[BUG] Wifi dongle does not work

[P-rth]

Describe the bug

Cannot connect to wifi when using a TP-link wifi dongle over OTG
Bus 001 Device 029: ID 0bda:8179 Realtek Semiconductor Corp. RTL8188EUS 802.11n Wireless Network Adapter

How to reproduce

Steps to reproduce the behavior:

1. Plug in the dongle
2. Open menu > wifi & internet > select ssid, enter password > "Press back"
   the menu freezes for ~ 2 min and then shows error connecting to wifi

Information

• ArchR Version: 20260402
• Hardware Platform: R36s Panel 4 v22

Log file

not of much value as I cant have usb gadget internet (for ssh) and wifi dongle on at the same time

... Version: 20260402 (official)
... Built: Thu Apr  2 20:12:42 UTC 2026

RK3326:~ # journalctl -u iwd -b --no-pager
Apr 03 07:36:48 RK3326 systemd[1]: Starting iwd.service...
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 iwd[1119]: Wireless daemon version 3.9
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 iwd[1119]: Loaded configuration from /etc/iwd/main.conf
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 systemd[1]: Started iwd.service.
Apr 03 07:37:39 RK3326 iwd[1119]: udev interface=gadget ifindex=2
RK3326:~ # cat /etc/iwd/main.conf
# use built-in dhcp client
[General]
EnableNetworkConfiguration=true
ControlPortOverNL80211=false

