Network expertise needed: Debian 13 + Realtek 8192SU wifi dongle

Off-Topic
1

I can’t find out what’s wrong, feeling like running in circles. I miss the expert skills on this.
Knowing there’s several network guru’s on this forum, I want to ask for suggestions on how to solve a weird issue:

my pc won’t connect to one particular devices’ wifi AP, being an Xtend Hybrid Heatpump; it keeps requesting to enter the (already saved) password a few times, until it times out. Yes I am really sure the pw is correct.
Wifi security is set to WPA/WPA2/WPA3 Personal
(Yes, I know the Xtend disables it’s AP after 15 minutes idle time)

However, it connects just fine to any other network or device @ home, f.e. to an SMA inverters’ AP, and to my wifi network SSID’s.

My laptop and Android phone+tablet connect fine with the Xtend!

Please ask what additional info you need, then I’ll update this post.

  • Devices:
    PC (won’t connect)
    OS: Debian 13
    NIC: Realtek 8192SU (USB)

  • Laptop (connects fine)
    OS: Mint
    NIC: Realtek RTL8188CE (PCI)

Debian 13 pc info

When connected to my wifi network:

$ iwconfig
wlx24050f7cdaa4  IEEE 802.11gn  ESSID:"Fxxxxxxs"  Nickname:"rtl_wifi"
          Mode:Managed  Frequency:2.447 GHz  Access Point: 6A:E5:32:xx:xx:xx   
          Bit Rate:72 Mb/s   Sensitivity:0/0  
          Retry:off   RTS thr:off   Fragment thr:off
          Encryption key:****-****-****-****-****-****-****-****   Security mode:open
          Power Management:off
          Link Quality=100/100  Signal level=100/100  Noise level=0/100
          Rx invalid nwid:0  Rx invalid crypt:0  Rx invalid frag:0
          Tx excessive retries:0  Invalid misc:0   Missed beacon:0

When connected to the SMA inverter’s AP:

$ iwconfig
wlx24050f7cdaa4  IEEE 802.11bgn  ESSID:"SMA30xxxxxxx"  Nickname:"rtl_wifi"
          Mode:Managed  Frequency:2.412 GHz  Access Point: 20:BA:36:xx:xx:xx   
          Bit Rate:65 Mb/s   Sensitivity:0/0  
          Retry:off   RTS thr:off   Fragment thr:off
          Encryption key:****-****-****-****-****-****-****-****   Security mode:open
          Power Management:off
          Link Quality=84/100  Signal level=58/100  Noise level=0/100
          Rx invalid nwid:0  Rx invalid crypt:0  Rx invalid frag:0
          Tx excessive retries:0  Invalid misc:0   Missed beacon:0

.

Laptop

When connected to the Xtend’s AP:

$ iwconfig
wlp4s0    IEEE 802.11  ESSID:"Xtend-2305xxxxx"  
          Mode:Managed  Frequency:2.437 GHz  Access Point: A0:76:4E:xx:xx:xx   
          Bit Rate=150 Mb/s   Tx-Power=20 dBm   
          Retry short limit:7   RTS thr=2347 B   Fragment thr:off
          Power Management:on
          Link Quality=62/70  Signal level=-48 dBm  
          Rx invalid nwid:0  Rx invalid crypt:0  Rx invalid frag:0
          Tx excessive retries:0  Invalid misc:0   Missed beacon:0

When connected to the SMA inverter’s AP:

$ iwconfig
wlp4s0    IEEE 802.11  ESSID:"SMA30xxxxxxx"  
          Mode:Managed  Frequency:2.412 GHz  Access Point: 20:BA:36:xx:xx:xx   
          Bit Rate=65 Mb/s   Tx-Power=20 dBm   
          Retry short limit:7   RTS thr=2347 B   Fragment thr:off
          Power Management:on
          Link Quality=42/70  Signal level=-68 dBm  
          Rx invalid nwid:0  Rx invalid crypt:0  Rx invalid frag:0
          Tx excessive retries:0  Invalid misc:2   Missed beacon:0

