linux Mint It's limited to working with a graphical interface, which is a huge advantage of the distribution. In the lower right corner of the screen, in the notification area (system tray), there's a network icon. Clicking it will display a list of available wireless networks. If your network is hidden, you'll need to select "Connect to hidden network" and enter the name (SSID) manually.
When you select an open network, the connection will be established automatically. If the network is password-protected, a dialog box will appear asking you to enter the security key. It's important to select the correct encryption type, although the system usually offers the default option. WPA/WPA2 Personal, which is standard for home routers. After entering the password, you can check the "Connect automatically" box so the device remembers this network.
For more advanced settings, click the gear icon or select "Network Settings" from the menu. This opens a configuration window where you can manage all saved profiles. You can edit IPv4 and IPv6 settings, configure DNS servers manually, or change the MAC address for increased privacy. All changes are applied instantly, but some may require a reconnection.
☑️ Connection check
Pay special attention to the "Privacy" tab in the settings for a specific connection. Here you can configure MAC address randomization. This feature changes the unique identifier of your network adapter each time you connect to a new network, making it more difficult for your ISP or access point owner to track your movements.
Setting up a static IP address and DNS
In some cases, such as accessing a network printer or media server, your computer requires a permanent IP address. Dynamic address allocation via DHCP This is convenient, but it doesn't guarantee that the address won't change after a router reboot. To lock the address, go to the connection settings, select the IPv4 tab, and change the method from "Automatic (DHCP)" to "Manual."
In the table that appears, you need to enter the address, network mask, and gateway. The gateway address is usually the same as your router's address (often 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1). The standard subnet mask for home networks is 255.255.255.0You can also specify DNS servers here, for example, public ones from Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), which sometimes speeds up domain response times.
| Parameter | Meaning (example) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Address | 192.168.1.50 | Fixed IP for your PC |
| Mask | 255.255.255.0 | Determines the size of the local network |
| Gateway | 192.168.1.1 | Your router's address |
| DNS | 8.8.8.8, 1.1.1.1 | Name resolution servers |
After entering all the information, click "Save" and reconnect to the network. If the settings are correct, the connection will be established with the new parameters. You can check them with the command ip addr show in the terminal. Make sure the address doesn't conflict with other devices on the network, otherwise you'll have internet access issues for both devices.
Using the terminal: nmcli and iwctl
For command line enthusiasts or remote administrators, the graphical interface may be unavailable. In such cases, a utility comes to the rescue. nmcli (Network Manager Command Line Interface). It allows you to manage connections without leaving the terminal. To start scanning networks, use the command nmcli dev wifi list, which will display a list of available access points, indicating the signal and security.
To connect to the network, use the following construction: nmcli dev wifi connect "Network_Name" password "Your_Password"If the network is hidden, add a flag --hiddenThis is a quick way to reconnect without having to restart the graphical interface. All profiles created via the terminal are saved and will be available in the graphical interface.
nmcli dev wifi connect "HomeWiFi" password "SuperSecretPass123"There is also a newer utility iwctl (iwd), which is gradually replacing the older methods in some distributions, but in Linux Mint the NetworkManager and nmcliKnowing basic terminal commands allows you to create scripts to automatically switch profiles based on location or time of day, which is especially useful for mobile users.
⚠️ Attention: When entering passwords in the terminal through the command history (
history) they may be saved in cleartext. Be careful on shared computers and clear your history or use environment variables when entering sensitive data.
Troubleshooting connection interruptions
One common issue is an unstable connection, where Wi-Fi constantly drops out or the speed drops to zero. The culprit is often the power-saving mechanism, which attempts to disable the adapter to conserve battery life. To disable this, you need to edit the configuration file. /etc/NetworkManager/conf.d/default-wifi-powersave-on.conf.
Open the file with root privileges and find the parameter wifi.powersaveChange its value to 2, which means turning off power saving (meaning 3 (enables it). After saving the file, restart the Network Manager service with the command sudo systemctl restart NetworkManagerThis action often solves the problem of the card "falling asleep" at the wrong moment.
- 🔋 Energy saving: The main reason for tears on laptops.
- 📡 Channel crossing: Neighboring routers may jam the signal.
- 🛡️ Firewall: Sometimes blocks service packages.
Another reason could be airwave congestion. If you live in an apartment building, dozens of neighboring routers are all using the same channels. Use a utility wavemon or inxi --N To analyze signal quality and noise levels, switching the router to a less congested channel (for example, 1, 6, or 11 in the 2.4 GHz band) can dramatically improve the situation.
How to change the channel on a router?
Log into your router's web interface (usually 192.168.0.1) and find the Wireless or Wi-Fi section. In the Channel settings, change the value from Auto to "Channel." Save the settings. The router will reboot.
Creating a Hotspot in Linux Mint
Your laptop with Linux Mint It can not only receive a signal but also distribute internet. This is useful if you have a wired connection but need to share Wi-Fi with your phone or tablet. In the network settings, select "Use as Hotspot." The system will prompt you to set a network name and password.
Once the hotspot is activated, your computer will create a new wireless network. Other devices will be able to connect to it and access the internet through your connection. This works similar to the tethering feature on smartphones. 4 GHz or 5 GHz frequencies depend on hardware support.
To create a more complex configuration, for example with a guest network or traffic limitation, you can use the utility create_ap, available through GitHub. However, for basic tasks, the built-in functionality Network Manager is quite enough. Make sure that in your firewall settings (ufw) traffic is allowed to pass for the created point.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why doesn't Linux Mint see my Wi-Fi adapter?
Most likely, the driver for your network card is missing. Check the "Additional Drivers" section in the administration menu or connect the computer via cable and update the system. Also, make sure the adapter isn't blocked by a physical switch or Fn key combination.
How to forget a Wi-Fi network in Linux Mint?
Open the network settings, select the desired connection from the list, and click the "Delete" button or the minus icon. This will delete the profile along with the saved password, and the system will no longer attempt to connect to this access point automatically.
Is it possible to share Wi-Fi from a Linux Mint laptop?
Yes, this is possible. Use the built-in "Access Point Mode" feature in your network settings. Your laptop will broadcast a signal, receiving internet via an Ethernet cable or another Wi-Fi adapter (if you have two).
Where can I find saved Wi-Fi passwords?
Passwords are stored in configuration files in the folder /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/. The files have the extension .nmconnection and are protected by root privileges. To view the password, find the line inside the file. psk=.
Why is Wi-Fi speed slow on Linux Mint?
This could be due to power saving mode, incorrect router channel selection, or the use of an outdated encryption standard. Try disabling the adapter's power saving mode and testing the speed using the terminal utility. speedtest-cli.