Realtek RTL8188FTV WiFi Adapter on Linux

This step-by-step guide is designed to help you set up the Realtek RTL8188FTV WiFi adapter on Linux. The instructions were tested on Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS (x86_64) with Linux kernel 5.15.0-58-generic. If you're using a different distribution or version, some steps may vary. Feel free to ask questions if you encounter any issues.

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Prerequisites

1. Plug in the Realtek RTL8188FTV WiFi adapter into a USB port on your Linux PC.
2. Boot up your Linux PC.

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Step 1: Open Terminal

1. Click the Grid button (9 dots) to open the Application drawer.
2. Search for and open the Terminal application.
   • The Terminal window will have a black background with white text, similar to the Windows Command Prompt.

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Step 2: Check if the WiFi Adapter is Detected

Verify that the Realtek RTL8188FTV WiFi adapter is recognized by your system.

Option 1: Check Network Interfaces

1. Run the following command in the Terminal:

   ip a

2. Look for a network interface with a prefix like wlx (e.g., wlx1234567890ab).

Option 2: Check USB Devices

1. Run the following command in the Terminal:

   lsusb

2. Look for an entry similar to:

   Realtek Semiconductor Corp. RTL8188FTV 802.11b/g/n 1T1R 2.4G WLAN Adapter
   

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Step 3: Update System Packages

Ensure your system is up to date before proceeding.

1. Update the package list:

   sudo apt update

2. Upgrade installed packages:

   sudo apt upgrade

3. Install the net-tools package (optional but useful for network troubleshooting):

   sudo apt install net-tools

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Step 4: Add the Kelebek Repository

The Kelebek repository contains the driver for the Realtek RTL8188FTV adapter. Add it to your system:

1. Add the repository:

   sudo add-apt-repository ppa:kelebek333/kablosuz

2. Update the package list again:

   sudo apt-get update

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Step 5: Install the WiFi Adapter Driver

Install the driver for the Realtek RTL8188FTV adapter:

1. Install the driver:

   sudo apt-get install rtl8188fu-dkms

2. (Optional) To remove the driver later, use:

   sudo apt purge rtl8188fu-dkms

For more details, visit the GitHub repository.

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Step 6: Configure the Driver

Adjust the driver configuration to ensure proper functionality:

1. Disable IPS Mode (Optional but Recommended)

IPS (Inactive Power Save) mode can sometimes cause connectivity issues. Disabling it is recommended for better performance:

1. Create or update the driver configuration file:

   echo "options rtl8188fu rtw_ips_mode=0" | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/rtl8188fu.conf

   • This command writes options rtl8188fu rtw_ips_mode=0 to the file /etc/modprobe.d/rtl8188fu.conf.
   • If the file already exists, it will be overwritten. To append instead, use tee -a.

2. Reload the driver to apply the changes:

   sudo modprobe -rv rtl8188fu && sudo modprobe -v rtl8188fu

   • This unloads (-r) and reloads (-v) the rtl8188fu module with the new configuration.

2. Fix MAC Address Changes (Optional)

If the MAC address of your adapter changes after every reboot, you can set a static MAC address:

1. Replace xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx with your desired MAC address and run:

   echo "options rtl8188fu rtw_ips_mode=0 rtw_initmac=xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx" | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/rtl8188fu.conf

   • This sets both rtw_ips_mode=0 and a static MAC address (rtw_initmac=xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx).

2. Reload the driver to apply the changes:

   sudo modprobe -rv rtl8188fu && sudo modprobe -v rtl8188fu

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Step 7: Reboot Your PC

Restart your system to ensure all changes are applied:

1. Click the Power menu (top-right corner of the screen).
2. Select Restart.

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Step 8: Connect to Wi-Fi

Connect to your Wi-Fi network:

1. Open Settings from the Application drawer.
2. Go to Wi-Fi and turn it on if it’s off.
3. Select your network and enter the password.

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How to Remove the Driver and PPA

If you no longer need the driver or the Kelebek repository, follow these steps:

1. Remove the driver:

   sudo apt purge rtl8188fu-dkms

2. Remove the Kelebek repository:

   sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:kelebek333/kablosuz

3. Reboot your PC to complete the removal:

   sudo reboot

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That’s it! Your Realtek RTL8188FTV WiFi adapter should now be fully functional on your Linux PC. If you encounter any issues, refer to the GitHub repository or seek help from the Linux community.