# Debian 11 on the Framework Laptop **URL:** \ **Category:** Linux\ **Created:** [November 3, 2021, 2:53pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/debian-11-on-the-framework-laptop/10395 "2021-11-03T14:53:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fabian\_Rodriguez](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/community.frame.work/fabian_rodriguez/32/382_2.png) [@Fabian\_Rodriguez](https://community.frame.work/u/Fabian_Rodriguez)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2021, 2:53pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/debian-11-on-the-framework-laptop/10395/1 "2021-11-03T14:53:14Z")
I got my DIY Framework recently, just wanted to open a new topic to share tips and information about its setup. I ordered without WiFi, hard disk and memory. I bought the following after and it all worked out of the box : - Crucial 32 GB memory stick (DDR4 3200) - CT32G4SFD832A - WD Black SN850 NVMe (1 TB) - WDS100T1X0E - Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 31683rd Gen 802.11ac, Dual Band, 1x1 Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 4.2 (used) - 3168NGW I didn’t chose the wifi card and will probably upgrade at some other time but it’s what was available at my local computer shop which carries a bunch of old used stuff. I used scaling at .75 for fonts in **Tweaks \> Fonts \> Scaling factor** and made sure **Area** was ticked under **Tweaks \> Keyboard and Mouse \> Area** for the right button to work as I expected. I am using full disk encryption and other than boot time being significantly longer than other slower systems or Ubuntu on the same system, I am satisfied with the performance. ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/uploads/framework3/original/2X/b/bc03ce400941422059ac0cb4eab7a75f462df99b.png) ---
**Author:** ![Chiraag\_Nataraj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/97f17d/32.png) [@Chiraag\_Nataraj](https://community.frame.work/u/Chiraag_Nataraj)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2021, 5:31pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/debian-11-on-the-framework-laptop/10395/2 "2021-11-03T17:31:36Z")
Do you know why the boot speed is slow? ---
**Author:** ![Fabian\_Rodriguez](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/community.frame.work/fabian_rodriguez/32/382_2.png) [@Fabian\_Rodriguez](https://community.frame.work/u/Fabian_Rodriguez)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2021, 11:46pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/debian-11-on-the-framework-laptop/10395/3 "2021-11-03T23:46:14Z")
No idea, I only ever reboot so it’s not a deal breaker for me while I test the environment during the next few days. ---
**Author:** ![neurology\_equator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cdc98d/32.png) [@neurology\_equator](https://community.frame.work/u/neurology_equator)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2021, 12:46pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/debian-11-on-the-framework-laptop/10395/4 "2021-11-04T12:46:32Z")
Good idea for a thread! I’m also running Debian 11 on my Framework. Here were the steps I required for installation: #### Install Debian The Intel AX210 wireless card requires non-free firmware and a newer (backported) kernel. Debian can be installed using an ethernet adapter with the netinstall image, or alternatively use the full DVD image and manually load the required firmware after installation using another USB drive. #### Modify `/etc/apt/sources.list` to include non-free and backports The Framework laptop requires non-free firmware for the AX210 wireless card to function properly, as well as a backported kernel. `/etc/apt/sources.list` ```auto deb https://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye main contrib non-free deb-src https://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye main contrib non-free deb https://deb.debian.org/debian-security/ bullseye-security main contrib non-free deb-src https://deb.debian.org/debian-security/ bullseye-security main contrib non-free deb https://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye-updates main contrib non-free deb-src https://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye-updates main contrib non-free deb https://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye-backports main contrib non-free deb-src https://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye-backports main contrib non-free ``` #### Install required firmware and backported kernel: ```auto apt update && apt install firmware-iwlwifi firmware-misc-nonfree apt -t bullseye-backports install linux-image-amd64 ``` Reboot the system! Hopefully that is helpful to someone! Debian seems to work really well on this machine. ---
**Author:** ![Carlos\_Fernandez\_San](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@Carlos\_Fernandez\_San](https://community.frame.work/u/Carlos_Fernandez_San)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2021, 7:42pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/debian-11-on-the-framework-laptop/10395/5 "2021-11-04T19:42:11Z")
> [@neurology\_equator](#): > > Hopefully that is helpful to someone! Debian seems to work really well on this machine. Do you have a Wi-Fi 6 router? If yes - does everything work well for you? ---
**Author:** ![neurology\_equator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cdc98d/32.png) [@neurology\_equator](https://community.frame.work/u/neurology_equator)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2021, 7:54pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/debian-11-on-the-framework-laptop/10395/6 "2021-11-04T19:54:22Z")
> [@Carlos\_Fernandez\_San](#): > > Do you have a Wi-Fi 6 router? I only have a Wi-Fi 5 router. ---
