Beginner Help With TP-Link TL-WN725N (R8188EU) USB Dongle

OpenWRTUser7 · May 12, 2024, 12:26am

Hi all,

I bought a Raspberry Pi 4B 1 GB last week to use as a OpenWRT router. I installed everything and it is working with the built in wifi receiving internet connection from another router and a ethernet connection going from the OpenWRT Rpi router and giving internet connection to a desktop computer.

I have a TP-Link TL-WN725N (R8188EU) USB Dongle that I want to use instead of the ethernet cable. So it would be built in wifi receiving the connection and the USB dongle sending out a connection.

The problem is I can't get USB dongle to work when I plug it in (it doesn't light up (green light)). I have the following packages installed:

Package name	Version	Size (.ipk)	Description
rtl8188eu-firmware	20230804-1	~10.92 KiB	RealTek RTL8188EU firmware	Remove…
rtl8192ce-firmware	20230804-1	~20.97 KiB	RealTek RTL8192CE firmware	Remove…
rtl8192cu-firmware	20230804-1	~19.02 KiB	RealTek RTL8192CU firmware	Remove…
rtl8192de-firmware	20230804-1	~13.93 KiB	RealTek RTL8192DE firmware	Remove…
kmod-rtl8192c-common	5.15.150+6.1.24-3	~19.35 KiB	Realtek RTL8192CE/RTL8192CU common support module	Remove…
kmod-rtl8192ce	5.15.150+6.1.24-3	~24.04 KiB	Realtek RTL8192CE/RTL8188CE support	Remove…
kmod-rtl8192cu	5.15.150+6.1.24-3	~25.99 KiB	Realtek RTL8192CU/RTL8188CU support	Remove…
kmod-rtl8192de	5.15.150+6.1.24-3	~44.95 KiB	Realtek RTL8192DE/RTL8188DE support	Remove…
kmod-rtl8xxxu	5.15.150+6.1.24-3	~43.87 KiB	This is an alternative driver for various Realtek RTL8XXX…	Remove…
kmod-rtlwifi	5.15.150+6.1.24-3	~35.92 KiB	Realtek common driver part	Remove…
kmod-rtlwifi-pci	5.15.150+6.1.24-3	~14.10 KiB	Realtek common driver part (PCI support)	Remove…
kmod-rtlwifi-usb	5.15.150+6.1.24-3	~8.20 KiB	Realtek common driver part (USB support)	Remove…
kmod-r8169	5.15.150-1	~36.89 KiB	Kernel modules for RealTek RTL-8169 PCI Gigabit Ethernet adapters	Remove…
r8152-firmware	20230804-1	~11.37 KiB	RealTek RTL8152 firmware	Remove…
r8169-firmware	20230804-1	~23.93 KiB	RealTek RTL8169 firmware	Remove…

Looking for some advice to get this USB dongle up and running. Thanks.

brada4 · May 12, 2024, 5:17am

Install usbutils and show lsusb output.

slh · May 12, 2024, 7:47am

Presumably kmod-rtl8xxxu && rtl8188eu-firmware.

OpenWRTUser7 · May 12, 2024, 10:47am

Hi,

I installed usbutils and here is the output for the lsusb command:

root@OpenWrt:~# lsusb
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 0bda:8179 Realtek 802.11n NIC
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux 5.15.150 xhci-hcd xHCI Host Controller
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 2109:3431  USB2.0 Hub
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux 5.15.150 xhci-hcd xHCI Host Controller

OpenWRTUser7 · May 12, 2024, 10:49am

Yes I assumed those are the two main ones I needed from reading older posts but I installed a whole bunch of other similar packages just in case but its not blinking the green light that it normally does when working properly.

frollic · May 12, 2024, 1:28pm

Define this...
Does it lit up when idling inserted into an USB port, or when used....

anon68224415 · May 12, 2024, 2:32pm

Realtek sucks
It's better to buy an adapter with the chipset on this list:

github.com

morrownr/USB-WiFi/blob/main/home/USB_WiFi_Adapters_that_are_supported_with_Linux_in-kernel_drivers.md

## USB WiFi adapters that are supported with Linux `in-kernel` drivers

USB WiFi adapters that are supported with `in-kernel` drivers are plug-and-play with most desktop distros. Additional work may be required for server distros as the maintainers of server distros seem to think that there are ethernet cables everywhere a user may choose to locate a server. Linux `in-kernel` drivers are preferable over `out-of-kernel` drivers for most users and use cases as problems with locating, installing and maintaining drivers are dramatically reduced allowing for a better experience.

