How to find out which WiFi adapter is installed in Ubuntu: identification methods

Operating system users Linux Users often need to accurately identify their hardware, especially when it comes to wireless network interfaces. Unlike Windows, where the Device Manager immediately displays the chipset name, Ubuntu requires using the command line or specialized utilities. This knowledge is critical for finding the right drivers if the system doesn't detect the network by default.

Accurate identification wireless controller This helps avoid errors when installing proprietary software and determine whether your device supports modern encryption standards. Many connection issues are resolved once the user knows the exact model of their device. In this article, we'll discuss all the effective ways to obtain this information.

⚠️ Note: Command line interfaces and utility output may differ slightly depending on the distribution version (e.g. 20.04 LTS vs. 24.04 LTS) and processor architecture.

Using the lspci utility for internal adapters

The most common way to test equipment connected via a bus is PCI Express, is the use of the command lspciMost laptops and desktop computers use this interface to integrate wireless modules directly into the motherboard. The command lists all devices, so you need to filter the results.

To get only network cards, it is recommended to use a filter key -k or grepThis allows you to immediately see not only the name of the device, but also the status of the downloaded one. kernel driversIf the driver is loaded, you will see the line "Kernel driver in use," which indicates that the hardware is working correctly at a basic level.

lspci -k | grep -A 3 -i network

The command output will show the chipset manufacturer, for example, Intel Corporation or Realtek SemiconductorThis is key information for further specification research. If there are no devices labeled "Network" or "Wireless" in the list, your adapter may be connected via USB or disabled in the BIOS.

• 🔍 Vendor ID — unique identifier of the equipment manufacturer.
• 🔍 Device ID — a unique identifier of a specific device.
• 🔍 Subsystem — information about the manufacturer of the end device (for example, a laptop).

📊 What type of WiFi adapter are you using?

Built into the laptop (PCIe)

USB whistle

External PCIe card

I don't know / I need to check

Checking USB WiFi adapters with lsusb

If you are using an external module or a built-in adapter that emulates a USB connection, the standard command is lspci may not show the result. In such cases, a utility comes to the rescue lsusb, which scans the tire Universal Serial BusThis is especially true for compact "whistles" and some M.2 modules operating in USB mode.

Run the command without arguments to see a list of all connected USB devices. Look for lines containing the words "Wireless," "WiFi," "802.11," or the names of well-known network chip manufacturers, such as MediaTek, Ralink or AtherosA detailed output can be obtained with the flag -v, but it may be too voluminous.

lsusb | grep -i wireless

It often happens that a device is identified simply as "Unknown Device" or by the manufacturer's name without specifying the model. In this case, it is important to copy the device ID (in the format idVendor:idProduct) and check it in the hardware database. This will help you find the exact chipset name hidden behind the generic description.

⚠️ Note: Some modern WiFi 6 adapters may require a Linux kernel update to be correctly detected via lsusb, as older kernel versions do not contain the necessary descriptors.

Detailed information using lshw

Utility lshw (list hardware) provides the most structured and detailed description of the system configuration. It collects data from various kernel sources and presents it in an easy-to-read format. The network interfaces class is used. network, which allows you to filter out unnecessary information about disks and the processor.

The command requires superuser privileges to access all configuration information. The output will show not only the model, but also the logical interface name (e.g., wlan0), inclusion status (enabled or disabled) and supported capabilities. This is an indispensable tool for deep diagnostics problems.

sudo lshw -class network

Pay attention to the "configuration" field. The driver used is often indicated there (driver=iwlwifi) and connection status. If the "capabilities" field is empty or contains only a few entries, the kernel module may not be fully loaded. In this case, it's worth checking the system logs.

