Broadcom Wifi randomly stops working?

Issues & Assistance Networking Support
1

first of all, i made a post yesterday thinking i resolved this but the issue remains. my wifi will randomly drop and require me too restart the service or reconnect too my wifi. i've attempted too disable the random mac address but the config file i made did not seem to do anything.

i placed it at /etc/NetworkManager/conf.d/wifi_rand_mac.conf with the following inside>> [device]
                wifi.scan-rand-mac-address=no

and restarted my networkmanger several times, and after a few reboots i still have the aforementioned issue. I'm stumped on what to do next.. any tips or help would be much appreciated :slight_smile: here is my inxi

System:
  Kernel: 5.19.11-zen1-1-zen arch: x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 12.2.0
    parameters: BOOT_IMAGE=/@/boot/vmlinuz-linux-zen
    root=UUID=3b256a22-dfc4-4368-b2cd-a07dceb3840a rw rootflags=subvol=@
    splash amd_iommu_on rd.udev.log_priority=3 vt.global_cursor_default=0
    loglevel=3 vfio-pci.ids= 10de:1b80,10de:10f0
  Desktop: sway v: 1.7 info: waybar vt: 1 dm: greetd Distro: Garuda Linux
    base: Arch Linux
Machine:
  Type: Desktop Mobo: ASUSTeK model: PRIME X370-PRO v: Rev X.0x
    serial: <superuser required> UEFI: American Megatrends v: 5220
    date: 09/12/2019
Battery:
  Device-1: hidpp_battery_0 model: Logitech Wireless Gaming Mouse
    serial: <filter> charge: 55% (should be ignored) rechargeable: yes
    status: discharging
CPU:
  Info: model: AMD Ryzen 7 1800X bits: 64 type: MT MCP arch: Zen level: v3
    built: 2017-19 process: GF 14nm family: 0x17 (23) model-id: 1 stepping: 1
    microcode: 0x8001138
  Topology: cpus: 1x cores: 8 tpc: 2 threads: 16 smt: enabled cache:
    L1: 768 KiB desc: d-8x32 KiB; i-8x64 KiB L2: 4 MiB desc: 8x512 KiB
    L3: 16 MiB desc: 2x8 MiB
  Speed (MHz): avg: 3811 high: 3850 min/max: 2200/3850 boost: disabled
    scaling: driver: acpi-cpufreq governor: performance cores: 1: 3850 2: 3850
    3: 3850 4: 3850 5: 3850 6: 3850 7: 3235 8: 3850 9: 3850 10: 3850 11: 3850
    12: 3850 13: 3850 14: 3850 15: 3850 16: 3850 bogomips: 122963
  Flags: avx avx2 ht lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 sse4a ssse3 svm
  Vulnerabilities:
  Type: itlb_multihit status: Not affected
  Type: l1tf status: Not affected
  Type: mds status: Not affected
  Type: meltdown status: Not affected
  Type: mmio_stale_data status: Not affected
  Type: retbleed mitigation: untrained return thunk; SMT vulnerable
  Type: spec_store_bypass mitigation: Speculative Store Bypass disabled via
    prctl
  Type: spectre_v1 mitigation: usercopy/swapgs barriers and __user pointer
