Get Your Realtek WiFi Working on Linux

One command installs RTW88 WiFi 5 drivers with DKMS, so they survive kernel updates

DKMS Support Secure Boot Ready Multi-Distro

Quick Install

Run this in your terminal to detect your system and install the right driver:

bash
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://dandanilyuk.github.io/rtw88_driver_installer/install.sh)"

The script will ask for your sudo password. It only modifies driver-related files and can be cleanly uninstalled with ./install.sh -u.

What the Script Does

1

Detect Your System

Identifies your distro (Debian, Ubuntu, Kali, Arch, etc.) and installs the right dependencies.

2

Fetch the Latest Drivers

Pulls the lwfinger/rtw88 source - community-maintained backports of the upstream kernel drivers.

3

Build & Register with DKMS

Compiles the driver for your running kernel and registers it with DKMS for automatic rebuilds on updates.

4

Configure & Activate

Copies firmware files, writes modprobe config, and loads the driver. A reboot finishes the job.

What Gets Installed

Driver Source

lwfinger/rtw88 - community-maintained backport of the upstream Realtek WiFi 5 drivers

Installation Method

DKMS - the driver rebuilds itself automatically every time your kernel updates

Dependencies

build-essential (or base-devel), dkms, git, and your kernel headers - installed automatically

Configuration

Firmware blobs and a modprobe config file tuned for stable performance

Supported Hardware

PCIe Cards

RTL8723DE, RTL8814AE, RTL8821CE, RTL8822BE, RTL8822CE

USB Adapters

RTL8723DU, RTL8811AU, RTL8811CU, RTL8812AU, RTL8812BU, RTL8812CU, RTL8814AU, RTL8821AU, RTL8821CU, RTL8822BU, RTL8822CU

SDIO Cards

RTL8723CS, RTL8723DS, RTL8821CS, RTL8822BS, RTL8822CS

Tested Distributions

Ubuntu / Debian

20.04+, plus derivatives like Linux Mint, Pop!_OS, and Zorin

Kali Linux

Rolling and stable releases, ideal for wireless pentesting setups

Raspberry Pi OS

Both 32-bit and 64-bit versions

Arch-based

Arch Linux, Manjaro, EndeavourOS, and other pacman-based distros

After Installation

A few things to check once the script finishes:

1. Secure Boot Users

Secure Boot requires enrolling a Machine Owner Key (MOK). The script detects this and walks you through it.

2. Reboot

A reboot loads the new driver. Your WiFi adapter should appear automatically afterward.

3. Verify

Confirm the driver loaded: lsmod | grep rtw