[Network]
RoutePriorityOffset=200

NameResolvingService=systemd
EnableIPv6=true


[Scan]
MaximumPeriodicScanInterval=30
RK3326:~ # journalctl -u connman -b --no-pager
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 systemd[1]: Starting connman.service...
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: Connection Manager version 1.43
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: Online check mode "one-shot"
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: Online check IPv4 URL "http://ipv4.connman.net/online/status.html"
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: Online check IPv6 URL "http://ipv6.connman.net/online/status.html"
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: Online check interval style "geometric"
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: Online check interval range [1, 12]
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 systemd[1]: Started connman.service.
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: Checking loopback interface settings
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: System hostname is RK3326
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: lo {newlink} index 1 address 00:00:00:00:00:00 mtu 65536
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: lo {newlink} index 1 operstate 0 <UNKNOWN>
Apr 03 07:37:39 RK3326 connmand[1218]: usb0 {create} index 2 type 1 <ETHER>
Apr 03 07:37:39 RK3326 connmand[1218]: usb0 {update} flags 4098 <DOWN>
Apr 03 07:37:39 RK3326 connmand[1218]: usb0 {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 07:37:39 RK3326 connmand[1218]: usb0 {newlink} index 2 operstate 2 <DOWN>
Apr 03 07:37:39 RK3326 connmand[1218]: Adding interface usb0 [ gadget ]
Apr 03 07:37:39 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 07:37:39 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 operstate 2 <DOWN>
Apr 03 07:37:39 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {add} address 169.254.170.2/16 label gadget family 2
Apr 03 07:37:40 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {update} flags 4099 <UP>
Apr 03 07:37:40 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 07:37:40 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 operstate 2 <DOWN>
Apr 03 07:37:40 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {update} flags 69699 <UP,RUNNING,LOWER_UP>
Apr 03 07:37:40 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 07:37:40 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 operstate 6 <UP>
Apr 03 07:37:40 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {RX} 13 packets 1559 bytes
Apr 03 07:37:40 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {TX} 12 packets 3720 bytes
Apr 03 07:37:40 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 07:37:40 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 operstate 6 <UP>
Apr 03 08:01:19 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {RX} 1584 packets 103157 bytes
Apr 03 08:01:19 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {TX} 741 packets 137060 bytes
Apr 03 08:01:19 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {update} flags 4099 <UP>
Apr 03 08:01:19 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 08:01:19 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 operstate 2 <DOWN>
Apr 03 08:01:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {RX} 1584 packets 103157 bytes
Apr 03 08:01:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {TX} 741 packets 137060 bytes
Apr 03 08:01:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {update} flags 69699 <UP,RUNNING,LOWER_UP>
Apr 03 08:01:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 08:01:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 operstate 6 <UP>
Apr 03 08:01:50 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {RX} 1595 packets 104297 bytes
Apr 03 08:01:50 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {TX} 752 packets 139236 bytes
Apr 03 08:01:50 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 08:01:50 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 operstate 6 <UP>
Apr 03 08:01:51 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {RX} 1602 packets 105124 bytes
Apr 03 08:01:51 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {TX} 755 packets 140088 bytes
Apr 03 08:01:51 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 08:01:51 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 operstate 6 <UP>
RK3326:~ # journalctl -b | grep -iE "iwd|connman|wifi|wlan|auth|psk|association"
Apr 03 07:36:48 RK3326 systemd[1]: Starting iwd.service...
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 systemd[1]: Starting connman.service...
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: Connection Manager version 1.43
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: Online check mode "one-shot"
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: Online check IPv4 URL "http://ipv4.connman.net/online/status.html"
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: Online check IPv6 URL "http://ipv6.connman.net/online/status.html"
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: Online check interval style "geometric"
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: Online check interval range [1, 12]
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 iwd[1119]: Wireless daemon version 3.9
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 iwd[1119]: Loaded configuration from /etc/iwd/main.conf
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 systemd[1]: Started connman.service.
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 systemd[1]: Started iwd.service.
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: Checking loopback interface settings
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: System hostname is RK3326
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 dbus-daemon[1118]: [system] Activating via systemd: service name='net.connman.vpn' unit='connman-vpn.service' requested by ':1.7' (uid=0 pid=1218 comm="/usr/sbin/connmand -nr --nodnsproxy --config=/etc/")
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: lo {newlink} index 1 address 00:00:00:00:00:00 mtu 65536
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: lo {newlink} index 1 operstate 0 <UNKNOWN>
