MediaTek (mt7902): Wireless Driver Support for Linux

notpua · 09-02-2023, 12:23 PM

I have an Asus Vivobook 16, and I would love to use any linux distribution on it. But the problem is, the wifi driver "MEDIATEK Corp. Device 7902" is not supported by linux.

Just like any new laptop it doesn't come with an ethernet port and even bluetooth doesn't work.

Things I've tried:

Installed Ubuntu developer edition to see if newer kernel has support.
Downgraded and Upgraded kernels, (mainline) from 5.15 to 6.4.6
Installed other drivers with similar models like mt7921 etc.

According to this source, they hit like every model but the one I have.

So is there any way I can compile my own custom kernel with this driver support ??

Here's some relevant hardware info:

Code:

$ lshw -c network

WARNING: you should run this program as super-user.
  *-network UNCLAIMED       
       description: Network controller
       product: MEDIATEK Corp.
       vendor: MEDIATEK Corp.
       physical id: 0
       bus info: pci@0000:02:00.0
       version: 00
       width: 64 bits
       clock: 33MHz
       capabilities: bus_master cap_list
       configuration: latency=0
       resources: iomemory:600-5ff memory:6000000000-60000fffff memory:84000000-84007fff
  *-network
       description: Ethernet interface
       physical id: b
       bus info: usb@1:1
       logical name: enx56b1bb9c2d03
       serial: 56:b1:bb:9c:2d:03
       capabilities: ethernet physical
       configuration: autonegotiation=off broadcast=yes driver=rndis_host driverversion=6.3.0-7-generic duplex=half firmware=RNDIS device ip=192.168.180.142 link=yes multicast=yes port=twisted pair
WARNING: output may be incomplete or inaccurate, you should run this program as super-user.

OS: Ubuntu dev edition, build: 31 August 2023.

Code:

$ uname -a
Linux username 6.3.0-7-generic #7-Ubuntu SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Thu Jun  8 16:02:30 UTC 2023 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

yvesjv · 09-02-2023, 06:36 PM

Just looked at the latest and doesn't appear there either:
https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux...ek/mt76?h=v6.5
https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux.../mt76?h=v6.5.1

You may have to do with a USB dongle...

Emerson · 09-02-2023, 07:16 PM

What kind of wireless card is it. You may be able to replace it with something that supports Linux. Is it an M.2 device?

syg00 · 09-02-2023, 08:13 PM

No need to replace it, just get a supported USB button drive until it's supported. Mediatek is junk - I have a MT7922 in my new laptop and it ran awful under Win11 as well until an update seems to have "fixed" it. Supported by recent (6.2 ?) Linux kernels, but I have yet to commit to installing it (works fine in liveUSB mode).

Be careful with the USB as well - almost all are RealTek these days, and the same crap-shoot applies.

Emerson · 09-02-2023, 10:18 PM

I would replace it. Get a trustworthy Intel and forget it. Other solution, at least temporary, is a USB to ethernet adapter and wired connection. If you mess with computers you should have one in the drawer anyway, they are handy.

notpua · 09-02-2023, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syg00

Be careful with the USB as well - almost all are RealTek these days, and the same crap-shoot applies.

Alright, I already ordered one of these bad boys, comes with both wifi and bluetooth 4.2. And quick googling, TP-Link adapters seem to be the most famous and supported.

notpua · 09-02-2023, 11:21 PM

Will mark this thread solved ones this card receives official support from Linux kernel though.

dryunkaaa · 04-19-2024, 05:44 AM

please tell me, did everything work with the tp link adapter you specified? wifi and bluetooth? are there any more problems?

business_kid · 04-19-2024, 06:24 AM

My usual routine on crappy wifi things is

Do a web search for '[the pci.id | usb.id] +linux +driver'
Check on github for a driver with recent commits.
Don't buy it in the first place, or return it.

dr.s · 04-27-2024, 08:18 PM

I've had the same problem with a Vivobook 15 laptop here, MT7902 is still not supported,
workaround was to get a Netgear Wifi usb adapter (AC1200 worked out of the box).