Note: All USB WiFi adapters listed here are single-state (no Windows driver inside), single-function (no Bluetooth support) and use in-kernel drivers (Plug and Play). Buying adapters that meet this criteria greatly increases the probability of a satisfying experience that should last for many years.

-----

Recent changes:

- 2024-03-24 - added EDUP EP-AX1672 (AXE3000) to mt7921au chipset section. 
- 2024-03-24 - added PIX-LINK LV-UAC04 (AC1200) to mt7612u chipset section.
- 2024-03-07 - checked and updated adapter links and prices.
- 2024-01-31 - added new category for adapters based on the new mt7925 chipset (WiFi 7)
- 2024-01-13 - added generic Realtek rtl8812bu adapter (AC1200) to rtl8812bu chipset section.
- 2023-10-17 - added kernel information to BrosTrend AC3L entry.
- 2023-09-21 - added Fenvi FU-AX1800 (AXE3000) to mt7921au chipset section. 
- 2023-07-05 - added ALFA AWUS036AXM (AXE3000) to mt7921au chipset section.
- 2023-05-18 - added ALLNET ALL-WA1200AC (AC1200) to mt7612u chipset section.
- 2023-05-17 - updated ALFA AWUS036ACU (AC1200) to rtl8812bu chipset section.

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fakemanhk · May 12, 2024, 2:57pm

github.com/openwrt/openwrt

Realtek RTL8188EUS 802.11n Wireless USBNetwork Adapter cannot work

opened 03:28AM - 30 Aug 23 UTC

closed 07:39PM - 25 Nov 23 UTC

arduino2018

bug

### Describe the bug Realtek RTL8188EUS 802.11n Wireless USBNetwork Adapter c…annot work ### OpenWrt version r20134-5f15225c1e ### OpenWrt target/subtarget sunxi/cortexa8 ### Device LinkSprite pcDuino v2 ### Image kind Official downloaded image ### Steps to reproduce root@OpenWrt:~# opkg list-installed | grep rtl kmod-rtl8192c-common - 5.10.176+5.15.92-1-1 kmod-rtl8192cu - 5.10.176+5.15.92-1-1 kmod-rtl8xxxu - 5.10.176+5.15.92-1-1 kmod-rtlwifi - 5.10.176+5.15.92-1-1 kmod-rtlwifi-usb - 5.10.176+5.15.92-1-1 rtl8188eu-firmware - 20230804-1 rtl8192cu-firmware - 20230804-1 root@OpenWrt:~# lsusb Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux 5.10.176 ehci_hcd EHCI Host Controller Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux 5.10.176 ohci_hcd Generic Platform OHCI controller Bus 001 Device 002: ID 0bda:8179 Realtek 802.11n NIC Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux 5.10.176 ehci_hcd EHCI Host Controller Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux 5.10.176 ohci_hcd Generic Platform OHCI controller root@OpenWrt:~# lsusb -t /: Bus 04.Port 1: Dev 1, Class=root_hub, Driver=ohci-platform/1p, 12M /: Bus 03.Port 1: Dev 1, Class=root_hub, Driver=ohci-platform/1p, 12M /: Bus 02.Port 1: Dev 1, Class=root_hub, Driver=ehci-platform/1p, 480M /: Bus 01.Port 1: Dev 1, Class=root_hub, Driver=ehci-platform/1p, 480M |__ Port 1: Dev 2, If 0, Class=, Driver=, 480M root@OpenWrt:~# cat /sys/kernel/debug/usb/devices ...... T: Bus=01 Lev=01 Prnt=01 Port=00 Cnt=01 Dev#= 2 Spd=480 MxCh= 0 D: Ver= 2.00 Cls=00(>ifc ) Sub=00 Prot=00 MxPS=64 #Cfgs= 1 P: Vendor=0bda ProdID=8179 Rev= 0.00 S: Manufacturer=Realtek S: Product=802.11n NIC S: SerialNumber=00E04C0001 C:* #Ifs= 1 Cfg#= 1 Atr=a0 MxPwr=500mA I:* If#= 0 Alt= 0 #EPs= 3 Cls=ff(vend.) Sub=ff Prot=ff Driver=(none) E: Ad=81(I) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 512 Ivl=0ms E: Ad=02(O) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 512 Ivl=0ms E: Ad=03(O) Atr=02(Bulk) MxPS= 512 Ivl=0ms ...... iw list show nothing ### Actual behaviour _No response_ ### Expected behaviour _No response_ ### Additional info _No response_ ### Diffconfig _No response_ ### Terms - [X] I am reporting an issue for OpenWrt, not an unsupported fork.