**Author:** ![Carlos\_Fernandez\_San](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@Carlos\_Fernandez\_San](https://community.frame.work/u/Carlos_Fernandez_San)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2021, 10:18pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/debian-11-on-the-framework-laptop/10395/7 "2021-11-04T22:18:55Z")
> [@neurology\_equator](#): > > I only have a Wi-Fi 5 router. Let me know if you upgrade and test 🙂 On my tests, the Wifi with 5.14 worked OK but sleep was broken, and in 5.12 sleep works OK but Wifi 6 disconnects every few minutes. Wifi 5 works fine though. ---
**Author:** ![thearctican](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/community.frame.work/thearctican/32/1665_2.png) [@thearctican](https://community.frame.work/u/thearctican)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2021, 3:05pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/debian-11-on-the-framework-laptop/10395/8 "2021-11-05T15:05:18Z")
> [@Chiraag\_Nataraj](#): > > Do you know why the boot speed is slow? Mine is also slower than expected. I initially only had 32GB of memory and later upgraded to 64GB. Boot time got slower - I can only imagine it’s doing some form of memory space enumeration before starting up. ---
**Author:** ![Dan\_Coleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@Dan\_Coleman](https://community.frame.work/u/Dan_Coleman)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2021, 4:21am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/debian-11-on-the-framework-laptop/10395/10 "2021-11-11T04:21:41Z")
Can I ask why you chose to go with the unsigned kernel rather than the signed kernel? > [@neurology\_equator](#): > > it is necessary to disable secure boot in order to boot the > unsigned backported kernel ---
**Author:** ![Fabian\_Rodriguez](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/community.frame.work/fabian_rodriguez/32/382_2.png) [@Fabian\_Rodriguez](https://community.frame.work/u/Fabian_Rodriguez)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2021, 12:39pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/debian-11-on-the-framework-laptop/10395/11 "2021-11-11T12:39:30Z")
> [@neurology\_equator](#): > > The Framework laptop requires non-free firmware for the wireless card to > function properly, as well as a backported kernel. Which card ? The whole point of the DIY edition is you choose your hardware. I didn’t order my wifi card from Framework so my card is a bit older and fully supported. ---
**Author:** ![Ethan\_Blagg](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/community.frame.work/ethan_blagg/32/4140_2.png) [@Ethan\_Blagg](https://community.frame.work/u/Ethan_Blagg)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2021, 6:32pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/debian-11-on-the-framework-laptop/10395/12 "2021-11-11T18:32:57Z")
I have seen similar comments about both 5.12 and 5.14 kernels. My plan after reading a bunch of posts here and on reddit, was to try 5.13. I’d like to run debian 11, if I can get everything to work nicely, but plan to try various distros for fun if nothing else. My device is scheduled to arrive in 2 days, so I can try this soon myself. So my question is, has anyone here tried debian with 5.13? If so, are either of the sleep/Wifi issues an issue? ---
**Author:** ![neurology\_equator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cdc98d/32.png) [@neurology\_equator](https://community.frame.work/u/neurology_equator)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2021, 12:36pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/debian-11-on-the-framework-laptop/10395/13 "2021-11-12T12:36:47Z")
> [@Dan\_Coleman](#): > > why you chose to go with the unsigned kernel At the time I installed it seemed to be the only option to get the 5.14 kernel but I see that is not the case, thanks for the heads up! I just installed the signed kernel. ---
**Author:** ![neurology\_equator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cdc98d/32.png) [@neurology\_equator](https://community.frame.work/u/neurology_equator)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2021, 12:39pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/debian-11-on-the-framework-laptop/10395/14 "2021-11-12T12:39:25Z")
> [@Fabian\_Rodriguez](#): > > Which card ? The AX210 card that Framework offers. ---
**Author:** ![Dan\_Coleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@Dan\_Coleman](https://community.frame.work/u/Dan_Coleman)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2021, 10:17pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/debian-11-on-the-framework-laptop/10395/15 "2021-11-20T22:17:57Z")
If anybody is having difficulty with getting Bluetooth to work, [this comment on another thread](http://community.frame.work/t/debian-based-linux-on-the-framework-laptop/3347/27) worked for me. Unfortunately, it looks like a soft reboot borks bluetooth until you power the FW off all the way and turn it back on. Not the worst tradeoff, but something to be aware of. I’m also using the backported kernel (at time of writing, 5.14.9-2) and all the non-free firmware packages. ---
