Installing tp-link ac 600 driver in arch linux

Mar. 31, 2025

First install dkms and linux-headers then restart.

Then from the AUR install rtl8821au-dkms-git then restart

If you’ve recently purchased a TP-Link AC600 wireless adapter and are trying to get it working on Arch Linux, you’ll need to install the appropriate drivers. Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting it up.

Prerequisites

Before installing the driver, make sure you have dkms and linux-headers installed. These are essential for compiling and managing kernel modules.

Step 1: Install DKMS and Linux Headers

Open a terminal and run the following command:

sudo pacman -S dkms linux-headers

Once the installation is complete, restart your system:

sudo reboot

Step 2: Install the Driver from AUR

The driver for the TP-Link AC600 adapter is available in the Arch User Repository (AUR) under the package rtl8821au-dkms-git. To install it, use an AUR helper like yay:

yay -S rtl8821au-dkms-git

Alternatively, if you don’t have an AUR helper installed, you can manually clone and build the package:

git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/rtl8821au-dkms-git.git
cd rtl8821au-dkms-git
makepkg -si

Step 3: Restart Your System

Once the driver is installed, reboot your system to apply the changes:

sudo reboot

Step 4: Verify the Installation

After restarting, check if the adapter is recognized by running:

ip link

or

lsmod | grep 8821

If everything is set up correctly, your TP-Link AC600 adapter should now be working on Arch Linux.