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 dbus-daemon[1118]: [system] Activating via systemd: service name='org.freedesktop.hostname1' unit='dbus-org.freedesktop.hostname1.service' requested by ':1.7' (uid=0 pid=1218 comm="/usr/sbin/connmand -nr --nodnsproxy --config=/etc/")
Apr 03 07:36:49 RK3326 systemd[1]: Starting connman-vpn.service...
Apr 03 07:36:50 RK3326 dbus-daemon[1118]: [system] Successfully activated service 'net.connman.vpn'
Apr 03 07:36:50 RK3326 systemd[1]: Started connman-vpn.service.
Apr 03 07:36:50 RK3326 connman-vpnd[1289]: Connection Manager VPN daemon version 1.43
Apr 03 07:36:50 RK3326 connman-vpnd[1289]: lo {newlink} index 1 operstate 0 <UNKNOWN>
Apr 03 07:37:05 RK3326 systemctl[2862]: Environment variable $DEVICE_WIFI not set, ignoring.
Apr 03 07:37:39 RK3326 connman-vpnd[1289]: usb0 {create} index 2 type 1 <ETHER>
Apr 03 07:37:39 RK3326 connman-vpnd[1289]: usb0 {update} flags 4098 <DOWN>
Apr 03 07:37:39 RK3326 connman-vpnd[1289]: usb0 {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 07:37:39 RK3326 connman-vpnd[1289]: usb0 {newlink} index 2 operstate 2 <DOWN>
Apr 03 07:37:39 RK3326 connmand[1218]: usb0 {create} index 2 type 1 <ETHER>
Apr 03 07:37:39 RK3326 connmand[1218]: usb0 {update} flags 4098 <DOWN>
Apr 03 07:37:39 RK3326 connmand[1218]: usb0 {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 07:37:39 RK3326 connmand[1218]: usb0 {newlink} index 2 operstate 2 <DOWN>
Apr 03 07:37:39 RK3326 connmand[1218]: Adding interface usb0 [ gadget ]
Apr 03 07:37:39 RK3326 connman-vpnd[1289]: gadget {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 07:37:39 RK3326 connman-vpnd[1289]: gadget {newlink} index 2 operstate 2 <DOWN>
Apr 03 07:37:39 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 07:37:39 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 operstate 2 <DOWN>
Apr 03 07:37:39 RK3326 iwd[1119]: udev interface=gadget ifindex=2
Apr 03 07:37:39 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {add} address 169.254.170.2/16 label gadget family 2
Apr 03 07:37:40 RK3326 connman-vpnd[1289]: usb0 {update} flags 4099 <UP>
Apr 03 07:37:40 RK3326 connman-vpnd[1289]: gadget {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 07:37:40 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {update} flags 4099 <UP>
Apr 03 07:37:40 RK3326 connman-vpnd[1289]: gadget {newlink} index 2 operstate 2 <DOWN>
Apr 03 07:37:40 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 07:37:40 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 operstate 2 <DOWN>
Apr 03 07:37:40 RK3326 connman-vpnd[1289]: usb0 {update} flags 69699 <UP,RUNNING,LOWER_UP>
Apr 03 07:37:40 RK3326 connman-vpnd[1289]: gadget {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 07:37:40 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {update} flags 69699 <UP,RUNNING,LOWER_UP>
Apr 03 07:37:40 RK3326 connman-vpnd[1289]: gadget {newlink} index 2 operstate 6 <UP>
Apr 03 07:37:40 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 07:37:40 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 operstate 6 <UP>
Apr 03 07:37:40 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {RX} 13 packets 1559 bytes
Apr 03 07:37:40 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {TX} 12 packets 3720 bytes
Apr 03 07:37:40 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 07:37:40 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 operstate 6 <UP>
Apr 03 07:37:40 RK3326 connman-vpnd[1289]: gadget {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 07:37:40 RK3326 connman-vpnd[1289]: gadget {newlink} index 2 operstate 6 <UP>
Apr 03 07:43:03 RK3326 sshd-session[5127]: Connection closed by invalid user hiroku 169.254.170.1 port 44902 [preauth]
Apr 03 07:43:19 RK3326 sshd-session[5220]: Connection closed by invalid user arch 169.254.170.1 port 51142 [preauth]
Apr 03 07:45:23 RK3326 sshd[1304]: Timeout before authentication for connection from 169.254.170.2 to 169.254.170.1, pid = 5300
Apr 03 08:01:19 RK3326 connman-vpnd[1289]: usb0 {update} flags 4099 <UP>
Apr 03 08:01:19 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {RX} 1584 packets 103157 bytes
Apr 03 08:01:19 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {TX} 741 packets 137060 bytes
Apr 03 08:01:19 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {update} flags 4099 <UP>
Apr 03 08:01:19 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 08:01:19 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 operstate 2 <DOWN>
Apr 03 08:01:19 RK3326 connman-vpnd[1289]: gadget {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 08:01:19 RK3326 connman-vpnd[1289]: gadget {newlink} index 2 operstate 2 <DOWN>
Apr 03 08:01:49 RK3326 connman-vpnd[1289]: usb0 {update} flags 69699 <UP,RUNNING,LOWER_UP>
Apr 03 08:01:49 RK3326 connman-vpnd[1289]: gadget {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 08:01:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {RX} 1584 packets 103157 bytes
Apr 03 08:01:49 RK3326 connman-vpnd[1289]: gadget {newlink} index 2 operstate 6 <UP>
Apr 03 08:01:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {TX} 741 packets 137060 bytes
Apr 03 08:01:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {update} flags 69699 <UP,RUNNING,LOWER_UP>
Apr 03 08:01:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 08:01:49 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 operstate 6 <UP>
Apr 03 08:01:50 RK3326 connman-vpnd[1289]: gadget {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 08:01:50 RK3326 connman-vpnd[1289]: gadget {newlink} index 2 operstate 6 <UP>
Apr 03 08:01:50 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {RX} 1595 packets 104297 bytes
Apr 03 08:01:50 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {TX} 752 packets 139236 bytes
Apr 03 08:01:50 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 08:01:50 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 operstate 6 <UP>
Apr 03 08:01:51 RK3326 connman-vpnd[1289]: gadget {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 08:01:51 RK3326 connman-vpnd[1289]: gadget {newlink} index 2 operstate 6 <UP>
Apr 03 08:01:51 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {RX} 1602 packets 105124 bytes
Apr 03 08:01:51 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {TX} 755 packets 140088 bytes
Apr 03 08:01:51 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 08:01:51 RK3326 connmand[1218]: gadget {newlink} index 2 operstate 6 <UP>
RK3326:~ # 


