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Asked: 2024-09-25T11:07:06+05:30 In:

What steps can I take if I’m encountering compatibility issues with the Broadcom network interface card driver on Ubuntu 22.04 and the current kernel versions?

I’ve been having this frustrating experience with my Ubuntu 22.04 setup, especially when it comes to the Broadcom network interface card (NIC) driver. So, here’s the deal: I recently updated my kernel, and now my Wi-Fi has decided to go on strike. No connectivity at all! At first, I thought it was a temporary glitch, but after restarting and fiddling with the network settings, it seems like it’s a compatibility issue between the Broadcom driver and the latest kernel version.

I’ve already tried reinstalling the driver using the terminal, and I’ve also looked through the drivers available in the “Additional Drivers” section, but nothing seems to work. The weird thing is that I had everything running perfectly before the kernel update. I even read through some forums, and it seems like others are facing similar issues, but the fixes suggested there either didn’t apply to my situation or just didn’t work.

So, I’m kind of at a loss here. I’ve seen some talk about using the command line to blacklist certain modules or installing a specific version of the Broadcom driver that may align better with the new kernel, but it sounds pretty complicated, and I’m worried about making the situation worse. Plus, I don’t want to mess with anything that could lead to losing my network altogether.

If anyone has gone through this and found a solution or a series of steps that helped restore functionality to their Broadcom NIC, I would really appreciate the advice. What should I be doing first? Should I be rolling back the kernel or focusing on tweaking the driver? How do I even check which driver version I’m currently using? Any tips, commands, or troubleshooting steps would be hugely appreciated. It would be great to get back to my usual Internet-surfing routine without having to pull my hair out over this thing!

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    2 Answers


    1. If your Broadcom NIC is rendering your Wi-Fi unusable after a kernel update, there are several methods you can try to restore connectivity. First, check which driver is currently in use by executing the command lspci -k | grep -A 3 -i network in your terminal. This will display the kernel module currently handling the network device. If the driver is showing as b43 or a similar Broadcom module, you may want to consider switching to the wl driver instead, as it often offers better compatibility with new kernels. To do this, you can install the driver with sudo apt install bcmwl-kernel-source. After installation, reboot your machine and check if Wi-Fi functionality is restored.

      If you are still experiencing issues, it may be beneficial to blacklist the conflicting drivers that were automatically loaded. You can do so by editing the blacklist configuration file using sudo nano /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf and adding lines such as blacklist b43 and blacklist ssb. Save the changes and update the initramfs with sudo update-initramfs -u. Afterward, reboot your Ubuntu system. If none of these work, a fallback option would be to consider rolling back the kernel to a previous version that functioned well with your NIC. This can be done from the GRUB menu during system boot. Finally, make sure to check various online forums or the Ubuntu documentation for community-provided patches that may directly address the issue with your specific Broadcom card.


    2. “`html

      Fixing Broadcom NIC Issues on Ubuntu 22.04

      It sounds like you’re having a tough time with your Broadcom Wi-Fi after the kernel update. Let’s see if we can help you out!

      First Steps to Troubleshoot:

      1. Check Your Driver:
        Open a terminal and run:

        lspci -nnk | grep -iA3 net

        This will show you which driver is currently being used for your Broadcom NIC.

      2. Reinstall the Driver:
        Sometimes a clean reinstall helps. You can run:

        sudo apt update
        sudo apt install --reinstall bcmwl-kernel-source

        This will reinstall the Broadcom driver.

      3. Blacklist Conflicting Modules:
        If the driver is still not working, you might need to blacklist some conflicting drivers.
        Open the blacklist configuration:

        sudo nano /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf

        Add the following lines at the end:

        blacklist b43
blacklist bcma
blacklist wl

        Then save and exit (Ctrl + X to exit, then Y to confirm).

      4. Reboot:
        After making changes, reboot your machine:

        sudo reboot

      Last Resort Options:

      If things are still not working after trying the steps above, you might want to consider:

      • Rolling back to an earlier kernel version. You can choose an older kernel from the GRUB menu during boot-up.
      • Searching for the specific driver version that corresponds with your current kernel. Sometimes, installing the right version can do the trick.

      Helpful Commands:

      If you want to check which kernel version you’re currently on, use:

      uname -r

      To list installed kernels, run:

      dpkg --list | grep linux-image

      And to see more details about available drivers, check:

      ubuntu-drivers devices

      Hopefully, one of these tips will help you get your Wi-Fi back up and running. Stay patient, and don’t hesitate to reach out to the community for more specific advice if needed!

      “`

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