Parameter	Description	Example of meaning
logical name	Interface name in the system	wlp2s0
product	Device model	Wi-Fi 6 AX200
vendor	Chip manufacturer	Intel Corporation
bus info	Address in bus space	pci@0000:02:00.0
configuration	Driver parameters	driver=iwlwifi

☑️ Check adapter status

The lshw utility was run with sudo*-network section foundThe 'configuration' field is checkedThe 'enabled' status has been confirmed

Completed: 0 / 4

Analysis using the hwinfo utility

Tool hwinfo It's considered one of the most powerful hardware detection tools in Linux, often providing more detail than the distribution's default utilities. It may not be installed by default on minimalist Ubuntu builds, so you'll need to install it through your package manager. apt.

After installation, the command hwinfo --netcard will display comprehensive information about all network cards. The utility's unique feature is that it groups data logically, indicating connection status, speed, MAC address, and, most importantly, the exact chipset model. This is useful when other methods yield inconsistent results.

sudo apt install hwinfo
sudo hwinfo --netcard

In the report hwinfo You can find the "Driver Modules" section, which tells you which kernel modules Linux compatible with the device, even if they're not currently downloaded. This helps determine whether additional firmware packages need to be installed manually.

⚠️ Note: Installing additional diagnostic packages may require an internet connection via an Ethernet cable or USB modem if WiFi is not yet working.

What to do if hwinfo is not installed?

If the repository is unavailable, check your internet connection or try 'sudo apt update' before installing. In rare cases, the package may be named 'hwinfo-detect' in specific builds.

Using inxi for a quick overview

Utility inxi is popular among forum users due to its concise and clear output. It's ideal for quickly checking a configuration without delving into technical details. -N specially designed to display network information.

Launch inxi -N will display a list of network devices, categorized by connection type (Ethernet and WiFi). Each device will be listed by interface name, model, and driver used. This is one of the fastest ways to answer the question "What kind of WiFi do I have?"

inxi -N

If you need more detailed information, add flags -x or -xx for extended output. However, for initial identification, the basic command is usually sufficient. The utility automatically detects the connection type and filters out virtual interfaces unless they are marked as primary.

• 🚀 Quick start without complex parameters.
• 🚀 Readable output format for beginners.
• 🚀 Automatic interface type detection.

Chipset detection via dmesg and kernel logs

When graphical utilities are silent, kernel logs come to the rescue. dmesg Outputs a kernel message buffer that records the hardware initialization process during boot. This is the "final resort" in diagnostics, showing what exactly the driver "sees" when interacting with the hardware.

Use grep to filter messages related to wireless interfaces. Keyword searches may include "firmware," "wlan," "ieee80211," or specific driver names. This is often where you'll see a firmware download error that prevents the adapter from working.

dmesg | grep -i firmware
dmesg | grep -i wlan

If there are error messages in the logs (marked as [ERROR] (or in red), this indicates a compatibility issue between the device's kernel version and microcode. In such cases, knowing the exact chipset model, obtained from these logs, becomes critical for finding a solution.

⚠️ Note: dmesg logs are overwritten with each reboot, so check them immediately after attempting to connect or turn on the device before the information is archived.

Why are there so many strange symbols in the logs?

The Linux kernel writes technical messages in hexadecimal format. To decipher them, it's best to copy the entire string and search online for the error code.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How can I find out my WiFi adapter model if I don't have internet access?

Use commands lspci or lsusb, which operate locally and don't require a network. Copy the device ID (Vendor:Product) to your phone and find the model in the PCI ID Repository.

Why doesn't the lspci command show my WiFi adapter?

Most likely, your adapter is connected via USB (even if it is built into the laptop). Try using the command lsusb or sudo lshw -class network for detection.

Where can I find the driver if I know the adapter model?

For Ubuntu, look for packages in the repositories apt (For example, firmware-iwlwifi). For proprietary drivers, use the "Additional Drivers" utility in the system settings.

What does "Kernel driver in use: ?" mean in lspci output?

This means the Linux kernel detected the device but couldn't find a suitable driver to work with it. You need to install the firmware or driver package for your model.