Ubuntu Wi‑Fi Issue Resolution – Reference Guide (QCA9377)

System Information:

• OS: Ubuntu (NetworkManager based)

• Wi‑Fi Adapter: Qualcomm Atheros QCA9377

• Interface: wlp2s0

Core Issue:

• Wi‑Fi adapter detected and firmware loaded correctly.

• However, NetworkManager showed the Wi‑Fi device as "unavailable".

• Root cause identified: wpasupplicant service was corrupted or not functioning.

• NetworkManager depends on wpasupplicant to manage Wi‑Fi authentication.

Symptoms Observed:

• nmcli device status → wifi unavailable

• wpa_supplicant service failed to start (fatal signal / core dump)

• iw dev scan showed networks (hardware and driver were working)

• NetworkManager unable to scan or connect

Packages Required:

1. wpasupplicant


2. network-manager


3. linux-firmware (already installed earlier)

Official Package Links:

• wpasupplicant:

https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/main/w/wpa/wpa_supplicant_2.10-6ubuntu1_amd64.deb

• network-manager:

https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/main/n/network-manager/network-manager_1.36.6-0ubuntu2_amd64.deb

Resolution Steps:

Step 1: Reinstall required packages (online method)

sudo apt update

sudo apt install --reinstall wpasupplicant network-manager

Offline method:

sudo dpkg -i wpa_supplicant*.deb

sudo dpkg -i network-manager*.deb

Step 2: Restart services

sudo systemctl daemon-reexec

sudo systemctl restart wpasupplicant

sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager

Step 3: Reboot system

sudo reboot

Verification Commands:

nmcli device status

nmcli device wifi list

systemctl status wpasupplicant

systemctl status NetworkManager

Expected Result:

• Wi‑Fi interface state changes from “unavailable” → “disconnected” or “connected”

• Available Wi‑Fi networks become visible

• Successful connection to wireless network

Conclusion:

The issue was caused by a broken wpasupplicant service, not by hardware, driver, or firmware.

Reinstalling wpasupplicant and network-manager restored proper Wi‑Fi functionality.