[Help] RTL8822BU USB Wi-Fi adapter not detected on Kali Linux (VirtualBox VM)

sfcsfc · May 19, 2025, 10:09am

First of all, I’d like to say that I’m a beginner.

I’m running Kali Linux inside a VirtualBox VM (version 6.1.25-amd64).

I have a USB Wi-Fi adapter, and it’s detected when I run the lsusb command. It shows:
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 0bda:b832 Realtek Semiconductor Corp. 802.11ac WLAN Adapter.
According to ChatGPT, this corresponds to a Realtek RTL8822BU chipset.

The issue is that I don’t see any Wi-Fi interface like wlan0 when I check with ip a or iw dev.
I only see lo and eth0.

I’ve checked several forums and YouTube videos, and also got help from ChatGPT, but nothing has worked so far — I still can’t get the interface to show up.

Apparently, this chipset isn’t supported natively, so I tried installing the morrownr/88x2bu driver from GitHub. Unfortunately, that didn’t solve the problem.

Then I read that using an older Linux kernel might help, so I switched to version 6.1.138 and reinstalled the morrownr/88x2bu driver — but still no luck.

Maybe I missed a step during installation, or maybe it’s not the right driver — I honestly don’t know.

I’m hoping someone who has faced the same issue can help me out!

P.S.: On my Windows 10 host, the adapter works perfectly and detects Wi-Fi networks.

Thanks in advance!

serval · May 19, 2025, 2:31pm

Realtek is well known to offer garbage linux support

Fred · May 20, 2025, 1:23am

You need to install drivers, sounds like you’ve done that bit, you also need to install firmware for the device to function, and even then, you will typically have to ‘switch on and enable’ the device.

In morrownr site, check out the details on enable wifi devices, some good info there.

sml156 · May 23, 2025, 2:20am

You should read all the git hub issues to get a clue why some package is not working, I found a link there to the newer drivers for my RTL8812CU

github.com/morrownr/8812au-20210820

Project: Add 8812au rtw88 in-kernel driver. Need testers...

opened 07:37PM - 23 Jun 24 UTC

morrownr

Greetings to anyone that reads this message. This Issue is where we coordinat…e and take bug reports for the new 8812au in-kernel driver. An effort is underway to add support for the rtl8812au chipset to the rtw88 in-kernel driver series. The driver is available for testing at the following repo: https://github.com/lwfinger/rtw88 Remember to first remove the out-of-kernel driver in this repo or whatever repo you may have installed. You can run the following to remove it if using this repo: $ sudo sh remove-driver.sh It is important to follow the instructions in the README at the repo with the new test driver. You may not be familiar with rtw88 in the kernel but even if you are, there are some necessary mods that you need to know about. The rtw88 that has this new driver is more advanced than the rtw88 in stable kernels as it follows wireless-next and is used to work on and develop new drivers. We welcome you to test and report on this new driver. Your testing will help us get this new driver in the Linux kernel sooner and in better shape. If you are aware of anyone who is familiar with mac80211 drivers, please invite them as more eyes on the code is a good thing. Your ideas are most welcome. We can do this. @morrownr Status report: - USB 3 support. Please test with USB 3 ports and USB 2 ports. Even USB 1.x if you have them. Reports go in this issue.

Try this repo I think all rtl88xx drivers can be found, Not sure but I think it’s the same guy morrow and he moved and updated everything.

Your device seems to be supported

sfcsfc · May 23, 2025, 6:50am

Actually my key is a Realtek RTL8832BU. I’ve only found one driver that works with this key, it’s the rtl8852bu-20240418.
Link: GitHub - morrownr/rtl8852bu-20240418: Linux Driver for USB WiFi Adapters that are based on the RTL8832BU and RTL8852BU Chipsets - v1.19.14-127 - 20240418

Thanks just the same!

Even if this key is incompatible with monitor mode.