XPS 7390 Developer's Edition (Linux) Loses Wi-Fi When Upgrading Ubuntu to 19.xx

Question

I just bought a XPS 7390 Developer's Edition running Ubuntu 18.04.   When I upgraded to 19.04 the OS was no longer able to detect my wifi card.   While I was running 19.04, Ubuntu Software & Updates showed that it was using an alternative driver: 'Using iwlwifi driver backport in DKMS...(open source)' just as it is now on 18.04. The only difference it, in hardware settings the wifi card was not detected.   Since then I restored the XPS to factory settings and I'm able to connect once again to wifi on 18.04.   From what I've been able to gather, the XPS uses the Killer network card.   Is this is known issue?  I searched the Dell Linux forums and didn't see anything recent (2018 and later) that seemed relevant.  Are there any commands you suggest I run to help diagnose this?   Killer Networking seems to recommend building the module/driver from source:   https://support.killernetworking.com/knowledge-base/killer-ax1650-in-debian-ubuntu-16-04/     Should I just bite the bullet and follow the above instructions after upgrading (obviously with an ethernet connection) or is there a better way?

Dmhaes · Answer

I had the same problem last week. I have upgraded to ubuntu 19.10 et have gotten back wifi.

p950tes · Answer

I also got the same problem after updating.

I tried installing lots of different iwlwifi driver versions but in the end I gave up and just did a clean install with 19.10 and that worked fine. I'm assuming it was some combination of driver packages from the new Ubuntu 19.xx repos and the preconfigured dell repositories which have not been updated beyond 18.04.

So just do a clean install and get rid of the dell stuff and it should work fine.

TheseusLinux · Answer

Thanks. I plan to try that out when i have access to an ethernet connection.

Can you still get access to Dell firmware updates if you blow away the Dell stuff and install stock Ubuntu? This is probably not a deal breaker for me but I'm just curious.

Cristobalhdez · Answer

I got my XPS 7390 Dev edition today. I would like to know if the fingerprint reader works on Ubuntu 19.10.

Gilbou92 · Answer

Not yet for the fingerprint reader.

Dell aimed to have this to work mid 2020 on the 9300 2020 model but we are waiting for news from them.

I am not optimistic about his

And I have serious issues with the technology of using fingerprints to unlock machines, which I consider unsafe and dangerous.

Linux General

XPS 7390 Developer's Edition (Linux) Loses Wi-Fi When Upgrading Ubuntu to 19.xx

Was this post helpful?