[hiroku@nixos:~/projects/Software/r36s]$ ssh root@169.254.170.2
root@169.254.170.2's password: 
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║                                                    ║
║     █████╗ ██████╗  ██████╗██╗  ██╗    ██████╗     ║
║    ██╔══██╗██╔══██╗██╔════╝██║  ██║    ██╔══██╗    ║
║    ███████║██████╔╝██║     ███████║    ██████╔╝    ║
║    ██╔══██║██╔══██╗██║     ██╔══██║    ██╔══██╗    ║
║    ██║  ██║██║  ██║╚██████╗██║  ██║    ██║  ██║    ║
║    ╚═╝  ╚═╝╚═╝  ╚═╝ ╚═════╝╚═╝  ╚═╝    ╚═╝  ╚═╝    ║
║                                                    ║
║       Arch Linux Gaming Distribution for R36S      ║
║                                                    ║
╚════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝


... Version: 20260402 (official)
... Built: Thu Apr  2 20:12:42 UTC 2026

RK3326:~ # journalctl -u iwd -b --no-pager
Apr 03 08:20:36 RK3326 systemd[1]: Starting iwd.service...
Apr 03 08:20:37 RK3326 iwd[1118]: Wireless daemon version 3.9
Apr 03 08:20:37 RK3326 iwd[1118]: Loaded configuration from /etc/iwd/main.conf
Apr 03 08:20:37 RK3326 systemd[1]: Started iwd.service.
Apr 03 08:22:05 RK3326 iwd[1118]: udev interface=gadget ifindex=2
RK3326:~ # journalctl -u connman -b --no-pager
Apr 03 08:20:37 RK3326 systemd[1]: Starting connman.service...
Apr 03 08:20:37 RK3326 systemd[1]: Started connman.service.
Apr 03 08:20:37 RK3326 connmand[1200]: Connection Manager version 1.43
Apr 03 08:20:37 RK3326 connmand[1200]: Online check mode "one-shot"
Apr 03 08:20:37 RK3326 connmand[1200]: Online check IPv4 URL "http://ipv4.connman.net/online/status.html"
Apr 03 08:20:37 RK3326 connmand[1200]: Online check IPv6 URL "http://ipv6.connman.net/online/status.html"
Apr 03 08:20:37 RK3326 connmand[1200]: Online check interval style "geometric"
Apr 03 08:20:37 RK3326 connmand[1200]: Online check interval range [1, 12]
Apr 03 08:20:37 RK3326 connmand[1200]: Checking loopback interface settings
Apr 03 08:20:37 RK3326 connmand[1200]: System hostname is RK3326
Apr 03 08:20:37 RK3326 connmand[1200]: lo {newlink} index 1 address 00:00:00:00:00:00 mtu 65536
Apr 03 08:20:37 RK3326 connmand[1200]: lo {newlink} index 1 operstate 0 <UNKNOWN>
Apr 03 08:22:05 RK3326 connmand[1200]: usb0 {create} index 2 type 1 <ETHER>
Apr 03 08:22:05 RK3326 connmand[1200]: usb0 {update} flags 4098 <DOWN>
Apr 03 08:22:05 RK3326 connmand[1200]: usb0 {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 08:22:05 RK3326 connmand[1200]: usb0 {newlink} index 2 operstate 2 <DOWN>
Apr 03 08:22:05 RK3326 connmand[1200]: Adding interface usb0 [ gadget ]
Apr 03 08:22:05 RK3326 connmand[1200]: gadget {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 08:22:05 RK3326 connmand[1200]: gadget {newlink} index 2 operstate 2 <DOWN>
Apr 03 08:22:05 RK3326 connmand[1200]: gadget {add} address 169.254.170.2/16 label gadget family 2
Apr 03 08:22:05 RK3326 connmand[1200]: gadget {update} flags 4099 <UP>
Apr 03 08:22:05 RK3326 connmand[1200]: gadget {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 08:22:05 RK3326 connmand[1200]: gadget {newlink} index 2 operstate 2 <DOWN>
Apr 03 08:22:05 RK3326 connmand[1200]: gadget {update} flags 69699 <UP,RUNNING,LOWER_UP>
Apr 03 08:22:05 RK3326 connmand[1200]: gadget {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 08:22:05 RK3326 connmand[1200]: gadget {newlink} index 2 operstate 6 <UP>
Apr 03 08:22:06 RK3326 connmand[1200]: gadget {RX} 11 packets 1423 bytes
Apr 03 08:22:06 RK3326 connmand[1200]: gadget {TX} 12 packets 3204 bytes
Apr 03 08:22:06 RK3326 connmand[1200]: gadget {newlink} index 2 address 82:BA:1C:92:78:B1 mtu 1500
Apr 03 08:22:06 RK3326 connmand[1200]: gadget {newlink} index 2 operstate 6 <UP>
RK3326:~ # 

Context

the same dongle works perfectly on dArkOSRE_R36_trixie_03082026

[dgateles]

Thanks for the detailed report. The issue is identified and fixed.

