[Debian-uk] Recent kernels and Atheros AR9271 wifi adapters

[Andrew M.A. Cater]

On Mon, Oct 19, 2026 at 03:56:44PM +0100, Daniel Hatton wrote:
> 
> I have a couple of USB wifi dongles based on the Atheros AR9271 chipset.  It
> looks like they work fine under Linux-libre kernel version 6.18.55 (from the
> freesh .deb repository), but reproducibly fail to connect (and sometimes
> fail even to show up in lsusb) under Linux-libre kernel versions 6.18.56 and
> 6.18.57 (from the same source).  There is some reference in the changelog
> for 6.18.56 to something relevant to that chipset having changed, but I
> don't really understand the details.  What would be a good way to proceed,
> please?
> 
> -- 
> 

Hi Dan,

Can I suggest you possibly take this up with the linux-libre folk?

Debian kernels may offer you non-free firmware: the kernel version you
are quoting is in advance of the Debian kernel in Trixie, the current
Debian stable release.

Since the linux-libre folks deliberately don't want non-free firmware,
I'd suggest you ask them how to square this one.

If you're running a Debian kernel, this list may be better able to 
help, but that might require you to compromise on loading firmware.

All the very best to you, as ever, however it works out for you.

Andrew Cater
(amacater at debian.org)



> Kind regards,
> 
> Dan Hatton
> 
> 
> Dr. Daniel C. Hatton
> 
> 
> E-mail
> dan.hatton at btinternet.com
> (PGP public key available at <https://keys.openpgp.org>)
> 
> 
> Delta Chat
> OPENPGP4FPR:3345649E9BF3FD3ADDC3C5E588C6126C190AF86B#a=ut53bnr5t%40nine.testrun.org&n=Dan+Hatton
> 
> Signal
> dch.28
> 
> Threema
> 5UAVHC96
> 
> Matrix
> @only_ohm:quassel.io
> 




> _______________________________________________
> Debian-uk maillist  -  Debian-uk at chiark.greenend.org.uk
> https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/debian-uk