Ethernet No Longer Working After Updates

General system Kernel, boot, graphics & hardware
1

Hi,

After installing updates my r8168 drivers stopped working. I have reviewed the post here, about it no longer being in support, and have tried the recommended fixes of trying the r8168-lts driver from the AUR, manually installed the driver from here, as well as I have tried booting to both kernel options available to me in GRUB. However, I don’t appear to be able to figure this out out on my own.

username@computer:~$ hwinfo --network
38: None 00.0: 1070a WLAN                                       
  [Created at net.126]
  Unique ID: AYEt.QXn1l67RSa1
  Parent ID: y9sn.X1Wle1MTtS8
  SysFS ID: /class/net/wlan0
  SysFS Device Link: /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:14.3
  Hardware Class: network interface
  Model: "WLAN network interface"
  Driver: "iwlwifi"
  Driver Modules: "iwlwifi"
  Device File: wlan0
  HW Address: 9e:b4:e2:b8:ec:72
  Permanent HW Address: 30:24:32:49:fb:ec
  Link detected: no
  Config Status: cfg=new, avail=yes, need=no, active=unknown
  Attached to: #8 (Network controller)

39: None 00.0: 10700 Loopback
  [Created at net.126]
  Unique ID: ZsBS.GQNx7L4uPNA
  SysFS ID: /class/net/lo
  Hardware Class: network interface
  Model: "Loopback network interface"
  Device File: lo
  Link detected: yes
  Config Status: cfg=new, avail=yes, need=no, active=unknown

40: None 00.0: 10701 Ethernet
  [Created at net.126]
  Unique ID: j2Yp.ndpeucax6V1
  SysFS ID: /class/net/virbr0
  Hardware Class: network interface
  Model: "Ethernet network interface"
  Driver: "bridge"
  Device File: virbr0
  HW Address: 52:54:00:60:22:49
  Link detected: no
  Config Status: cfg=new, avail=yes, need=no, active=unknown

41: None 00.0: 10701 Ethernet
  [Created at net.126]
  Unique ID: 1N3t.ndpeucax6V1
  Parent ID: Ljo_.yoS0qJWlKE6
  SysFS ID: /class/net/enp4s0
  SysFS Device Link: /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1c.0/0000:04:00.0
  Hardware Class: network interface
  Model: "Ethernet network interface"
  Driver: "r8169"
  Driver Modules: "r8169"
  Device File: enp4s0
  HW Address: 94:c6:91:9b:83:1c
  Permanent HW Address: 94:c6:91:9b:83:1c
  Link detected: yes
  Config Status: cfg=new, avail=yes, need=no, active=unknown
  Attached to: #17 (Ethernet controller)

42: None 00.0: 10701 Ethernet
  [Created at net.126]
  Unique ID: G420.ndpeucax6V1
  Parent ID: X7GA.TraAPpK4j+5
  SysFS ID: /class/net/enp0s20f0u7
  SysFS Device Link: /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:14.0/usb1/1-7/1-7:1.0
  Hardware Class: network interface
  Model: "Ethernet network interface"
  Driver: "cdc_ncm"
  Driver Modules: "cdc_ncm"
  Device File: enp0s20f0u7
  HW Address: d2:13:62:db:33:60
  Permanent HW Address: d2:13:62:db:33:60
  Link detected: yes
  Config Status: cfg=new, avail=yes, need=no, active=unknown
  Attached to: #28 (Ethernet controller)


 1 username@computer:~$ sudo modprobe r8168
modprobe: FATAL: Module r8168 not found in directory /lib/modules/6.9.9-arch1-1
 1 username@computer:~$ sudo modprobe r8169


username@computer:~$ inxi -Na
Network:
  Device-1: Intel Cannon Lake PCH CNVi WiFi driver: iwlwifi v: kernel
    bus-ID: 00:14.3 chip-ID: 8086:a370 class-ID: 0280
  Device-2: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8211/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet
    vendor: Acer Incorporated ALI driver: r8169 v: kernel pcie: gen: 1
    speed: 2.5 GT/s lanes: 1 port: 3000 bus-ID: 04:00.0 chip-ID: 10ec:8168
    class-ID: 0200

At this point I’m out of ideas in how I can resolve this issue. In reviewing the pacman logs I can also see that the LTS kernel was updated, and I am not certain if this is related. I am happy to provide the pacman logs from anyone interested, I just don’t want to include too much in the first post.

2

The r8169 won’t work for you?
Device-2: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8211/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet
driver: r8169

3

Thanks for replying, no the r8169 driver doesn’t appear to be working. Additionally I tried the package from the AUR (aur/r8169aspm-dkms) and this also did not work for me.

4

Well, I thought I was running r8169, but seems mine is actually mt7921e. Guess I’m no help :frowning: I

5

@homelab_hacker
Have you removed the r8168 packages that you installed and that r8169aspm-dkms from the AUR. Your Ethernet should work on the r8169 kernel module. You have to remove those packages and reboot.

Edit: Try the current kernel also.

