For those using the Broadcom STA wireless driver

[Ayuthia]

If you have to keep enabling the driver each time you boot into Ubuntu, please add the following (in the Terminal):

echo wl|sudo tee -a /etc/modules

For those who have an ethernet card that uses the b44 driver, please add the following (also from the Terminal):

echo -e '#ssb workaround, added `date`\ninstall wl modprobe -r b43 b44 b43legacy ssb ndiswrapper; modprobe --ignore-install wl $CMDLINE_OPTS; modprobe ssb; modprobe b44;' | sudo tee -a /etc/modprobe.d/wl

[vimota]

Now, what exactly does this do? I have a problem with my Broadcom STA wireless driver, which shows up as enabled and all, but does not pick up any networks (which there absolutely is) and even manually configuring to a network does not work. Will this solve my problem? Thanks!

[Henery]

This worked for me been looking all day thank you! I could not find the answer till I found your post c&p your command line in terminal reboot and wifi works on boot up!

[E1or0]

Vimota, I had the same issue you were having, I was able to see my wireless network just fine right after I follow Ayuthia's Advise... I hope you were able to fix it... Have a good day everybody

[chobes68]

YOU ROCK!!!! Just installed Ubuntu on an Acer laptop, and for once I didn't have video card issues, but the wireless wasn't supported. Don't know how it works, and what exactly I was typing in, but I typed it in exactly as Ayuthia instructed, and I'm on the web!!



THANK YOU

[t0mppa]

To give a brief explanation of what the commands do, so no one needs to worry about running unknown commands: the first command adds wl (module for the STA driver) to the /etc/modules file, which means it will get automatically loaded during boots.

The second one is a workaround for the ssb module, used by the b44 wired driver and b43 wireless driver. It tends to hog the wireless, if b44 is used and even if b43 isn't. That disallows the wl from getting associated with the wireless interface and leads to wireless not working. It simply unloads the other driver modules, then loads up the wl, when the wireless interface is unclaimed and thus gets associated with the wl and then loads the b44 & ssb back, so the wired interface stays usable as well.

[manaruli]

I had the similar problem and it seems that Ayuthia's advice really helped.

Thanks!

[jhereg2u]

Had the same problem (couldn't see the wireless network) with a new install of Jaunty on an Inspiron 1720. Tried the above fix, rebooted and it worked!!...Thanks!

[villejer]

Also worked for me! Dell Inspiron 1440, BCM4315. this fix is perfectly short and helpful! thanks

[cyclopse]

Sorry it didn't work for me on the Dell Mini 9 with the Broadcom driver. Still no wireless option on clicking the icon.