    sanitization
  Type: spectre_v2 mitigation: Retpolines, IBPB: conditional, STIBP:
    disabled, RSB filling, PBRSB-eIBRS: Not affected
  Type: srbds status: Not affected
  Type: tsx_async_abort status: Not affected
Graphics:
  Device-1: NVIDIA GP104 [GeForce GTX 1080] driver: nouveau v: kernel
    non-free: 515.xx+ status: current (as of 2022-08) arch: Pascal code: GP10x
    process: TSMC 16nm built: 2016-21 pcie: gen: 1 speed: 2.5 GT/s lanes: 16
    link-max: gen: 3 speed: 8 GT/s ports: active: DP-3,DVI-D-1
    empty: DP-1,DP-2,HDMI-A-1 bus-ID: 0a:00.0 chip-ID: 10de:1b80
    class-ID: 0300
  Display: wayland server: X.org v: 1.21.1.4 with: Xwayland v: 22.1.3
    compositor: sway v: 1.7 driver: gpu: nouveau d-rect: 5360x2520
    display-ID: 1
  Monitor-1: DP-3 pos: primary,top-left model: Acer Z35P serial: <filter>
    built: 2017 res: 3440x1440 hz: 60 dpi: 107 gamma: 1.2 scale: 1
    size: 819x346mm (32.24x13.62") diag: 889mm (35") modes: max: 3440x1440
    min: 640x480
  Monitor-2: DVI-D-1 pos: bottom-r model: ViewSonic VA2246 SERIES
    serial: <filter> built: 2014 res: 1920x1080 hz: 60 dpi: 102 gamma: 1.2
    scale: 1 size: 477x268mm (18.78x10.55") diag: 547mm (21.5") ratio: 16:9
    modes: max: 1920x1080 min: 720x400
  Message: Wayland GBM/EGL data currently not available.
Audio:
  Device-1: NVIDIA GP104 High Definition Audio driver: snd_hda_intel
    v: kernel pcie: bus-ID: 3-1.3:9 gen: 1 chip-ID: 0d8c:0005 class-ID: 0300
    speed: 2.5 GT/s lanes: 16 serial: <filter> link-max: gen: 3 speed: 8 GT/s
    bus-ID: 0a:00.1 chip-ID: 10de:10f0 class-ID: 0403
  Device-2: AMD Family 17h HD Audio vendor: ASUSTeK driver: snd_hda_intel
    v: kernel pcie: gen: 3 speed: 8 GT/s lanes: 16 bus-ID: 0c:00.3
    chip-ID: 1022:1457 class-ID: 0403
  Device-3: C-Media Blue Snowball type: USB
    driver: hid-generic,snd-usb-audio,usbhid
  Sound Server-1: ALSA v: k5.19.11-zen1-1-zen running: yes
  Sound Server-2: sndio v: N/A running: no
  Sound Server-3: PulseAudio v: 16.1 running: no
  Sound Server-4: PipeWire v: 0.3.58 running: yes
Network:
  Device-1: Broadcom BCM4360 802.11ac Wireless Network Adapter
    vendor: ASUSTeK driver: wl v: kernel modules: bcma pcie: gen: 1
    speed: 2.5 GT/s lanes: 1 bus-ID: 06:00.0 chip-ID: 14e4:43a0
    class-ID: 0280
  IF: wlp6s0 state: up mac: <filter>
  Device-2: Intel I211 Gigabit Network vendor: ASUSTeK driver: igb
    v: kernel pcie: gen: 1 speed: 2.5 GT/s lanes: 1 port: e000 bus-ID: 08:00.0
    chip-ID: 8086:1539 class-ID: 0200
  IF: enp8s0 state: down mac: <filter>
Bluetooth:
  Device-1: Broadcom BCM20702A0 Bluetooth 4.0 type: USB driver: btusb v: 0.8
    bus-ID: 3-1.2:8 chip-ID: 0a5c:21e8 class-ID: fe01 serial: <filter>