6

Thanks for taking the time to respond!

I have removed all of the r8168 packages from my computer:

username@usernamedesktop:~$ pacman -Q | grep r8168
username@usernamedesktop:~$ pacman -Q | grep r8169
username@usernamedesktop:~$

Additionally, I ran find / -type f -name r8168 and was unable to find any files relating to the legacy driver on my system.

Additionally, I have blacklisted the r8168 driver from modprobe

username@usernamedesktop:~$ sudo cat /etc/modprobe.d/r8168.conf
[sudo] password for username: 
blacklist r8168

username@usernamedesktop:~$

Finally, I have updated to the latest LTS kernel release

username@usernamedesktop:~$ uname -a
Linux usernamedesktop 6.6.39-1-lts #1 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Thu, 11 Jul 2024 15:06:47 +0000 x86_64 GNU/Linux

Additionally, I can see the r8169 driver on my computer. However, my Ethernet port is still not working:

username@usernamedesktop:~$ modinfo r8169
filename:       /lib/modules/6.6.39-1-lts/kernel/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169.ko.zst
firmware:       rtl_nic/rtl8125b-2.fw
firmware:       rtl_nic/rtl8125a-3.fw
firmware:       rtl_nic/rtl8107e-2.fw
firmware:       rtl_nic/rtl8168fp-3.fw
firmware:       rtl_nic/rtl8168h-2.fw
firmware:       rtl_nic/rtl8168g-3.fw
firmware:       rtl_nic/rtl8168g-2.fw
firmware:       rtl_nic/rtl8106e-2.fw
firmware:       rtl_nic/rtl8106e-1.fw
firmware:       rtl_nic/rtl8411-2.fw
firmware:       rtl_nic/rtl8411-1.fw
firmware:       rtl_nic/rtl8402-1.fw
firmware:       rtl_nic/rtl8168f-2.fw
firmware:       rtl_nic/rtl8168f-1.fw
firmware:       rtl_nic/rtl8105e-1.fw
firmware:       rtl_nic/rtl8168e-3.fw
firmware:       rtl_nic/rtl8168e-2.fw
firmware:       rtl_nic/rtl8168e-1.fw
firmware:       rtl_nic/rtl8168d-2.fw
firmware:       rtl_nic/rtl8168d-1.fw
license:        GPL
softdep:        pre: realtek
description:    RealTek RTL-8169 Gigabit Ethernet driver
author:         Realtek and the Linux r8169 crew <netdev@vger.kernel.org>
srcversion:     833B864B6684E12C07A6AED
alias:          pci:v000010ECd00003000sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000010ECd00008125sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v00000001d00008168sv*sd00002410bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v00001737d00001032sv*sd00000024bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000016ECd00000116sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v00001259d0000C107sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v00001186d00004302sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v00001186d00004300sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v00001186d00004300sv00001186sd00004B10bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000010ECd00008169sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000010FFd00008168sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000010ECd00008168sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000010ECd00008167sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000010ECd00008162sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000010ECd00008161sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000010ECd00008136sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000010ECd00008129sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000010ECd00002600sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
alias:          pci:v000010ECd00002502sv*sd*bc*sc*i*
depends:        libphy,mdio_devres
retpoline:      Y
intree:         Y
name:           r8169
vermagic:       6.6.39-1-lts SMP preempt mod_unload 
sig_id:         PKCS#7
signer:         Build time autogenerated kernel key
sig_key:        64:97:4D:F3:2D:E6:01:0F:EC:8F:2F:AB:53:63:B1:A8:D1:F2:81:58
sig_hashalgo:   sha512
signature:      30:65:02:31:00:83:D8:82:9F:8A:B1:15:88:56:4C:B5:9C:F1:FD:C1:
		39:16:74:CA:23:EB:7A:2D:25:13:17:66:3E:73:E3:73:A1:B9:4D:90:
		8E:8B:0F:E6:F3:45:86:60:66:E6:B7:D9:51:02:30:31:76:1E:31:0E:
		1D:A4:C4:F5:ED:BE:5A:8C:AF:75:54:33:3D:02:F9:24:DE:76:40:51:
		41:5C:32:CC:35:CC:33:E0:7F:DF:A3:D7:DF:69:E4:AA:4E:75:65:A5:
		DE:CB:D1

NOTE: I have checked that the cable is working, and have replaced it regardless just in case. I have link lights, but I am open to performing further tests on the NIC if required.

7

When you say it’s not working what exactly is not working? You can’t browse the internet?
If inxi -Na shows the module is loaded then.

can you ping

ping -c 3 127.0.0.1
ping -c 3 www.google.com

Edit: Have you tried the standard current kernel 6.9.9-arch1-1

1 Like
8

I suggest also trying this test, to help verify a possible DNS issue (WAN ping, but no DNS needed):

ping -c 3 1.1.1.1
9

in cases it can help to remove the profile from NetworkManager config (GUI Settings)
nm-applet or the DE internel settings. and recreate them.
There are only a very few devices not working with the r8169 driver shipped with the kernel.