LOGS of Debian 13 pc

when trying to connect with the Xtend

$ sudo journalctl | grep -i networkmanager

Dec 22 17:39:35 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421575.8405] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): Activation: starting connection 'Auto Xtend-2305xxxxxx' (56195c9b-3f36-4804-b895-fd78a1f4203a)
Dec 22 17:39:35 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421575.8419] audit: op="connection-activate" uuid="56195c9b-3f36-4804-b895-fd78a1f4203a" name="Auto Xtend-2305xxxxxx" pid=2494 uid=1000 result="success"
Dec 22 17:39:35 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421575.8436] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): state change: disconnected -> prepare (reason 'none', managed-type: 'full')
Dec 22 17:39:35 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421575.8456] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): state change: prepare -> config (reason 'none', managed-type: 'full')
Dec 22 17:39:35 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421575.8460] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): Activation: (wifi) access point 'Auto Xtend-2305xxxxxx' has security, but secrets are required.
Dec 22 17:39:35 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421575.8461] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): state change: config -> need-auth (reason 'none', managed-type: 'full')
Dec 22 17:39:35 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421575.8620] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): state change: need-auth -> prepare (reason 'none', managed-type: 'full')
Dec 22 17:39:35 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421575.8633] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): state change: prepare -> config (reason 'none', managed-type: 'full')
Dec 22 17:39:35 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421575.8638] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): Activation: (wifi) connection 'Auto Xtend-2305xxxxxx' has security, and secrets exist.  No new secrets needed.
Dec 22 17:39:35 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421575.8639] Config: added 'ssid' value 'Xtend-2305xxxxxx'
Dec 22 17:39:35 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421575.8639] Config: added 'scan_ssid' value '1'
Dec 22 17:39:35 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421575.8639] Config: added 'bgscan' value 'simple:30:-70:86400'
Dec 22 17:39:35 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421575.8640] Config: added 'key_mgmt' value 'WPA-PSK WPA-PSK-SHA256'
Dec 22 17:39:35 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421575.8640] Config: added 'auth_alg' value 'OPEN'
Dec 22 17:39:35 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421575.8640] Config: added 'psk' value '<hidden>'
Dec 22 17:39:44 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421584.0919] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): supplicant interface state: scanning -> disconnected
Dec 22 17:39:54 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421594.0906] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): supplicant interface state: disconnected -> associating
Dec 22 17:39:59 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421599.0989] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): supplicant interface state: associating -> disconnected
Dec 22 17:39:59 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421599.1994] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): supplicant interface state: disconnected -> scanning
Dec 22 17:40:01 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <warn>  [1766421601.0995] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): Activation: (wifi) association took too long
Dec 22 17:40:01 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421601.0996] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): state change: config -> need-auth (reason 'none', managed-type: 'full')
Dec 22 17:40:01 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <warn>  [1766421601.1001] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): Activation: (wifi) asking for new secrets
Dec 22 17:40:06 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421606.8556] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): state change: need-auth -> prepare (reason 'none', managed-type: 'full')
Dec 22 17:40:06 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421606.8562] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): state change: prepare -> config (reason 'none', managed-type: 'full')
Dec 22 17:40:06 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421606.8567] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): Activation: (wifi) connection 'Auto Xtend-2305xxxxxx' has security, and secrets exist.  No new secrets needed.
Dec 22 17:40:06 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421606.8567] Config: added 'ssid' value 'Xtend-2305xxxxxx'
Dec 22 17:40:06 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421606.8567] Config: added 'scan_ssid' value '1'
Dec 22 17:40:06 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421606.8568] Config: added 'bgscan' value 'simple:30:-70:86400'
Dec 22 17:40:06 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421606.8568] Config: added 'key_mgmt' value 'WPA-PSK WPA-PSK-SHA256'
Dec 22 17:40:06 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421606.8568] Config: added 'auth_alg' value 'OPEN'
Dec 22 17:40:06 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421606.8569] Config: added 'psk' value '<hidden>'