  Report: bt-adapter ID: hci0 rfk-id: 1 state: up address: <filter>
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 3.64 TiB used: 489.39 GiB (13.1%)
  SMART Message: Required tool smartctl not installed. Check --recommends
  ID-1: /dev/nvme0n1 maj-min: 259:0 vendor: Samsung model: SSD 970 EVO Plus
    1TB size: 931.51 GiB block-size: physical: 512 B logical: 512 B
    speed: 31.6 Gb/s lanes: 4 type: SSD serial: <filter> rev: 2B2QEXM7
    temp: 41.9 C scheme: GPT
  ID-2: /dev/sda maj-min: 8:0 vendor: Samsung model: SSD 850 EVO 1TB
    size: 931.51 GiB block-size: physical: 512 B logical: 512 B speed: 6.0 Gb/s
    type: SSD serial: <filter> rev: 2B6Q scheme: GPT
  ID-3: /dev/sdb maj-min: 8:16 vendor: Seagate model: ST2000LX001-1RG174
    size: 1.82 TiB block-size: physical: 4096 B logical: 512 B speed: 6.0 Gb/s
    type: HDD rpm: 5400 serial: <filter> rev: SDM1 scheme: GPT
Partition:
  ID-1: / raw-size: 914.11 GiB size: 914.11 GiB (100.00%) used: 201.21 GiB
    (22.0%) fs: btrfs dev: /dev/nvme0n1p2 maj-min: 259:2
  ID-2: /boot/efi raw-size: 300 MiB size: 299.4 MiB (99.80%) used: 27.2 MiB
    (9.1%) fs: vfat dev: /dev/nvme0n1p1 maj-min: 259:1
  ID-3: /home raw-size: 914.11 GiB size: 914.11 GiB (100.00%) used: 201.21
    GiB (22.0%) fs: btrfs dev: /dev/nvme0n1p2 maj-min: 259:2
  ID-4: /var/log raw-size: 914.11 GiB size: 914.11 GiB (100.00%) used: 201.21
    GiB (22.0%) fs: btrfs dev: /dev/nvme0n1p2 maj-min: 259:2
  ID-5: /var/tmp raw-size: 914.11 GiB size: 914.11 GiB (100.00%) used: 201.21
    GiB (22.0%) fs: btrfs dev: /dev/nvme0n1p2 maj-min: 259:2
Swap:
  Kernel: swappiness: 133 (default 60) cache-pressure: 100 (default)
  ID-1: swap-1 type: zram size: 15.55 GiB used: 80 MiB (0.5%) priority: 100
    dev: /dev/zram0
  ID-2: swap-2 type: partition size: 17.11 GiB used: 0 KiB (0.0%)
    priority: -2 dev: /dev/nvme0n1p3 maj-min: 259:3
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 26.5 C mobo: N/A gpu: nouveau temp: 34.0 C
  Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A gpu: nouveau fan: 1356
Info:
  Processes: 342 Uptime: 9h 53m wakeups: 12 Memory: 15.55 GiB used: 2.68 GiB
  (17.3%) Init: systemd v: 251 default: graphical tool: systemctl
  Compilers: gcc: 12.2.0 Packages: pm: pacman pkgs: 1396 libs: 401
  tools: pamac,paru Shell: fish v: 3.5.1 default: Bash v: 5.1.16
  running-in: alacritty inxi: 3.3.21
Garuda (2.6.7-1):
  System install date:     2022-09-22
  Last full system update: 2022-09-25
  Is partially upgraded:   No
  Relevant software:       NetworkManager
  Windows dual boot:       Probably (Run as root to verify)
  Snapshots:               Snapper
  Failed units:
2

