WiFi does not work: Ubuntu 16.04 on Lenovo Z51 Laptop

Question

I followed the instructions in the top answer here:

My wifi Qualcomm Atheros Device [168c:0041] (rev 20) doesn't show up and work in Ubuntu 14.04.3 on Lenovo flex 3 14

But got:

(Reading database ... 323177 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to unpack backath10k-dkms_2.0_all.deb ...

------------------------------
Deleting module version: 2.0
completely from the DKMS tree.
------------------------------
Done.
Unpacking backath10k-dkms (2.0) over (2.0) ...
Setting up backath10k-dkms (2.0) ...
Loading new backath10k-2.0 DKMS files...
First Installation: checking all kernels...
Building only for 4.4.8-040408-generic
Building for architecture x86_64
Building initial module for 4.4.8-040408-generic
ERROR (dkms apport): kernel package linux-headers-4.4.8-040408-generic is not supported
Error! Bad return status for module build on kernel: 4.4.8-040408-generic (x86_64)
Consult /var/lib/dkms/backath10k/2.0/build/make.log for more information.

I have linked the contents of the make.log in the following pastebin: http://pastebin.com/dnuAvDfE

What should I do?

EDIT: I have run 'sudo dkms remove backath10k/2.0 --all' and I got this esult: http://pastebin.com/UVyiZTLp I am still unable to connect.

EDIT: Solved! See Jeremy's comment below

Solution 1

Ubuntu 16.04 users should not use backports or any dkms package as the 16.04 kernel supports more devices than previous versions. You need to set the skip_otp parameter and install firmware in most cases. The firmware that works is from https://github.com/atondwal/ath10k-firmware.git

Only use this firmware if you have

02:00.0 Network controller [0280]: Qualcomm Atheros Device [168c:0041] (rev 20)
    Subsystem: Lenovo Device [17aa:3545]

echo "options ath10k_core skip_otp=Y" | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/ath10k_core.conf
git clone https://github.com/atondwal/ath10k-firmware.git
sudo cp -r ath10k-firmware/ath10k/ /lib/firmware/
cd /lib/firmware/ath10k/QCA6164
sudo cp -r hw2.1/ /lib/firmware/ath10k/QCA6174/

Solution 2

|| Step Wise Guide to Resolve the Wifi Issue in Lenovo Z51-70 ||

---

1. Download the tar.gz file named Wifi-70 from this link - Wifi70.tar.gz

2. Extract the tar.gz file in your desired location/directory

(eg. /home directory)

tar -xzvf Wifi-70.tar.gz -C /home

3. Go to the folder named - backports-20150731 in Wifi-70 directory through terminal ; Just right click the folder and open in terminal

Then run the following command (We are just trying to compile the code here)

sudo make install

4. Once this is done go to the folder named ath10k-firmware-master in Wifi-70

Then run the following below commands

sudo cp -R ath10k/ /lib/firmware/

sudo bash -c 'echo "options ath10k_core skip_otp=y" > 
/etc/modprobe.d/ath10k.conf'

5. Now reboot the system. After reboot run the following command.

(it will throw error if you run without reboot)

sudo modprobe ath10k_pci

Hope, it will resolve your issue :)

Comments

[chili555]

If you are running kernel version 4.4.8-xx, then the driver is already included. You probably just need the firmware. Please edit your question to add the result of this terminal command: dmesg | grep ath. Welcome to askubuntu.

[Jeremy31]

Please remove that dkms package sudo dkms remove backath10k/2.0 --all Then reboot. You must have missed my note on that answer about 16.04 users

[lynn]

I have done these and I am still unable to connect. I did mistakenly install the backath10k-dkms first though, but after uninstalling and rebooting I still cannot connect. Many thanks for your advices though!

[Jeremy31]

echo "options ath10k_core skip_otp=Y" | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/ath10k_core.conf reboot

[lynn]

This worked! Thank you so much! Can you repost this as an answer so that I can give you one of the green checkmarks?

[Mudit Kapil]

may be chili555 can solve your problem definitely

[Mudit Kapil]

It's a driver manual installation for your card

[chili555]

Additional Drivers only installs Broadcom drivers. It will not be helpful for his Atheros.

[lynn]

This did not work. I did not install the ubuntu-mate-welcome however because it is large and I was unable to install the drivers through the normal method. As Chili555 said this would not help either. Thank you for your response though!!

[lynn]

I got fatal: destination path 'ath10k-firmware' already exists and is not an empty directory. I tried the next steps: bash: cd: ath10k-firmware/QCA6174/hw2.1: No such file or directory :( (I had al I managed to get to an equivalent lookin directory, ath10k-firmware/ath10k/QCA6174/hw3.0, but then got: mv: cannot stat 'firmware-5.bin_SW_RM.1.1.1-00157-QCARMSWPZ-1': No such file or directory

[chili555]

To be sure you are getting the latest files, I suggest you remove your old folder and start again at the git clone step. sudo rm -r ath10k-firmware and then start anew.