Wi-Fi connectivity issues with RTL8852BE on Linux
I recently bought a laptop that came with an RTL8852BE network controller. After installing Debian, I faced an issue with the wireless connection: it wouldn't disconnect or show any errors, but traffic would stop moving. So I went online, looking for a solution.
Fix
The results were a little confusing, as people mentioned:
- Missing driver in older kernels
- Crashing driver
The kernel in Trixie is fresh enough, and dmesg didn't reveal any crashes. Nevertheless, the driver's page mentions some issues with HP and Lenovo laptops, so I followed this suggestion and added these options for the driver:
options rtw89_pci disable_aspm_l1=y disable_aspm_l1ss=y
options rtw89pci disable_aspm_l1=y disable_aspm_l1ss=y
options rtw89_core disable_ps_mode=y
options rtw89core disable_ps_mode=y
Now the connection is stable.
Lenovo support
On GitHub, it says that the problem is caused by "their BIOS that does not handle the PCIe interface correctly", so perhaps a BIOS update now or in the future might fix the issue. But I'm yet to test that because Lenovo only offers a Windows executable file for BIOS updates, and their chatbot has a working memory of a cadaver.
And here's more!
Me: Can I talk to a human via email?
Lena: It seems you would like to speak with an agent. To assist you more effectively, could you please provide additional details about your issue?
Me: I cannot update the BIOS on an IdeaPad Slim 5 15ARP10. The update file is only for Windows, there is no iso file to flash a USB drive and install it manually via the BIOS itself.
Lena: To update the BIOS on your IdeaPad Slim 5 15ARP10, follow these steps:
Deactivate Antivirus Software: Ensure any running antivirus or security software is disabled to prevent interference during the update process.
Download the BIOS Update: Download the BIOS update file from the Lenovo support website.
Extract and Run the Update: Extract the downloaded file and run the executable file. Detailed instructions should be available in the read-me file included with the update.
Restart Your Computer: After running the update, restart your computer to complete the BIOS update process.
Unfortunately, there isn't an ISO file available for manual flashing via USB for this model. The recommended method is to update the BIOS from within Windows.
For further assistance, you can visit the Lenovo support page here.
Me: Give me an email to contact a real human.
Lena: It looks like you want to speak with an agent. To help you more effectively, could you please provide more details about your issue?
Oh well, at least I don't have to manually reconnect every 15 minutes anymore.