frollic · May 12, 2024, 3:08pm

Nice find, seems it should work if @OpenWRTUser7 installed a snapshot.

OpenWRTUser7 · May 12, 2024, 10:24pm

Good question. Maybe it is just idling. I am new to OpenWRT and have only gotten the ethernet port working (which was easy). Maybe I have to add a interface for the wifi adapter which I tried and could not get working.

I used this USB adapter on Debian 12 and it was just plug and play. For Debian 11 I had to install the required firmware to get it to work.

What are the proper steps to adding a USB wifi in the Luci GUI? I probably just did it wrong.

brada4 · May 13, 2024, 12:14am

Run ethtool -i wlan0 on debian and install same driver on openwrt.

OpenWRTUser7 · May 13, 2024, 12:28am

Ok ran that command and here is the output:

root@OpenWrt:~# opkg install ethtool
Installing ethtool (6.3-1) to root...
Downloading https://downloads.openwrt.org/releases/23.05.3/packages/aarch64_cortex-a72/base/ethtool_6.3-1_aarch64_cortex-a72.ipk
Configuring ethtool.
root@OpenWrt:~# ethtool -i wlan0
Cannot get driver information: No such device

brada4 · May 13, 2024, 5:14am

USB adapter on Debian 12

Determine driver used therr

frollic · May 13, 2024, 6:10am

you should start taking in the info you're given ...

OpenWRTUser7 · May 13, 2024, 2:03pm

The driver is r8188eu.

administrator@debian11:/home/protected$ lsusb -t
/:  Bus 02.Port 1: Dev 1, Class=root_hub, Driver=ehci-pci/2p, 480M
    |__ Port 1: Dev 2, If 0, Class=Hub, Driver=hub/8p, 480M
        |__ Port 7: Dev 7, If 0, Class=Vendor Specific Class, Driver=r8188eu, 480M

dnd · May 13, 2024, 2:08pm

Try snapshot maybe, like it was suggested?

Also see:
https://github.com/openwrt/openwrt/issues/13377#issuecomment-1826406080

OpenWRTUser7 · May 13, 2024, 2:15pm

Hi, I did see that post and looked through the link but I never heard of snapshot and it looks complex. Was just trying to answer the easier questions first.

What is a snapshot and what is it supposed to do?

dnd · May 13, 2024, 2:23pm

Snapshot builds are for the next version being developed right now.
There is some explanation:
https://openwrt.org/faq/difference_between_a_release_and_a_trunk_build

You can get a build from the firmware selector:
https://firmware-selector.openwrt.org/?version=SNAPSHOT&target=bcm27xx%2Fbcm2711&id=rpi-4

frollic · May 13, 2024, 2:28pm

then stay on openwrt 23, and keep not using your USB wifi dongle.

please let us know when you've installed a snapshot, and are still having issues.

until then, have fun flogging the dead horse.

OpenWRTUser7 · May 13, 2024, 2:39pm

Ok thanks for that information basically I just have to install the test version of OpenWRT which should have support for my wifi dongle. Ok I will try this out when I have some free time later today and report back.