**Author:** ![Wade\_Richards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f19dbf/32.png) [@Wade\_Richards](https://community.frame.work/u/Wade_Richards)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2021, 8:31pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/debian-11-on-the-framework-laptop/10395/16 "2021-11-21T20:31:33Z")
You can get sound working on the Framework with Debian 11 with > apt install firmware-sof-signed For fingerprint reader, follow the instructions in [the Ubuntu thread](http://community.frame.work/t/fingerprint-scanner-compatibility-with-linux-ubuntu-fedora-etc/1501/131). However, it also requires support from the desktop environment for login/unlock. Gnome supports it, but KDE doesn’t yet. ---
**Author:** ![Ryan\_Horst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7feea3/32.png) [@Ryan\_Horst](https://community.frame.work/u/Ryan_Horst)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 2:26am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/debian-11-on-the-framework-laptop/10395/17 "2021-12-21T02:26:16Z")
Hi All. Just joined the Framework/Debian 11 group yesterday. XFCE if anyone cares. I found this thread because the wifi card was crashing my whole usb system after 20 minutes or so of uptime. Just upgraded to 5.14 and at least Im stable now. At home, I run wired through a usb 3.1 hub. I think Ill pick up a AC card soon and downgrade back to the LTS kernel. I dont think Ill run into a AX hotspot for quite awhile. I dont care about the fingerprint reader. I havent been able to get any external monitors working yet. I have 2 different usb c to hdmi dongles and neither work. I think Im going to have to bite the bullet and move up to a displayport or usb c monitor(s). Any ideas on that? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Ergodot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@Ergodot](https://community.frame.work/u/Ergodot)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 6:13am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/debian-11-on-the-framework-laptop/10395/18 "2021-12-21T06:13:25Z")
Hello. Framework has the hdmi add-on card you could use, instead of using a separate dongle. As for the wifi, the one I’m using is the QCNFA222, which is supported in Debian via atheros 9k driver. So far it’s been working well, but I haven’t been able to get bluetooth working. ![Screenshot from 2021-12-20 15-28-17](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/uploads/framework3/original/2X/d/d6bb46f72475044d54f01fc08049936cccb9624f.png) ---
**Author:** ![Ryan\_Horst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7feea3/32.png) [@Ryan\_Horst](https://community.frame.work/u/Ryan_Horst)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2021, 4:33pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/debian-11-on-the-framework-laptop/10395/19 "2021-12-22T16:33:10Z")
Is the expansion card known to work with linux? Im in a little over my head on this one. My desktop ran debian for years with dual monitors, but that was through the graphics card that had dual out. My research has lead me to believe that usb c to hdmi involves a converter chip in the dongle that requires a driver. Theres a company that sells dongles called displaylink that has linux drivers available, but I dont have that brand. I dont know. Im guessing a little. My dongles both work on my android tablet, which would suggest a driver exists somehwere. Displayport seems to be a much more native usb c spec. Its probably time to upgrade. ---
**Author:** ![Chiraag\_Nataraj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/97f17d/32.png) [@Chiraag\_Nataraj](https://community.frame.work/u/Chiraag_Nataraj)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2021, 5:30pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/debian-11-on-the-framework-laptop/10395/20 "2021-12-22T17:30:00Z")
I tried the HDMI expansion card when I got it and it works just fine (Debian `sid`). Since HDMI is a standard, all of the conversions should be happening in the expansion card itself (and I don’t think there need to be any special drivers?). When I plugged in a monitor (a TV in my case, since that functions as a spare monitor to test this sort of stuff), everything ‘just worked’ (including HDMI audio routing). ---
**Author:** ![Ryan\_Horst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7feea3/32.png) [@Ryan\_Horst](https://community.frame.work/u/Ryan_Horst)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2021, 6:32pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/debian-11-on-the-framework-laptop/10395/21 "2021-12-22T18:32:19Z")
According to this post: > > > Use Dell da200 usb-c adapter and Dell wd15 usb-c dock to do the test, Gpd pocket… can identify the usb-keyboard and usb mouse attached to the dock. But it can't see the monitor on the hdmi port of the dock. No new monitor in display settings. > > gpd pocket with ubuntu 16.04 > newest patch from this repo > newest kernel from matula repo (2018.1.26) > > hope it helps, thanks for your hard work to make ubuntu on gpd pocket usable! The guy who wrote some kernel module code to get it to work, says some dongles just dont work. Ive tried all the stuff he mentions in that thread. Ive actually got 3 dongles. Ones built into my hub. I really want dual 1080p monitors when Im home, so I have a dual hmdi out dongle. I dont to tie up 2 ports with single use cards. Finding that one unicorn dual hdmi dongle that works seems like too much of a scavenger hunt to me. If I cant have dual monitors, Id rather upgrade from 1080p and just get a new setup that has something more modern that hdmi. I was just hoping a $20 dongle would work. [Next page](https://community.frame.work/t/debian-11-on-the-framework-laptop/10395.md?page=2)