Wifi signal is weak in Ubuntu 18.04 with RTL8723BE

It's a problem with the drivers of Realtek RTL8723BE controller. Do this:

1. Get the new wifi drivers from github:

   git clone https://github.com/lwfinger/rtlwifi_new.git -b rtw88
   

   Update: The master branch is officially abandoned, branch rtw88 is supported now (appropriate changes have been made in the above command).

2. Go into the directory:

   cd rtlwifi_new
   

3. Build it:

   make
   

4. Install:

   sudo make install
   

   Now, the new drivers are installed. To see what is the correct antenna configuration for your laptop, do this:

5. Unload the existing module:

   sudo modprobe -r rtl8723be
   

6. Load the new module with antenna configuration:

   sudo modprobe rtl8723be ant_sel=1
   

7. Now, check the WiFi signals using:

   iwlist scan | egrep -i 'ssid|quality'
   

   Next, repeat the steps(5-7) with ant_sel=2 in step 6.

8. Whichever configuration gives the better signal quality, make it default by using:

   echo "options rtl8723be ant_sel=N" | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/rtl8723be.conf   #Replace N with 1 or 2
   

Note: After each kernel update, you need to rebuild the modules.

You did wrong things with running the command. You have duplicate entries.

Run in a terminal

cd /etc/modprobe.d
sudo rm 50-rtl8723be.conf rtl8723-ant-sel.conf rtl8723be.conf rtl8723be.con

Now you are clean and you can run

sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/rtl8723be.conf <<< "options rtl8723be ant_sel=1"

Reboot now and test.

Yes. this problem is because of the default Ubuntu WiFi driver that gives a weak WiFi signal experience. Also I'm using HP laptop where Ubuntu 18.4.1 was installed. So, here is the easiest procedure works for me.

This script is tested successfully on Ubuntu 16.04.3 LTS

Initially you will require a internet connection. So, You can sit near to your router or connect with LAN network.

Steps:

1. Go to download path https://github.com/navilg/rtl8723be and extract the zip file

2. After extraction we will see a folder rtl8723be-script folder

3. Go inside that folder and you will find install.sh file. We will use this script to run the programs

4. Make sure you have installed following programs in your system. Programs:

   • unzip : You can install it using 'sudo apt install unzip'
   • make : You can install it using 'sudo apt install make'
   • gcc : You can install it using 'sudo apt install gcc'
   • wget : You can install it using 'sudo apt install wget'

5. Now we will run the sript in terminal.

   bash '/home/navi/Downloads/rtl8723be-script/install.sh'
   

6. It will ask for password so that it can install the programs as SuperUser

7. It will check for required programs. If all programs mentioned above exist in your system then it will proceed with installation procedure or else it will ask to install those programs. Those programs are by default installed in Ubuntu 16.04.3.

8. It will ask for permission to download required files. After typing y file will be downloaded

9. Now you need to provide interface name of your wifi.

You can check that using iwconfig command. For that open new terminal

10. Copy paste the interface name

11. Installation is in progress it may take some time. Be patient. Nothing will show on terminal except dot at the time of installation.

12. If installation fails,

    Don't worry. It will try installing another file to resolve the issue

    Press y and enter

    Again it will download another file

    Again provide interface name

    It will try installing and may take few minutes based on your system speed.

13. you can check the background installation processes in log file displayed on the screen

14. Now it will ask if you want to delete downloaded files. If you delete downloaded files. You will need internet connection again if in future you will need to install it again. If you retain it you don't require internet connection again and installation will be faster.

    You can retain it or delete it based on your choice. I want to delete it as I already have those file

15. Installation successful. You can reboot the system for better performance.

16. Installation is successful. After rebooting you will find strong wifi signal.

Please let me know your feedback, suggestions or any bugs on [email protected]

Video guide of this procedure at youtube.