How to Install RTL8812BU USB WiFi Dongle on Linux

by Alan Pfahler on January 31, 2020

NOTE: Install USB Wi-Fi Adapters(RTL8812BU chipset) on GUN/Linux, a few known wireless cards that use this driver include:

Fastoe AC1200 USB Wi-Fi Adapter

Installing the Driver(RTL8812BU Chipset) on Your System:

Open a terminal window. Copy & paste the following into the terminal window and hit Return. You may be prompted to enter your password.

# Ubuntu/Mint/Kali (tested)

sudo apt update
sudo apt -y install dkms git bc
git clone https://github.com/fastoe/RTL8812BU.git
cd RTL8812BU
VER=$(sed -n 's/\PACKAGE_VERSION="\(.*\)"/\1/p' dkms.conf)
sudo rsync -rvhP ./ /usr/src/rtl88x2bu-${VER}
sudo dkms add -m rtl88x2bu -v ${VER}
sudo dkms build -m rtl88x2bu -v ${VER}
sudo dkms install -m rtl88x2bu -v ${VER}
sudo modprobe 88x2bu
sudo reboot

# openSUSE Leap 15.1/Debian 10 (tested)

sudo apt update
sudo apt -y install dkms git bc
git clone https://github.com/fastoe/RTL8812BU.git
cd RTL8812BU
VER=$(sed -n 's/\PACKAGE_VERSION="\(.*\)"/\1/p' dkms.conf)
sudo rsync -rvhP ./ /usr/src/rtl88x2bu-${VER}
sudo dkms add -m rtl88x2bu -v ${VER}
sudo dkms build -m rtl88x2bu -v ${VER}
sudo dkms install -m rtl88x2bu -v ${VER}
sudo modprobe 88x2bu
sudo reboot

# For setting monitor mode

# configure for monitor mode
sed -i 's/CONFIG_80211W = n/CONFIG_80211W = y/' Makefile
sed -i 's/CONFIG_WIFI_MONITOR = n/CONFIG_WIFI_MONITOR = y/' Makefile

make
sudo make install
sudo ifconfig wlx1cbfcea97791 down
sudo iwconfig wlx1cbfcea97791 mode monitor
sudo ifconfig wlx1cbfcea97791 up

# Raspbian (Raspberry Pi OS)

Currently tested with Linux RaspberryPi 5.4.51-v7l+/4.19.118-v7+/4.19.97-v7+ on:

Raspberry Pi 4 B
Raspberry Pi Zero W
Raspberry Pi 3 B+
Raspberry Pi 2 B

For Raspberry Pi OS 5.10 kernel, please clone the v5.6.1 branch:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y bc git dkms build-essential raspberrypi-kernel-headers
git clone -b v5.6.1 https://github.com/fastoe/RTL8812BU_for_Raspbian
cd RTL8812BU_for_Raspbian
make
sudo make install
sudo reboot

For Raspberry Pi OS 5.4 kernel:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y bc git dkms build-essential raspberrypi-kernel-headers
git clone https://github.com/fastoe/RTL8812BU_for_Raspbian
cd RTL8812BU_for_Raspbian
make
sudo make install
sudo reboot

If fails to compile like /lib/modules/5.x.x-v7+/build: No such file or directory. Stop:

pi@raspberrypi:~/RTL8812BU_for_Raspbian $ make
make ARCH=arm CROSS_COMPILE= -C /lib/modules/5.4.51-v7+/build M=/home/pi/RTL8812BU_for_Raspbian  modules
make[1]: *** /lib/modules/5.4.51-v7+/build: No such file or directory.  Stop.
make: *** [Makefile:2284: modules] Error 2

please run the rpi-source command to install the kernel headers for kernel:

sudo apt install -y bc git flex bison libssl-dev
sudo wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/RPi-Distro/rpi-source/master/rpi-source -O /usr/local/bin/rpi-source && sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/rpi-source && /usr/local/bin/rpi-source -q --tag-update
rpi-source

then, re-make again.

Known Issues

Below are a few known bugs,

Always required autenthication without connect on 5GHz band
Short disconnects every few seconds on 5GHz band

the above problems are caused by power saving. First, make sure that the power supply of your Raspberry Pi can provide 3A current, then we can disable the 8812bu WiFi adapter power saving.

sudo modprobe -r 88x2bu
sudo modprobe 88x2bu rtw_power_mgnt=0 rtw_ips_mode=0 rtw_enusbss=0
sudo echo "options 88x2bu rtw_power_mgnt=0 rtw_ips_mode=0 rtw_enusbss=0" | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/88x2bu.conf

When the current is around 100mA, it never disconnects.