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Baseus WiFi Dongle Ubuntu 24 Install Guide

Guide 10-31884 · Updated · Step by step

This guide walks you through installing a Baseus WiFi dongle on Ubuntu 24.04. You’ll learn how to identify the chipset, install the correct driver (if needed), and get your wireless connection working. Most Baseus adapters use Realtek or MediaTek chips, and Ubuntu 24.04 includes many drivers out of the box, but some models require manual driver installation.

What You’ll Need

  • A Baseus WiFi dongle (USB or USB-C)
  • Ubuntu 24.04 installed (any flavor)
  • An internet connection (Ethernet, phone tethering, or another WiFi adapter) to download drivers if needed
  • Terminal access (Ctrl+Alt+T)
  • Basic comfort with the command line

Step-by-Step

  1. Plug in the dongle – Insert the Baseus adapter into a USB port. Wait a few seconds for Ubuntu to detect it.
  2. Check if it’s recognized – Open a terminal and run: lsusb. Look for a line containing “Baseus” or the chipset vendor ID (e.g., Realtek, MediaTek). Also run ip link to see if a wireless interface (like wlan0 or wlx...) appeared. If you see one, the driver is already loaded – you can skip to step 7.
  3. Identify the chipset – If the interface doesn’t appear, you need to know the exact chipset. Run lsusb -v | grep -E "idVendor|idProduct" and note the 4-digit vendor and product IDs. Cross-reference these with known Baseus models online (the chipset is often Realtek RTL8811AU, RTL8812AU, RTL8821CU, or MediaTek MT7612U).
  4. Install build tools – If you need to compile a driver, first install the necessary packages: sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y build-essential dkms git.
  5. Install the driver – The method depends on the chipset:
    • Realtek RTL8811AU/RTL8812AU: Use the open-source driver from aircrack-ng. Run: git clone https://github.com/aircrack-ng/rtl8812au.git then cd rtl8812au and sudo make dkms_install. This will compile and install the driver.
    • Realtek RTL8821CU/RTL8811CU: Use the driver from morrownr: git clone https://github.com/morrownr/8821cu-20210916.git then cd 8821cu-20210916 and run sudo ./install-driver.sh.
    • MediaTek MT7612U: Ubuntu 24.04 includes the mt76 driver, but if it’s not working, install the firmware: sudo apt install linux-firmware and reboot.
  6. Reboot – After installing the driver, reboot your system: sudo reboot. This ensures the kernel module loads correctly.
  7. Connect to WiFi – Once rebooted, click the network icon in the top-right corner, select your WiFi network, and enter the password. If you prefer the command line, use nmcli device wifi list to see networks and nmcli device wifi connect "SSID" password "password" to connect.
  8. Verify the connection – Run ip a to confirm the wireless interface has an IP address. Test by pinging a website: ping -c 4 google.com.

Common Mistakes

  • Plugging into a USB 3.0 port but the dongle is USB 2.0 – This usually works fine, but some older dongles may have issues. Try a different port.
  • Not installing build-essential – Compiling drivers fails without gcc and make. Always install them first.
  • Using the wrong driver for the chipset – Installing an RTL8812AU driver for an RTL8821CU chip won’t work. Double-check the chipset.
  • Forgetting to reboot after driver install – The module won’t load until you reboot or manually modprobe it.
  • Secure Boot enabled – If Secure Boot is on, unsigned drivers won’t load. You’ll see an error about “module verification failed”. You may need to disable Secure Boot in BIOS or sign the driver (advanced).

Tips

  • Check for built-in support first – Many Baseus dongles work out of the box on Ubuntu 24.04. Always test before installing anything.
  • Use the 5GHz band when possible – It’s faster and less congested. Make sure your router broadcasts it.
  • Position the dongle well – USB extenders or a USB hub with a cable can improve signal strength.
  • Keep the driver updated – If you cloned a git repo, you can pull updates and reinstall with sudo make dkms_install again.
  • Use DKMS – The drivers installed via DKMS will automatically rebuild when you update the kernel. This is much easier than manual compilation.

Troubleshooting

  • Dongle not detected at all – Try a different USB port. If it’s still not detected, the dongle may be faulty. Check dmesg | tail for any USB errors.
  • Driver installed but no wireless interface – Run sudo modprobe 88XXau (or the relevant module name) to load it manually. If it fails, check dmesg for errors. Also ensure Secure Boot is disabled.
  • WiFi connects but drops frequently – Power management might be interfering. Disable it with: sudo iw dev wlan0 set power_save off. To make it permanent, create a systemd service or add a script to /etc/rc.local.
  • Slow speeds – Ensure you’re connected to 5GHz, not 2.4GHz. Also check for interference from other devices. Try moving the dongle closer to the router.
  • Compilation errors – If make fails, it’s often due to missing kernel headers. Install them with: sudo apt install linux-headers-$(uname -r).
  • After a kernel update, WiFi stops working – If you used DKMS, it should rebuild automatically. If not, reinstall the driver manually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my Baseus dongle work out of the box on Ubuntu 24.04?

Many do, especially newer models with MediaTek chips. Realtek-based ones often need a driver install. Test first; if no WiFi interface appears, follow the steps above.

How do I find out which chipset my Baseus dongle uses?

Run lsusb and note the vendor and product IDs. Then search online for those IDs (e.g., “0bda 1a2b”) to identify the chipset. You can also check the product page or packaging.

Is it safe to install drivers from GitHub?

Yes, for well-known repositories like aircrack-ng and morrownr. They are widely used and open-source. Always check the repository’s popularity and recent commits.

Do I need to disable Secure Boot?

If you get a “module verification failed” error when loading the driver, yes. You can disable Secure Boot in BIOS, or sign the module (advanced). Disabling it is simpler for most users.

Can I use the dongle with a virtual machine?

Yes, but you’ll need to pass the USB device through to the VM. The driver must be installed inside the guest OS, not the host.

What’s the maximum speed I can get?

It depends on the dongle’s specs (e.g., 802.11ac vs 802.11ax) and your router. Check the product specifications. Real-world speeds are typically 50-80% of the theoretical maximum.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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