I own 2 Framework Laptops, a 13 and a 16, both ship with Mediatek MT7925 WiFi cards. They tend to be buggy/flaky with Fedora. Lots of WiFi drops, especially with multiple access points, 6 GHz, and MLO. In both cases, I’ve swapped them out with Intel cards with much better and more reliable results. If anyone has the same issue, the one I now use is an Intel AX210.
Framework, please consider switching to different wireless cards since your products are marketed to work well with Fedora.**
Which Linux distro are you using?**
Fedora Linux Workstation Edition
Which release version?
44
Which kernel are you using?
Linux 7.2.5-200.fc44.x86_64
Which BIOS version are you using?
4.02
Which Framework Laptop 13 model are you using?
AMD Ryzen™ AI 300 Series
The MT79xx cards are solid — but they do tend to expose more issues with poorly-behaving APs, precisely because they’re more standards-compliant than the AX210. The AX210 actually supports fewer Wi-Fi features, so it sidesteps problems by simply not implementing the things that trip up buggy access points.
All RF is terrible, and the AX210 is no angel either. For what it’s worth, I have the exact same card (MT7925) with a very similar OS/kernel setup, and I’ve had zero problems across 7 out of 8 APs I’ve tested with.
MLO is likely your main issue. Multi-Link Operation is in the same state that encryption was back in the 802.11a/b days — every vendor is free to implement it differently, and it’s causing a huge number of interoperability problems right now. The general consensus is to disable MLO on your AP if you’re hitting connection issues. Notably, the AX210 doesn’t support MLO at all, which is likely why it “just works” — it never attempts the problematic negotiation in the first place.
I’d recommend taking a look at some of the OpenWrt forum threads on MLO interop issues:
More broadly, the MT79xx series cards have been the best, most versatile, and generally best-performing Wi-Fi cards on Linux since the ath9k era. The mt76 driver is actively maintained and upstream in mainline — it’s not going anywhere.
Interesting, I have the MT7925e in my new AMD-based FW 13 Pro, and it often can’t auth to my access point. For now I am just rebooting the AP and everything works for a day or two. I wonder if I might take a punt on a new card… it’s only £20-£30!
That’s helpful, thanks for sharing this. It becomes trickier when the wireless network services other devices that DO handle multiple APs and MLO well–iPhones are probably a good example. Apple has the resources to make sure they run smoothly on just about any network.
There are benefits to MLO even though, as you say, the implementation isn’t standardized. I happen to use UniFi networking products at home with lots of devices connected–the MT79xx cards are the only ones that have exhibited a level of fussiness that I find unacceptable.
You’re probably better off replacing your AP to be honest. I dislike ubiquity for a number of reasons. GL-Net FlintV2’s are very good capable AP’s and beat almost all of the big box store options at a fraction of the price. If you want something 10 Gigabit capable which could in theory actually make MLO useful you are stuck in a particular ecosystem. FlintV2’s deliver 2 Gigabit over wireless without MLO and have 2.5G backhaul - and work better than any of the mesh systems on the market and can be had for peanuts .
I’m not familiar with GL-Net products, will have to look into them.
I’ve been very happy with UniFi. It’s more cost effective and less effort to swap out a $20 WiFi card (which completely fixes the issue) and stay with a system I know and like rather than replace my networking equipment. Also, because Framework makes disassembly so easy, I can always invest another 10 minutes and swap the card back to the Mediatek one once support evolves to a point of reliability.
Even as a fan of the Flint 2, which I’ve recommended to dozens of people looking to move away from ISP supplied crap.
I still found the single pane of glass from Unifi more compelling in my use case (multigig/homelab) and outweighed a few quirks on stuff I dont consider as important (if you need speed and low latency, use a damn wire xD)