  1. Have you read NetworkManager - ArchWiki (Regular Wifi disconnects)

  2. What about systemctl status NetworkManager

3

Although related to Apple hw, I think you could try the linked solutions (basically identical, aimed to load the brcmfmac module instead of wl.

3 Likes
4

would the fact i use a wifi card vs motherboard wifi matter? ive nver had this issue with the wl driver but most of that time was on manjaro. does it often have issues on garuda?

5

currently watching the logs with journalctl -f and besides the occasional unexpected input report number for my mouse receiver. everythings going good. specifically i would watch steam drop its download and then nothing would load. i did just watch it successfully do a scan and stay attached. i wonder if it has something to do with a idle timer?

6

run that returned > ● NetworkManager.service - Network Manager

 Loaded: loaded (/usr/lib/systemd/system/NetworkManager.service; enabled; preset: disabled)
 Active: active (running) since Mon 2022-09-26 11:42:10 MDT; 1h 6min ago
   Docs: man:NetworkManager(8)

Main PID: 28242 (NetworkManager)
Tasks: 3 (limit: 19049)
Memory: 7.5M
CPU: 521ms
CGroup: /system.slice/NetworkManager.service
└─28242 /usr/bin/NetworkManager --no-daemon

Sep 26 11:50:43 bolds-Void NetworkManager[28242]: [1664214643.1161] policy: set ‘SpectrumSetup-BC’ (wlp6s0) as default for IPv4 routing and DNS
Sep 26 11:50:43 bolds-Void NetworkManager[28242]: [1664214643.1353] device (wlp6s0): state change: ip-config → ip-check (reason ‘none’, sys-iface-state: 'ma>
Sep 26 11:50:43 bolds-Void NetworkManager[28242]: [1664214643.1366] device (wlp6s0): state change: ip-check → secondaries (reason ‘none’, sys-iface-state: '>
Sep 26 11:50:43 bolds-Void NetworkManager[28242]: [1664214643.1367] device (wlp6s0): state change: secondaries → activated (reason ‘none’, sys-iface-state: >
Sep 26 11:50:43 bolds-Void NetworkManager[28242]: [1664214643.1370] manager: NetworkManager state is now CONNECTED_SITE
Sep 26 11:50:43 bolds-Void NetworkManager[28242]: [1664214643.1373] device (wlp6s0): Activation: successful, device activated.
Sep 26 11:50:43 bolds-Void NetworkManager[28242]: [1664214643.5116] manager: NetworkManager state is now CONNECTED_GLOBAL
Sep 26 11:50:44 bolds-Void NetworkManager[28242]: [1664214644.5059] dhcp6 (wlp6s0): activation: beginning transaction (timeout in 45 seconds)
Sep 26 11:50:44 bolds-Void NetworkManager[28242]: [1664214644.5062] policy: set ‘SpectrumSetup-BC’ (wlp6s0) as default for IPv6 routing and DNS
Sep 26 11:50:44 bolds-Void NetworkManager[28242]: [1664214644.5116] dhcp6 (wlp6s0): state changed new lease, address=2600:6c67:497f:e079::1a53
~
it seems to happen if i leave the machine active but afk, either a scan gets messed up or something im not seeing is happening while im away from the machine

7

i tried unloading WL and using the other one but couldnt get a connection on the card period. should i try and restart the whole machine after probing brcmfmac?

8

On the Arch wiki: Broadcom wireless - ArchWiki

Device works intermittently

In some cases (e.g. using BCM4331 and b43-firmwareAUR), wifi connection works intermittently. One way to fix this is to check if the card is hard-blocked or soft-blocked by kernel, and if it is, unblock it with rfkill.

Also worth a try to install linux-lts and try it with that kernel:

Connection is unstable with some routers

If no other approaches help, install linux-lts, or use a previous driver version.

2 Likes
9

No no, the reboot is not needed.
Proceed as suggested by @leonavis .

10

how would i go about checking this? i do have lts installed so i could swap too that and see if that helps. i did try using the other mentioned driver and i couldnt get a connection established, the card was down. so WL seems to be the working driver, just unstable?

11

rfkill list returns

1: hci0: Bluetooth
Soft blocked: no
Hard blocked: no
4: phy0: Wireless LAN
Soft blocked: no
Hard blocked: no

so i don’t think its blocked?

1 Like
12

It is not. Try with the lts-Kernel.

I had a Realtek-module with similar problems btw. Ended up switching it with an Intel-module. No problems ever since. But you know... not a very good solution. Also you mentioned that it worked with Manjaro, mine didn't work right with Debian, Manjaro, Arch... so with any luck you'll find a better solution. :wink:

1 Like
13

if i rip off my manjaro build it was basically all the same, but on lts, so off too there i go, irc it currently doesnt have wifi so ill probe away and see with my new found knowledge.

LTS booted with wifi, will report back in 15 minutes if that fixed it.

15

after running some errands and coming back it appears im still dropping the connection randomly. came back and everything was hung up and had to reconnect.

16

after switching broadcom-wl-dkms for the non dkms it appears the problem is solved, sat here for 20 minutes watching journals while a game downloaded and saw zero dips or stops. nothing in logs either.. gonna put as solved for now. hopefully i dont make a third post regarding the issue

2 Likes
17

This topic was automatically closed 2 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.