Wifi for Alfa Network Alfa USB Adapter AWUS036AXML

What have you tried:
I have installed Kali on Windows 11 pro machine and virtual box. Installed windows drivers for Alfa adapter and all working (had to disable the onboard wifi adapter). Wirehshark works and recognises adapter. I have downloaded all of the latest windows adapters and according to website drivers for Kali should be in distro. I have done sudo apt update and upgrade.

What is the error:
Within Kali VM, I have tried the following
lsusb - no wifi adapter found
ifconfig - no wifi adapter found
wifite - no adapter found
Wireshark - seen as eth0
sparrow-wifi - does not work
web browser - works

I have not tried airman-ng yet.

What device is this on:

Alfa Network Alfa USB Adapter AWUS036AXML

Any suggestions re next steps would be appreciated.

BOOMEL

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I have the same issue. I am not seeing the alfa adapter at all. Any breakthroughs?

same here! I’m looking for a fix too.

I just got tplink ac600 and i knew it used to support in kali

The command " lsusb " is not working for me ,whenever i type it there us no result

First, have you configured your virtual machine software to automatically ‘pass through’ the USB adapter to the virtual machine when plugged in?

Otherwise it will instead be ‘captured’ by windows (the host machine), and then won’t be available to the virtual machine, hence you only seeing the virtual ethernet connection for kali.

You may have to also set windows to not automatically mount a USB device to help prevent this behaviour, but I haven’t used windows in a while to test this.

Check virtual box settings first, set USB to version 2 usually (version 3 should also work, but can sometimes be problematic in a VM)

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Hello!
I had the same problem with Kali Linux 2024.4 and Alfa Network Alfa USB Adapter AWUS036AXML.
The machine did not recognize the AWUS036AXML.
After a lot of reading and trying I think I found a solution for me.
I just installed Kali Linux 2024.1 and the problem was solved.
I did not do any updates or upgrades. Just a clean install of Kali Linux 2024.1.
I hope this helps you!
Regards!

Unfortunately some of the drivers require older kernel versions to work.

It’s realtek, so not surprised. Should be able to install the drivers though.

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I recently bought the AWUS036AXML and spent hours trying to get it working on Kali Linux 2024.4, but no luck. According to this GitHub page (link):

2023-02-01 - added ALFA AWUS036AXML (AXE3000) to mt7921au chipset section.

2024-11-10 - removed the Alfa AXML and AXM adapters due to ongoing issues related to Bluetooth.

Does this mean it’s permanently unsupported, or could it be fixed and reintroduced later?

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Here’s a simpler and polished version of your post:

Hey,

I’ve tried everything possible without success. Through deep research with AI, I came across a Git repository mentioning similar issues, possibly linked to WiFi 6E and Linux.

Under Windows, the adapter works with CommView for WiFi, but only in passive monitoring mode, and the free version limits it to 5 minutes.

Just wanted to share my experience since it seems to align with the same problems discussed here.

Does anyone have recommendations for reliable hardware that works seamlessly with Kali Linux, supports monitor mode, packet injection, and is readily available to purchase?

Thanks

Loxice

I use the comfast CF-WU785AC which is a 1300 Mbps adapter. (a/b/g/n/ac)

You used to have to install drivers, these days it ‘just works’ as drivers are in kernel now, just plug and play.

Was about £20 or $25 from memory, available lots of places.

Its a mediatek chipset, the MT7612UN

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I’ve written a detailed guide to set up this adapter on Kali Linux 2024.4, but every time I try to publish it, I get a 403 error. Is there any admin who can help me with this issue?

same :frowning: I am about to return it and get another brand \ model.

Can you please DM the guide/link?
Thank you!

https://files.alfa.com.tw/?dir=[1]%20WiFi%20USB%20adapter/AWUS036AXML/Linux
this is one.

Hello brother, I have the same problem. Could you help me, please? If you’d like, leave me your email or Discord so I can contact you.

I have attempted to share the guide on this forum by removing all markdown special characters, in case the formatting was causing the error. I also broke all URL links to avoid any issues if references were not allowed, but nothing worked.

As a final solution, I converted the markdown text into a PDF, which you can access through the following link:
hxxps://limewire.com/d/948583b3-c2ed-4ba4-a421-b592594b4686#CKWZ7nuylbGN7oWf-YkYNtBwD-4uzTk5rVH6brmBxX8

Replace ‘hxxps’ with ‘https’.

3 Likes

it worked… you Mr. :slight_smile: saved so much time. :slight_smile: thank you.

I’m glad to read that :wink:

@AlexN91 @balthael Just mentioning you in case you haven’t received the update or had a chance to check out the guide I posted.

1 Like