Fix: Ubuntu 20.04 & Intel AX210 Wi-Fi 6E Issues

Aug 28, 2025 by Lucas 48 views

Experiencing Wi-Fi issues after updating your Ubuntu 20.04 LTS system, especially with the Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX210? You're not alone! Many users have reported that their Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX210 adapter stops working after a system update. The common fix of renaming or removing the .pnvm file, which previously resolved similar problems, no longer seems effective. This article dives deep into this recurring issue and offers a comprehensive guide to troubleshoot and resolve it. We'll explore various potential causes, from driver incompatibilities to firmware glitches, and provide step-by-step solutions to get your Wi-Fi back up and running. If you're struggling with this frustrating problem, stick around – we've got you covered!

Understanding the Problem

Before we jump into solutions, let's break down the problem. The Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX210 is a cutting-edge wireless adapter, offering blazing-fast speeds and the latest Wi-Fi 6E technology. However, like any new hardware, it requires compatible drivers and firmware to function correctly. When you update your Ubuntu system, the kernel and associated drivers are updated as well. Sometimes, these updates can introduce incompatibilities, causing the AX210 adapter to malfunction. The older fix of renaming or removing the .pnvm file used to work because it forced the system to reload the Wi-Fi firmware. However, recent updates seem to have bypassed this workaround, indicating a deeper issue at play.

Several factors can contribute to this problem:

Driver Incompatibility: The updated kernel might have a driver version that doesn't fully support the AX210 or has introduced a bug. This is the most common cause.
Firmware Issues: The Wi-Fi adapter's firmware itself might be outdated or corrupted. A firmware update might be necessary.
Kernel Module Problems: The kernel module responsible for the AX210 might not be loading correctly or might be conflicting with other modules.
Power Management: Aggressive power management settings might be interfering with the adapter's operation.

It's crucial to identify the root cause to apply the appropriate solution. Let’s explore some methods to diagnose and fix this issue.

Initial Troubleshooting Steps

Before diving into more complex solutions, let's try some basic troubleshooting steps. These often resolve common issues and can help narrow down the problem.

Reboot Your System: This might sound obvious, but a simple reboot can often resolve temporary glitches and reload drivers correctly. It's always the first thing you should try.
Check Wi-Fi is Enabled: Ensure that Wi-Fi is enabled in your network settings. Sometimes, updates can disable the Wi-Fi adapter.
Airplane Mode: Make sure Airplane Mode is turned off. This might seem silly, but it's an easy thing to overlook.
Check for Hardware Issues: Rarely, there might be a hardware problem with the AX210 adapter itself. If you have another computer, try installing the adapter there to see if the issue persists. This will help determine if it’s a hardware problem or a software/driver issue.
Network Manager: Sometimes the Network Manager can cause issues. Restarting the Network Manager service might help:
```
sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager
```
Check dmesg Output: The dmesg command displays kernel messages, which can provide valuable clues about what's going wrong. After a reboot, run:
```
dmesg | grep iwl
```
This command filters the output for messages related to the iwlwifi driver, which is the driver for Intel Wi-Fi adapters. Look for any error messages or warnings.

If these basic steps don't resolve the issue, it's time to move on to more advanced solutions.

Advanced Solutions

If the initial troubleshooting steps didn't fix your Intel AX210 Wi-Fi problem, don’t worry! We have more options to explore. The following solutions delve deeper into driver management, firmware updates, and kernel module adjustments.

1. Updating the `iwlwifi` Driver

The most common cause of Wi-Fi issues after an update is an incompatible or buggy driver. The iwlwifi driver is the open-source driver for Intel wireless adapters, and it's often the culprit. Let's try updating it.

Identifying the Current Driver Version: First, you need to know which iwlwifi driver version you're currently using. You can find this information using the modinfo command:
```
modinfo iwlwifi | grep version
```
This command will display the version of the iwlwifi module loaded in your kernel.
Checking for Updates: Ubuntu's package manager, apt, usually handles driver updates. Let's check for any available updates:
```
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
```
This will update all packages on your system, including the iwlwifi driver if a newer version is available. After the upgrade, reboot your system.
Using a Newer Kernel (Optional): Sometimes, the iwlwifi driver in the default Ubuntu kernel might not be the latest version. If you're still experiencing issues, you might consider installing a newer kernel. Tools like the Ubuntu Mainline Kernel Installer can help with this process, but be cautious, as newer kernels might have their own stability issues. You can download it and install using these commands:
```
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:cappelikan/ppa
sudo apt update
sudo apt install mainline
```
Manual Driver Installation (Advanced): If the standard updates don't resolve the problem, you can try manually installing a specific iwlwifi driver version. This is an advanced step and should be done with caution. Download the driver source code from the Intel website, compile it, and install it. Ensure you follow the instructions carefully, as incorrect installation can lead to system instability.

Important: Always back up your system before attempting manual driver installation. It's also a good idea to create a system restore point so you can revert changes if something goes wrong.

2. Updating Wi-Fi Firmware

The Intel AX210 adapter relies on firmware, which is software embedded in the hardware itself. Outdated or corrupted firmware can cause connectivity problems. Let's try updating the firmware.

Identifying the Current Firmware Version: You can check the firmware version using the dmesg command again:
```
dmesg | grep iwlwifi | grep 
```