Linux noob using mint for the first time, decided to boot from a flash drive before fully installing on my PC, just to try it out first. I’m having issues getting Wi-Fi to work during the live session though; clicking the Wi-Fi icon only brings up Network Settings and Network connections. Network connections lets me try to set it up manually, but I can’t figure out how to get it to connect after putting in all the info I can find for my Wi-Fi. Is this normal? Did I mess up the installation somehow, or is a drivers problem?

Hardware: HP laptop, AMD Ryzen 5 7520U w/ Radeon Graphics (Model # 15-fc0025dx). OS: Linux kernel 5.15.0-91 generic, Linux Mint version 21.3, Cinnamon version 6.0.4. Booted off a flash drive (live session).

edit: I also get the following screen when I try to shut my laptop down from the Mint boot:

  • ToffeeIsForClosers@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    1 month ago

    I too had this problem recently during my first Linux test drive.

    The network set up you’re describing is actually the process for setting up your device as a hotspot, not to connect to the Internet.

    As mentioned here elsewhere, it’s a driver issue. You have two choices:

    1. Download drivers to the USB drive and update the WiFi chip.
    2. Easier: connect your phone’s hotspot by Bluetooth connection from the device instead. Then run the update manager to bring in everything that’s missing.

    After this you should be able to click the system tray network icon and just pick your WiFi connection/router of choice like you’d normally expect to be there.

    • littletranspunk@lemmus.orgEnglish
      2·
      1 month ago

      I would just do USB tethering. Almost all of the time the Bluetooth is managed by the same chip that manages wifi

    • ComicalMayhem@lemmy.worldOP
      1·
      1 month ago

      Not sure how to connect to my phone’s hotspot via Bluetooth, or if my Bluetooth drivers also need updating lmao. What drivers should I be looking for then, and where can I find them?

      • ToffeeIsForClosers@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        1 month ago

        I went looking for the webpage that followed to resolve my problem but couldn’t find it.

        This page has some tips.

        But I think you got some good advice in the other replies. I hope something helps to fix the issue.