Install Realtek RTL8821cu Driver on Linux Mint 22 – Step by step

GNU/Linux Mint 22 Realtek RTL8821cu Driver Setup – Step-by-step Guide

How to Install Realtek RTL8821cu Wireless Driver on Mint 22.x Wilma/Xia LTS GNU/Linux.

Especially pertinent to consider, as a Simpler Alternative, you should initially attempt with the PPA rtl8821CU Driver Setup.

And this Realtek RTL8821cu Driver Mint Setup should be working also after a Kernel Upgrade with the Dkms integration.

Please be aware of how this Driver is Not supporting all the Linux Kernels range, so in case of issue consult the available Online Documentation.

So as a possible Solution, then you may also see: How to Install New Kernel Guide.

Again, in case of Issue for preventing any possible Driver loading Interference you should also take into account: How to Blacklist Kernel Modules.

1. 1. Launching Terminal

   Open a Terminal Shell Emulator Window:
   (Press “Enter” to Execute Commands).

   
   In case first see: Terminal QuickStart Guide.
   

2. 2. Installing Dependencies

   Then to Install Required Stuff Simply play:

   sudo apt install linux-headers-generic build-essential git dkms unzip

3. 3. Downloading Realtek RTL8821cu Driver

   Download Realtek Driver on Mint GNU/Linux

   Get Realtek Wi-fi Driver on Linux Mint

   Driver Realtek RTL8821cu Source for Linux Mint
   If you are using Firefox then on Prompt Choose “Open with Archive Manager”:
   
   Or After try to Select the Package by the Downloads Button on Top Panel:
   
   Instead, on Google-Chrome simply try to Choose the Package on the Bottom Panel:
   
   How to Install Chrome Browser on Linux Mint

4. 4. Extracting Realtek RTL8821cu Driver

   Skip in case of Git Checkout.
   And then Extract Driver Archive into /tmp
   Possibly Double-Click/Right-Click on Package and Open with Archive Manager: Or from Command Line:

   unzip -d /tmp/ ~/Downloads/*master.zip

   (But if you are in Trouble to Find the Location on Terminal then See: How to Access Downloads Folder from Browser.)

5. 5. Installing Realtek RTL8821cu Driver

   Especially relevant: for the Setup of the Morrownr variant, follow the instructions given by the Developer on GitHub!
   Then to Install Wi-fi Driver for Linux Mint Access the Target folder, in case of a Git Checkout modifies the Path accordingly:

   cd /tmp/*master

   Or whatever else the Git Archive location.
   And then to Setup it play:

   sudo ./dkms-install.sh

   Last, in case of Troubles with Dkms you may Try with an Ordinary “make” “sudo make install” Setup.
   Finally, to Check the Dkms Installation:

   sudo dkms status

6. 6. Loading Realtek RTL8821cu Driver

   Now to Load Realtek Driver into Linux Mint’s Kernel
   Simply Reboot with:

   sudo reboot

   Then in Case of Issue with a USB Adapter.
   First, try to find your usb-wifi-adapter Device ID, like “0bda:1a2b”, by:

   lsusb

   switch the mode by type: (the device ID must be yours.) Need install usb_modeswitch!
   

   sudo usb_modeswitch -KW -v 0bda -p 1a2b

   Finally, for starting Bluetooth service if it’s in inactive

   sudo systemctl start bluetooth.service

   It should work.
   Thanks to brektrou!
So Now I’m truly Happy if My Guide could Help you to Install Realtek RTL8821cu Driver on Linux Mint!