These instructions are based on an open source driver from GitHub.  There are other open source drivers available.  You don't have to use the one showed here.  The following instructions work for EW-7811 AC600 Series adapters and EW-7822UAC AC 1200 USB 3.0 adapter only.


As of June 11, 2019, we use the 2019-04-08 Raspbian Operating System(OS) image and then update the kernel to v4.19 on Raspberry Pi(RPi) 3 Model B for testing and verification.  Commands used to compile and install the driver are in green below.  You should input them one at a time.  The '$' is just the prompt to indicate you're not the root user.  Please do not include it with the command you typed.



[1.]  Make sure your RPi is able to access the Internet.


[2.]  Open a Terminal program from your Raspbian OS.


[3.]  Make sure your system is up-to-date and reboot if necessary after updated/upgraded.  This step is optional and you don't have to do it.  After the reboot, continue with Step 4.

$ sudo apt update

$ sudo apt upgrade

$ sudo reboot


[4.]  Install the kernel headers, which is needed to compile the driver.

$ sudo apt install raspberrypi-kernel-headers

$ ls /lib/modules/$(uname -r)


You should be able to see a build/ folder with the 2nd command above.  If you don't see it, something is wrong.  You need to check the installation one more time.  Here's an example.

[5.]  Clone the open source driver from the GitHub repository.

$ git clone https://github.com/aircrack-ng/rtl8812au.git

$ cd rtl8812au

[ Note:  Right after 'rt' is a letter 'l' (like lemon), not a number 1 (like 1990).  And right after '88' is a number 1 (like 1990), not a letter 'l' (like lemon).  Typing them wrong will cause GitHub to prompt you inputting a Username and a Password or saying repository not found. ]


[6.]  Modify the hardware platform in Makefile.  The default setting is for Intel/AMD-based (I386-PC) platform.  We have to change it to ARM-based RPi (ARM-RPI) platform.

$ nano Makefile
[ Note:  nano is my Text Editor of choice.  You can use any one you preferred like vi. ]

-- Change the following lines:

Line #110 — CONFIG_PLATFORM_I386_PC from y to n
Line #158 — CONFIG_PLATFORM_ARM_RPI from n to y

-- Save the file


[7.]  Compile and install the driver.

$ make

[ Note:  You will receive a lot of warning messages.  Simply ignore them. ]

$ sudo make install


[8.]  Restart your RPi for the installed driver to take effect.

$ sudo reboot



That's it!  Once finished booting up, you should be able to make a Wi-Fi connection using our adapter via the Network Manager.


You may need to recompile and reinstall the existing driver whenever there is a kernel update.  Otherwise, the adapter may not be working.  First, you have to uninstall/remove the installed driver.  Here are the commands.


[A.]  Uninstall/remove the installed driver.

$ cd rtl8812au

$ sudo make uninstall

$ make clean

$ cd ..

$ rm -rf rtl8812Au

[ Note:  Be careful with the last command.  It will delete the folder and its sub-folders along with all the files without prompting you any warnings!  Make sure you have the correct folder name. ]


When finished, simply repeat Steps 1~8 again to recompile and reinstall the driver.



Enjoy!



Technical Support Team

Edimax USA

Santa Clara, CA




/*** EOF ***/

Created:  2016-06-08  10:44 AM

Modified:  2019-06-11  9:28 AM