10

I really appreciate everyone taking the time to help me. Thank you so much!

To try and answer everyone’s questions I have gathered the following:

Before reboot (LTS Kernel)

username@usernamedesktop:~$ inxi -Na
Network:
  Device-1: Intel Cannon Lake PCH CNVi WiFi driver: iwlwifi v: kernel
    bus-ID: 00:14.3 chip-ID: 8086:a370 class-ID: 0280
  Device-2: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8211/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet
    vendor: Acer Incorporated ALI driver: r8169 v: kernel modules: r8168 pcie:
    gen: 1 speed: 2.5 GT/s lanes: 1 port: 3000 bus-ID: 04:00.0
    chip-ID: 10ec:8168 class-ID: 0200
  Device-3: ASIX AX88179 Gigabit Ethernet driver: ax88179_178a type: USB
    rev: 2.1 speed: 480 Mb/s lanes: 1 mode: 2.0 bus-ID: 1-1:2 chip-ID: 0b95:1790
    class-ID: ff00 serial: 0000249B28DDE1
username@usernamedesktop:~$ uname -a
Linux usernamedesktop 6.6.39-1-lts #1 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Thu, 11 Jul 2024 15:06:47 +0000 x86_64 GNU/Linux

I removed my network configurations from the DE settings that @joekamprad suggested, and rebooted into the newest kernel as per @ricklinux request and here is the output:

username@usernamedesktop:~$ uname -a
Linux usernamedesktop 6.9.9-arch1-1 #1 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Fri, 12 Jul 2024 00:06:53 +0000 x86_64 GNU/Linux
username@usernamedesktop:~$ inxi -Na
Network:
  Device-1: Intel Cannon Lake PCH CNVi WiFi driver: iwlwifi v: kernel
    bus-ID: 00:14.3 chip-ID: 8086:a370 class-ID: 0280
  Device-2: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8211/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet
    vendor: Acer Incorporated ALI driver: r8169 v: kernel pcie: gen: 1
    speed: 2.5 GT/s lanes: 1 port: 3000 bus-ID: 04:00.0 chip-ID: 10ec:8168
    class-ID: 0200
  Device-3: ASIX AX88179 Gigabit Ethernet driver: ax88179_178a type: USB
    rev: 2.1 speed: 480 Mb/s lanes: 1 mode: 2.0 bus-ID: 1-1:2 chip-ID: 0b95:1790
    class-ID: ff00 serial: 0000249B28DDE1

username@usernamedesktop:~$ ping -c 3 1.1.1.1
ping: connect: Network is unreachable

username@usernamedesktop:~$ ping -c 3 google.com
ping: google.com: Temporary failure in name resolution

For once this is not a DNS issue lol.

11

I performed some more testing to see if I was having a hardware issue. I have one of these so I thought I would try that. However, I am having the same issue.

I am beginning to suspect that I may have some other issue than the kernel and driver. Not sure if anyone has any guidance. The next test I might do is test from a live CD to see if the issue persists.

12

Yes I agree, I think a live USB/CD is a worthwhile test. Let us know how that goes :+1:

13

@Bink I just booted from an Endeavour Live CD, and experienced the same issue. I’m suspecting that my NIC is having issues and that this isn’t related to a driver. I’ll have to buy a new one. Thanks for your assistance everyone I really appreciate it.

1 Like
14

i see the usb ethernet plug was already connected before it shows in all your info:

  Device-3: ASIX AX88179 Gigabit Ethernet driver: ax88179_178a type: USB
    rev: 2.1 speed: 480 Mb/s lanes: 1 mode: 2.0 bus-ID: 1-1:2 chip-ID: 0b95:1790
    class-ID: ff00 serial: 0000249B28DDE1

But if LiveISO is the same i would bet it is the cable used or the router / switch having issue.

15

@homelab_hacker
Have you tried turning off your router for 3 minutes and then turn it back on and give it 3 minutes to start up?

16

Check the Ethernet cable and connection. On your router, make sure the Ethernet cable is plugged into the correct Ethernet port—not the Internet port that’s used to connect your modem and router. If one Ethernet cable doesn’t work and you have another one nearby, try the other Ethernet cable to see if that works.

17

As stated in one of the above post, boot from the liveiso and if your Ethernet works, then you know that your equipment and cable is working.

2 Likes
18

He confirmed this with an earlier test.

2 Likes
19

Ok so I seem to have the issue resolved. Today I unplugged my router, cables everything. Opened my computer, reseated my NIC, plugged everything back in and used a new ethernet cable, and a different port. Now everything is working fine.

Whichever part of that turned out to be the issue I will never know.

Currently working with the LTS kernel and r8169 driver.

1 Like
20

Network cables do age, and their connectors are subject to wear and tear.

It’s normal practice within businesses to completely replace all network cables in the event of moving, because a network cable left alone can become rigid. The simple act of moving it and bending it in a bit of a different way, can be enough to compromise it’s integrity.

Maybe slap a note on the old cable, so you remember it may have possible issues.