Broadcom Wifi Dell Inspiron / Latitude Lubuntu 20.04

[acor]

Hi has anyone got experience with getting wifi running on this type of setup with recent versions of Lubuntu please?

I’ve been installing on a range of laptops and seem to be unable to get wifi working with Dell Inspiron and Latitude. I’ve used the additional drivers on a Macbook and on one Inspiron successfully, but now I think I need a bit of technical support with these as this step hasn’t worked on two of the laptops.

Latitude D530 - Hasn’t Worked
Latitude D430 - Working with Broadcom Driver

Inspiron 1501 - Hasn’t Worked

I’ve been using my wired connection in setup, but they need to be running wireless when in proper use.

The info I have got from the following:

lspci -vvnn | grep -A 9 Network

(Found on ask ubunutu)

Broadcom. BCM4311 DELL 1490

Status: Cap+ 66mhz- UDF- FastB2B- ParErr- DEVSEL=fast >TAbort- SERR- <PERR- INTx-

Thanks

[acor]

The one I have working is BCM4321 Dell Wireless 1500. Also says Kernel driver in use wl.

The ones not working don’t have that line about kernel driver in use.

[leok]

One solution for problems with Broadcom drivers is to use a wired connection and then
enter Software Sources - go to the “Additional drivers” tab and you should then be able to download the proprietary drivers if they are listed there.

[acor]

Thanks for responding, yeah I tried that first, unfortunately whilst both laptops cards appear to be compatible with the broadcom proprietary driver, it hasn’t managed to breathe life into them yet.

[leok]

Have you tried going to the Broadcom support site?

On second thought - sorry I do not think this will help.

[That_Random_Guy]

Can you provide the output text for the following commands:

lsmod

dmesg | grep wl

rfkill list all

[acor]

For the Inspiron 1501

lsmod = https://paste.ubuntu.com/p/JDXMfb3JNX/

dmesg | grep wl = https://paste.ubuntu.com/p/ps7vdDsQ4n/

rfkill list all = blank

Does wl stand for wireless lan ?

Also one little thing might be related or not. The restart button in Additional Drivers doesn’t seem to work whenever changes have been made.

[acor]

So on the Inspiron 1501 I just tried the instructions from the answer to similar question : https://askubuntu.com/questions/331898/wireless-not-working-with-bcm4311-not-attached-to-wlan0

I installed firmware-43-installer , which also required b43-fwcutter using Muon and then restarted the device. Low and behold my wireless networks have appeared. Next to try on the Latitude I think.

[leok]

Good news - let us know the end results!

[acor]

Both working, I had to use the wifi on switch on the Latitude before it kicked in, it’s Fn + F2 on both of them.

So it’s definitely a case of using the firmware-43-installer for these.

I seem to remember having to toggle on/off with the D430 too, but that one has a physical switch next to the power button.

I think there’s some more Dells to test, so will pick them up probably tomorrow and see what new learning opportunities this week brings

[That_Random_Guy]

Awesome! Thank you for sharing your solution! We all have good amounts of knowledge to share.

[acor]

Ha ha. One day I may also understand what it is that I am doing, hopefully at least as I’d like to eventually be able to get my hands dirty in the source.