How to Fix: Wi-Fi Not Working After Arch Linux Installation (2025 Guide)

One of the most common issues after installing Arch Linux "" especially on laptops "" is that Wi-Fi doesn't work after your first boot. Don't worry "" this is easy to fix once you understand what's missing.

This guide covers everything you need to get your Wi-Fi working again, including:

• Enabling NetworkManager
• Installing wireless drivers and firmware
• Diagnosing adapter issues
• Setting up Wi-Fi manually

Let's get started.

Step 1: Check if NetworkManager Is Installed

Arch doesn't install everything automatically "" you must ensure NetworkManager is present.

Run:

sudo pacman -Syu networkmanager

If it says "up to date," good. Otherwise, it will install it.

Now enable it to start at boot:

sudo systemctl enable NetworkManager
sudo systemctl start NetworkManager

Check its status:

systemctl status NetworkManager

If you see active (running) "" your service is fine.

Step 2: Detect Your Wireless Adapter

Let's confirm your system can detect your Wi-Fi card.

Run:

lspci | grep -i network

or, for USB adapters:

lsusb

You'll see something like:

Network controller: Intel Corporation Wireless 8265 / 8275

If you see no output, your system isn't detecting your adapter →’ skip to Step 5 (drivers).

Step 3: Check Wi-Fi Interface Availability

Now, verify your wireless interface:

ip link

You should see something like wlan0 or wlp2s0.

If you see it but Wi-Fi still doesn't show up in the menu: Your driver is loaded, but NetworkManager may need a restart:

sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager

If the interface doesn't appear, go to Step 5.

Step 4: Connect to Wi-Fi via Terminal (Temporary Fix)

If you have no GUI yet, use nmcli (command-line tool for NetworkManager):

List available Wi-Fi networks:

nmcli dev wifi list

Connect:

nmcli dev wifi connect "Your_WiFi_Name" password "YourPassword"

If successful, you'll see:

Device 'wlan0' successfully activated with UUID ...

To test connectivity:

ping -c 4 archlinux.org

If you get responses "" you're online ✅

Step 5: Install Missing Wi-Fi Drivers

Most laptops need proprietary drivers or firmware.

Run this to install the most common packages:

sudo pacman -S linux-firmware

Then reboot:

sudo reboot

Still not working? Identify your card and install the proper driver.

Intel Wi-Fi:

sudo pacman -S iwd
sudo systemctl enable iwd
sudo systemctl start iwd

Broadcom (common on Dell/HP):

sudo pacman -S broadcom-wl-dkms
sudo modprobe wl

Realtek (USB adapters, budget laptops):

sudo pacman -S rtl88xxau-dkms

(You may need the base-devel package to build DKMS drivers)

AUR Alternative:

If you have no Ethernet, connect your phone via USB tethering, then:

git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/yay.git
cd yay
makepkg -si
yay -S rtl8821ce-dkms

Step 6: Verify Kernel Module Is Loaded

After installing drivers, check:

sudo lshw -C network

or

sudo dmesg | grep wlan

If you see your adapter initialized, it means the driver is loaded successfully.

Step 7: Enable Wi-Fi Auto-Connection

To make sure Wi-Fi reconnects automatically on boot:

nmcli connection modify "Your_WiFi_Name" connection.autoconnect yes

Step 8: Install a GUI Network Tool (Optional)

If you're using a desktop environment like KDE, GNOME, or XFCE, make sure you have the network applet installed:

KDE Plasma:

sudo pacman -S plasma-nm

XFCE:

sudo pacman -S network-manager-applet

GNOME:

Already included with gnome-control-centre.

Reboot and check your Wi-Fi icon "" it should show available networks.

Step 9: Common Issues & Fixes

Step 10: Advanced Debugging

If still broken, run:

dmesg | grep wifi

and check errors like:

firmware: failed to load iwlwifi-7265D-29.ucode

Then manually install the missing firmware via:

sudo pacman -S linux-firmware

or download it from https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/firmware/linux-firmware.git

Quick Summary

• ✅ Ensure NetworkManager is installed and enabled
• ✅ Install linux-firmware and the right Wi-Fi driver
• ✅ Use nmcli or GUI to connect
• ✅ Reboot "" your Wi-Fi should now work permanently

Bonus Tip

Once connected, update your system to ensure you always have the latest driver patches:

sudo pacman -Syu

Conclusion

Fixing Wi-Fi on Arch Linux may seem intimidating, but once you understand the system services, it becomes simple.

Arch gives you full control "" meaning you manage everything, including drivers. Once set up, your Wi-Fi will work smoothly across reboots.

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