No wifi option on Ubuntu (18.04 and 16.04)

Solution 1:

Please start with:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install build-essential git

Now do:

git clone https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/iwlwifi/backport-iwlwifi.git
cd backport-iwlwifi
sudo make
sudo make install

The ‘make’ step takes a few moments; please be patient.

Now, we’ll write a conf file:

sudo -i
echo “options iwlwifi disable_msix=1”  >>  /etc/modprobe.d/iwlwifi.conf
exit

Reboot and tell us if the wireless is now working.

EDIT: You have compiled the driver for your currently running kernel version only. When Update Manager installs a newer kernel version, after the requested reboot, recompile:

cd backport-iwlwifi
sudo make clean
sudo make
sudo make install

Reboot.

Please retain the files and these instructions for that time.

Solution 2:

I found I had this issue when doing a dual boot of windows 10 and Ubuntu. If I did a hibernate/sleep in windows somehow it would lock up the wifi chip/wifi driver and ubuntu couldn't access it. The solution was to 1) disable fast boot on windows and 2) make sure I "shut down" windows 10 instead of hibernating. Then windows 10 releases the wifi and all versions of ubuntu recognize wifi no problem. Really an infuriating issue, I had hoped to be able to hibernate in windows, switch to Ubuntu, hibernate in ubuntu, switch back, but windows 10 just doesn't play nice :/

edit: here's a link to disabling windows 10 fast startup https://help.uaudio.com/hc/en-us/articles/213195423-How-To-Disable-Fast-Startup-in-Windows-10

edit2: I was also seeing "failed with error -110"... I guess -110 is the windows-is-being-a-jerk error.