Dec 22 17:40:09 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421609.1996] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): supplicant interface state: scanning -> associating
Dec 22 17:40:14 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421614.2066] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): supplicant interface state: associating -> disconnected
Dec 22 17:40:14 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421614.3057] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): supplicant interface state: disconnected -> scanning
Dec 22 17:40:24 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421624.3106] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): supplicant interface state: scanning -> associating
Dec 22 17:40:29 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421629.3179] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): supplicant interface state: associating -> disconnected
Dec 22 17:40:29 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421629.4178] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): supplicant interface state: disconnected -> scanning
Dec 22 17:40:32 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <warn>  [1766421632.1000] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): Activation: (wifi) association took too long
Dec 22 17:40:32 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421632.1000] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): state change: config -> need-auth (reason 'none', managed-type: 'full')
Dec 22 17:40:32 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <warn>  [1766421632.1002] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): Activation: (wifi) asking for new secrets
Dec 22 17:40:37 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421637.5110] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): state change: need-auth -> prepare (reason 'none', managed-type: 'full')
Dec 22 17:40:37 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421637.5118] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): state change: prepare -> config (reason 'none', managed-type: 'full')
Dec 22 17:40:37 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421637.5121] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): Activation: (wifi) connection 'Auto Xtend-2305xxxxxx' has security, and secrets exist.  No new secrets needed.
Dec 22 17:40:37 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421637.5121] Config: added 'ssid' value 'Xtend-2305xxxxxx'
Dec 22 17:40:37 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421637.5121] Config: added 'scan_ssid' value '1'
Dec 22 17:40:37 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421637.5122] Config: added 'bgscan' value 'simple:30:-70:86400'
Dec 22 17:40:37 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421637.5122] Config: added 'key_mgmt' value 'WPA-PSK WPA-PSK-SHA256'
Dec 22 17:40:37 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421637.5122] Config: added 'auth_alg' value 'OPEN'
Dec 22 17:40:37 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421637.5122] Config: added 'psk' value '<hidden>'
Dec 22 17:40:39 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421639.4152] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): supplicant interface state: scanning -> associating
Dec 22 17:40:44 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421644.4209] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): supplicant interface state: associating -> disconnected
Dec 22 17:40:44 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421644.5211] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): supplicant interface state: disconnected -> scanning
Dec 22 17:40:54 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421654.5257] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): supplicant interface state: scanning -> associating
Dec 22 17:40:59 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421659.5301] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): supplicant interface state: associating -> disconnected
Dec 22 17:40:59 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421659.6292] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): supplicant interface state: disconnected -> scanning
Dec 22 17:41:03 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <warn>  [1766421663.1003] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): Activation: (wifi) association took too long
Dec 22 17:41:03 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421663.1004] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): state change: config -> failed (reason 'no-secrets', managed-type: 'full')
Dec 22 17:41:03 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <warn>  [1766421663.4040] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): set-hw-addr: new MAC address A6:81:D9:xx:xx:xx not successfully set (scanning)
Dec 22 17:41:04 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <warn>  [1766421664.7556] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): Activation: failed for connection 'Auto Xtend-2305xxxxxx'
Dec 22 17:41:04 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421664.7558] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): supplicant interface state: scanning -> interface_disabled
Dec 22 17:41:04 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421664.7560] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): state change: failed -> disconnected (reason 'none', managed-type: 'full')
Dec 22 17:41:04 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421664.7957] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): supplicant interface state: interface_disabled -> inactive


