The TP-Link TXE70UH is a high-performance WiFi 6 adapter that offers blazing-fast speeds and improved connectivity. However, like many modern WiFi adapters, it requires specific drivers to function properly on Linux-based systems such as Debian or Ubuntu. If you’re struggling to get this adapter working on your system, don’t worry—this step-by-step guide will walk you through the entire process, from driver installation to configuration.

By the end of this tutorial, your TP-Link TXE70UH will be up and running, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of WiFi 6 on your Linux machine. Let’s dive in!

Step 1: Check if the Adapter is Recognized

Before installing any drivers, it’s important to verify that your system detects the TP-Link TXE70UH adapter. Here’s how to do it:

1. Plug in the Adapter: Insert the TP-Link TXE70UH into an available USB port on your computer.
2. Open a Terminal: Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open a terminal window.
3. Run the lsusb Command: Type the following command and press Enter:
   lsusb
4. Look for the Adapter: In the output, search for an entry similar to this:
   Bus 001 Device 004: ID 35bc:0102 Realtek 802.11ax WLAN Adapter
   This indicates that your system recognizes the adapter but doesn’t have the necessary drivers installed.

If you don’t see the adapter listed, try unplugging and re-plugging it or testing it on another USB port.

Step 2: Clone and Prepare the Driver Source

The TP-Link TXE70UH uses a Realtek chipset, and the required drivers are available in a GitHub repository. Here’s how to get the driver source code:

1. Install Git: If you don’t already have Git installed, run:
   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install git
2. Clone the Driver Repository: Use the following command to download the driver source code:
   git clone https://github.com/lwfinger/rtw8852cu
3. Navigate to the Driver Directory: Move into the newly cloned directory:
   cd rtw8852cu

Step 3: Configure the Driver

Before compiling the driver, you’ll need to make a few configuration changes to ensure it works correctly with your TP-Link TXE70UH adapter.

1. Edit the Makefile:

• Open the Makefile in a text editor (e.g., vi or nano):
  vi Makefile
• Locate the line that specifies the country code:
  #CONFIG_RTW_COUNTRY_CODE = XX
• Uncomment and modify it to match your region. For example, if you’re in the United States, change it to:
  CONFIG_RTW_COUNTRY_CODE = US

1. Update the USB Device List:

• Open the usb_intf.c file:
  vi os_dep/linux/usb_intf.c
• Add the following lines in the appropriate section to ensure the driver recognizes your adapter:
  {USB_DEVICE_AND_INTERFACE_INFO(0x35b2, 0x0502, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff), .driver_info = RTL8852C}, /* TP-Link AXE5400(RTW8832CU) / {USB_DEVICE_AND_INTERFACE_INFO(0x35bc, 0x0102, 0xff, 0xff, 0xff), .driver_info = RTL8852C}, / TP-Link AXE5400(RTW8852CU) */

Step 4: Compile the Driver

Now that the driver is configured, it’s time to compile it. Follow these steps:

1. Install Build Tools: Ensure you have the necessary tools installed:
   sudo apt install build-essential dkms linux-headers-$(uname -r)
2. Compile the Driver: Run the following command to compile the driver:
   make

Step 5: Install the Driver

With the driver compiled, you can now install it on your system:

1. Create the Driver Directory:
   sudo mkdir -p /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/
2. Copy the Driver:
   sudo cp 8852cu.ko /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/
3. Set Permissions:
   sudo chmod 644 /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/8852cu.ko
4. Update Module Dependencies:
   sudo depmod -a
5. Load the Driver:
   sudo insmod /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/kernel/drivers/net/wireless/8852cu.ko

Step 6: Verify the Installation

To ensure the driver is installed and working correctly:

1. Check if the Driver is Loaded:
   lsmod | grep 8852cu
   If the driver is loaded, you’ll see an entry for 8852cu.
2. Reboot Your System:
   sudo reboot
   This ensures the driver is properly initialized.

Conclusion

After following these steps, your TP-Link TXE70UH WiFi adapter should be fully operational on your Debian or Ubuntu system. You can now connect to WiFi networks using tools like iwconfig or nmcli.

This guide provides a comprehensive solution for installing the TP-Link TXE70UH on Linux, ensuring you can take full advantage of WiFi 6 speeds. If you encounter any issues, feel free to leave a comment below.