GNU/Linux Mint Installing Atheros Wireless Driver Guide
Hi! This tutorial will guide you step-by-step on How to Install Qualcomm Atheros Wireless PCIe/SDIO/USB Adapters Driver in Mint 18.x/19.x/20.x/21.x/22.x LTS GNU/Linux Desktops.
Most of Atheros equipped Devices should currently supported by the following Kernel Modules:
-
PCIe/SDIO
- ath5k (Since September 2008, Kernel 2.6.27)
- ath6k_sdio (Since Jannuary 2012, Kernel 3.2)
- ath9k (Since September 2008, Kernel 2.6.27)
- ath10k (Since August 2013, Kernel 3.11)
- wil6210 (Since Febbraury 2013, Kernel 3.8)
- ath11k (Since March 2020, Kernel 5.6)
- ath12k (Since May 2023, Kernel 6.3) USB
- ath6k_usb (Since Jannuary 2012, Kernel 3.2)
- ath9k_htc (Since September 2008, Kernel 2.6.27)
- ath10k_usb (Since August 2013, Kernel 3.11. But still not fully working)
- ar5523 (Since Febbraury 2013, Kernel 3.8)
- carl9170 (Since April 2009, Kernel 2.6.29)
- zd1201 (Since July 2005, Kernel 2.6.12)
- zd1211rw (Since October 2006, Kernel 2.6.18) (For more insight about the Supported Devices you may see the Linked Kernel Online Documentation.)
Especially relevant, if you are Unsure about your Wifi Device Chipset then see: How to Get Wireless Adapter Info on GNU/Linux.
Atheros Wireless Driver Linux Mint Setup Guide
So most of the Atheros Wireless Adapters should Works Out-of-Box on Mint.
But for the ath11k Supported Devices is Required a Kernel 5.6+ and may be Updated Firmware!
Then to Setup the Updated or Latest available Release you may see:
Last, in case of Issue with the latest Devices you may see: How to Update Linux Firmware!