A self-contained, DKMS-based Linux driver package for USB Wi-Fi adapters built on the AICSemi AIC8800D80 chipset. Ships the kernel driver source and the matching firmware as one set, so the radio actually works (not just enumerates).
DKMS means the driver automatically rebuilds after every kernel update — install once, forget about it.
| Adapter | USB ID (Wi-Fi mode) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| UGREEN AX900 (CM770) | 368b:8d88 |
Verified on kernel 7.0.0 / Ubuntu |
| Tenda U11 / AX913B | 368b:8d8X |
Upstream-tested |
| AIC8800D80 "Pandora" clones | 1111:1111 → a69c:8d80 |
Handled via usb_modeswitch |
git clone git@github.com:kilam994/aic8800d80-linux-driver.git aic8800d80-linux-driver
cd aic8800d80-linux-driver
sudo ./install.shThen plug in the adapter (or reboot if it was already plugged in) and connect:
nmcli device wifi list
nmcli device wifi connect "Your-SSID" password "your-password"That's it. For a fully automated/unattended run use sudo ./install.sh --yes.
- Removes conflicting installs. Vendor
.debdrivers (e.g. the bundledax900-wifi-adapter-linux-driver), stale/usr/src/AIC8800, old non-DKMS modules, and any previous DKMS registration. This is the single most important step — see Troubleshooting. - Installs build dependencies —
dkms, kernel headers, build tools,usb-modeswitch. - Installs the matched firmware to
/lib/firmware/aic8800*plus theudevrules andusb_modeswitchconfig that flip the adapter out of its "virtual CD" mode into Wi-Fi mode. - Builds & installs the module via DKMS (
aic8800/1.0.0). - Loads the module and verifies the interface comes up and can scan.
A full log is written to /tmp/aic8800d80_install.log.
- A Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora/RHEL, Arch, or openSUSE system (the installer auto-detects the package manager).
- Matching kernel headers installed (the installer pulls them automatically).
- Secure Boot disabled, or a MOK signing key enrolled — unsigned DKMS modules are refused by the kernel otherwise. The installer detects Secure Boot and warns you.
Without a regulatory domain the radio may be limited (no 5 GHz, restricted scanning).
Set and persist your country (replace SA with your ISO country code):
sudo iw reg set SA
echo 'options cfg80211 ieee80211_regdom=SA' | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/cfg80211.confsudo ./uninstall.shRemoves the module, DKMS registration, source tree, firmware, and rules. Build
dependencies (dkms, headers) are left in place.
This is almost always a driver/firmware mismatch — a different driver build is loading
firmware blobs it wasn't paired with. Symptoms: nmcli device wifi list is empty even
though networks are nearby, and iw dev <iface> scan returns nothing.
Fix: make sure no other AIC8800 driver is present, then reinstall from this repo:
# remove any vendor .deb driver first
sudo dpkg --purge --force-all ax900-wifi-adapter-linux-driver 2>/dev/null
sudo rm -rf /lib/firmware/aic8800* # the installer also does this
sudo ./install.shThe driver and firmware in this repo are a matched set — don't mix them with firmware from another package.
The chip downloads firmware on a cold USB enumeration. After installing, the cleanest reset is to physically unplug/replug the adapter, or reboot. Check progress with:
lsusb | grep -i aic # 368b:8d88 = Wi-Fi mode; a69c:5724 = still in CD/storage mode
ip link show # look for a wl* interface
sudo dmesg | grep -i aic # firmware upload + interface creationIt hasn't switched into Wi-Fi mode. The udev rule ejects the virtual CD and the
usb_modeswitch config handles the 1111:1111 clones — both are installed by the script.
Replug the adapter; if it still won't switch, ensure usb-modeswitch is installed.
Usually missing/mismatched kernel headers. Confirm they match your running kernel:
uname -r
ls /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/buildInstall the matching linux-headers-$(uname -r) and re-run. Build details are in
/var/lib/dkms/aic8800/1.0.0/build/make.log.
If Secure Boot is enabled, either disable it in BIOS/UEFI or sign the module with a MOK key.
Verify with mokutil --sb-state.
.
├── install.sh # DKMS installer (run this)
├── uninstall.sh # clean removal
├── diagnostic_build.sh # optional: diagnose build failures
├── dkms.conf # DKMS module definition
├── aic.rules # udev rules (eject virtual CD, mode switch)
├── usb_modeswitch/ # usb_modeswitch config for 1111:1111 clones
├── drivers/aic8800/ # kernel driver source (aic8800_fdrv + aic_load_fw)
└── fw/ # firmware for all AIC8800 variants (D80, D80N, DC, ...)
This packaging is built around the AIC8800D80 Linux driver maintained by shenmintao/aic8800d80, which in turn derives from AICSemi's reference / Tenda U11 driver source. All driver and firmware code belongs to its respective authors and is redistributed under their original terms.
This repository adds an audited, conflict-aware installer, an uninstaller, and consolidated documentation. It is provided as-is, with no warranty.