Root cause: The USB port on R36S is a single OTG port shared between gadget mode (file transfer/MTP) and host mode (USB devices like WiFi dongles). On boot, ArchR activates gadget mode for MTP file transfer. When you plug in a WiFi dongle via an OTG adapter, the USB controller is still in gadget/device mode and cannot detect the dongle.

Fix (next build): The usbgadget trigger script now detects when an OTG adapter is connected (via extcon USB-HOST state) and automatically switches from gadget mode to host mode. This allows the WiFi dongle to be detected without manual intervention.

Workaround for current build: Before plugging in the WiFi dongle, go to EmulationStation > System Settings > USB Gadget Function and set it to disabled. Then plug in the OTG adapter with the WiFi dongle. The system should detect the adapter and allow you to connect to WiFi.

The fix will be included in the next image build.

[P-rth]

I don't think this is the issue, as the wifi SSID's are getting detected, the issue is while connecting to wifi.

trying the workaround also does not work.

furthermore I even edited the usb gadget script with your latest changes in the commit 2 hrs ago that also does not seem to fix it

[P-rth]

may be a driver issue?

[dgateles]

@P-rth Thanks for the follow-up and testing. You're right - this is not an OTG/host mode issue since SSIDs are being detected.

Root cause identified: The issue is IWD (wireless daemon) compatibility with the RTL8188EUS chipset (rtl8xxxu driver). IWD has known issues completing the WPA2 4-way handshake on many Realtek USB WiFi adapters. The scan works (SSIDs appear), but authentication fails - which matches your symptoms exactly.

Additionally, we found a build bug where IWD 3.10 was not actually being compiled (wrong SHA256 was pulling version 3.9).

Fixes applied for next build:

1. IWD config updated with Realtek USB compatibility settings:
   • UseDefaultInterface=true - prevents IWD from managing the interface lifecycle (lets the kernel driver handle it)
   • AddressRandomization=disabled - disables MAC randomization which rtl8xxxu doesn't support properly
   • ControlPortOverNL80211=false was already set
2. IWD updated to actual 3.10 (was incorrectly building 3.9 due to wrong checksum)

This explains why darkOS works with the same dongle - it likely uses wpa_supplicant instead of IWD, which has broader driver compatibility.

If these IWD fixes don't resolve it in the next build, we'll evaluate adding wpa_supplicant as a fallback for Realtek USB chipsets.

[P-rth]

Ive added connections to the serial port in my device, so I can get better logs for testing now

[DynaMight1124]

Hi

Just to jump in and say I have the same issue, same chipset and symptoms. I tried on RC3 and the same. Hopefully it can be fixed in the next build, very keen to give this a proper try (kinda want wifi first for PortMaster etc)

Thanks

[dgateles]

Quick follow up. After your last comment confirming SSIDs scan but auth fails, I went back to the rtl8xxxu source for our 6.12 kernel and found that the RTL8188EU firmware upload was using a 128 byte block size, which the chip's bootrom does not actually accept reliably. Upstream Linux fixed this in late 2024 (commit changing writeN_block_size from 128 to 196 to match the official Realtek driver), but the patch never landed in our 6.12.79 tree.

I have pulled the patch into projects/ArchR/packages/linux/patches/6.12-LTS/0050-wifi-rtl8xxxu-Fix-RTL8188EU-firmware-upload-block-size.patch. With the firmware actually uploading correctly the WPA2 4 way handshake should complete instead of timing out the way you described.

This will be in the next image build. If it still fails after that I will look at packaging an out of tree aircrack-ng rtl8188eus driver as a fallback (which is what most distros do for this chipset), but the firmware fix is the simplest thing to try first and worth doing regardless.

[DynaMight1124]

Thats awesome, I'll try the next build when its ready, thanks for looking into it.

[Ninte86hl]

The same auth fails error happens in latest build

[DynaMight1124]

Yes sadly, same here too. Can scan for SSID's but wont connect/auth.