$ sudo journalctl | grep -i wlx24

Dec 22 17:29:27 ha-hp avahi-daemon[822]: Withdrawing address record for 192.168.2.202 on wlx24050f7cdaa4.
Dec 22 17:29:27 ha-hp avahi-daemon[822]: Leaving mDNS multicast group on interface wlx24050f7cdaa4.IPv4 with address 192.168.2.202.
Dec 22 17:29:27 ha-hp avahi-daemon[822]: Interface wlx24050f7cdaa4.IPv4 no longer relevant for mDNS.
Dec 22 17:29:27 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766420967.6146] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): Activation: starting connection 'Auto Xtend-2305xxxxxx' (56195c9b-3f36-4804-b895-fd78a1f4203a)
Dec 22 17:29:27 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766420967.6154] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): supplicant interface state: disconnected -> interface_disabled
Dec 22 17:29:27 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766420967.6189] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): supplicant interface state: interface_disabled -> disconnected
Dec 22 17:29:27 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766420967.6197] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): state change: disconnected -> prepare (reason 'none', managed-type: 'full')
Dec 22 17:29:27 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766420967.6201] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): state change: prepare -> config (reason 'none', managed-type: 'full')
Dec 22 17:29:27 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766420967.6203] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): Activation: (wifi) access point 'Auto Xtend-2305xxxxxx' has security, but secrets are required.
Dec 22 17:29:27 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766420967.6204] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): state change: config -> need-auth (reason 'none', managed-type: 'full')
Dec 22 17:29:27 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766420967.6212] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): state change: need-auth -> prepare (reason 'none', managed-type: 'full')
Dec 22 17:29:27 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766420967.6214] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): state change: prepare -> config (reason 'none', managed-type: 'full')
Dec 22 17:29:27 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766420967.6222] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): Activation: (wifi) connection 'Auto Xtend-2305xxxxxx' has security, and secrets exist.  No new secrets needed.
Dec 22 17:29:37 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766420977.6497] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): supplicant interface state: disconnected -> scanning
Dec 22 17:29:47 ha-hp wpa_supplicant[892]: wlx24050f7cdaa4: Trying to associate with a0:76:4e:xx:xx:xx (SSID='Xtend-2305xxxxxx' freq=2437 MHz)
Dec 22 17:29:47 ha-hp wpa_supplicant[892]: wlx24050f7cdaa4: Association request to the driver failed
Dec 22 17:29:47 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766420987.6526] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): supplicant interface state: scanning -> associating
Dec 22 17:29:52 ha-hp wpa_supplicant[892]: wlx24050f7cdaa4: Authentication with a0:76:4e:xx:xx:xx timed out.
Dec 22 17:29:52 ha-hp wpa_supplicant[892]: wlx24050f7cdaa4: CTRL-EVENT-DISCONNECTED bssid=a0:76:4e:xx:xx:xx reason=3 locally_generated=1
Dec 22 17:29:52 ha-hp wpa_supplicant[892]: wlx24050f7cdaa4: CTRL-EVENT-DSCP-POLICY clear_all
Dec 22 17:29:52 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766420992.6587] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): supplicant interface state: associating -> disconnected
Dec 22 17:29:52 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766420992.7600] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): supplicant interface state: disconnected -> scanning
Dec 22 17:29:53 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <warn>  [1766420993.0994] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): Activation: (wifi) association took too long
Dec 22 17:29:53 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766420993.0995] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): state change: config -> need-auth (reason 'none', managed-type: 'full')
Dec 22 17:29:53 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <warn>  [1766420993.0998] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): Activation: (wifi) asking for new secrets
Dec 22 17:29:57 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766420997.8768] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): state change: need-auth -> prepare (reason 'none', managed-type: 'full')
Dec 22 17:29:57 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766420997.8770] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): state change: prepare -> config (reason 'none', managed-type: 'full')
Dec 22 17:29:57 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766420997.8773] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): Activation: (wifi) connection 'Auto Xtend-2305xxxxxx' has security, and secrets exist.  No new secrets needed.
Dec 22 17:30:02 ha-hp wpa_supplicant[892]: wlx24050f7cdaa4: Trying to associate with a0:76:4e:xx:xx:xx (SSID='Xtend-2305xxxxxx' freq=2437 MHz)
Dec 22 17:30:02 ha-hp wpa_supplicant[892]: wlx24050f7cdaa4: Association request to the driver failed
Dec 22 17:30:02 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421002.7607] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): supplicant interface state: scanning -> associating
Dec 22 17:30:07 ha-hp wpa_supplicant[892]: wlx24050f7cdaa4: Authentication with a0:76:4e:xx:xx:xx timed out.
Dec 22 17:30:07 ha-hp wpa_supplicant[892]: wlx24050f7cdaa4: CTRL-EVENT-DISCONNECTED bssid=a0:76:4e:xx:xx:xx reason=3 locally_generated=1
Dec 22 17:30:07 ha-hp wpa_supplicant[892]: wlx24050f7cdaa4: CTRL-EVENT-DSCP-POLICY clear_all
Dec 22 17:30:07 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421007.7653] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): supplicant interface state: associating -> disconnected
Dec 22 17:30:07 ha-hp NetworkManager[889]: <info>  [1766421007.8654] device (wlx24050f7cdaa4): supplicant interface state: disconnected -> scanning

Thanks in advance,
Peet

2

Maybe there are too many clients (devices) connected to it? It seems like the AP isn’t responding to association. Also, is it a “setup” network? Then you can complete the setup on your phone or laptop and access the device from your PC in your main network.

3

Thanks, Sven.

I made sure to only (try to) connect one device at a time to it.

Not sure what you mean, it’s just a simple devices’ AP with it’s own DHCP , similar to what Homey Pro 2019 setup uses, and my inverter for instance.

Because any other device connects with it, I’m getting the idea something’s off with the dongle or the driver.
BUT, it does connect fine with the inverters’ AP. That puzzles me.

4

But why do you need to connect to the AP from multiple devices? If you connect from your phone or any other device that does connect to it, you can complete the setup and then access the device from your main LAN afterwards.

5

I don’t. I only showed the other, functioning, connections to show it works fine on other devices.

But with the very one I need it to work for, it doesn’t. That’s my hurdle.