The Realtek RTL8188FTV is one of the most common, budget-friendly wireless USB adapters found in the market. Often sold under generic brand names like "Mini Wireless USB Adapter" or "150Mbps Nano WiFi Dongle," this chipset powers millions of devices used in desktops, older laptops, and single-board computers like the Raspberry Pi.
Below is everything you need to know about drivers, setup, and troubleshooting for this adapter.
The driver realtek rtl8188ftv wireless lan 802.11n usb 2.0 network adapter search is one of the most common networking queries because this chipset offers incredible value at the cost of convenience. By following this guide, you can bypass the frustration of generic drivers, lock in stable high-speed connections, and even resurrect old hardware. Remember always to source your drivers from Realtek’s official repository or your adapter’s manufacturer. Happy networking.
Article last updated: March 2025. Covers Windows 11 24H2, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, and Raspberry Pi OS Bookworm.
The Realtek RTL8188FTV is a compact, high-performance 802.11n wireless LAN controller designed for USB 2.0 interfaces. It is widely used in budget-friendly USB Wi-Fi dongles to provide wireless connectivity for desktops, laptops, and smart devices like IP cameras or set-top boxes. Key Technical Specifications Standards: IEEE 802.11b/g/n compatible. Frequency: 2.4GHz band.
Max Data Rate: Up to 150 Mbps (standard) or 300 Mbps in specific configurations. Interface: High-speed USB 2.0/1.1.
Design: 1T1R (one transmit and one receive path) single-chip solution. Security: Supports WPA, WPA2, and 802.11i authentication. Driver Download & Installation Complete Guide to the Realtek RTL8188FTV Wireless LAN 802
Drivers for this adapter are essential for the hardware to communicate with your operating system. Depending on your platform, you can find them through the following sources: rtl8188 150Mbps 2.4GHz USB 2.0 WiFi Adapter
Realtek RTL8188FTV is a widely used 2.4GHz 802.11n Wi-Fi adapter often found in low-cost USB dongles, set-top boxes, and IP cameras. How to Install Drivers Automatic Update (Recommended) Plug the adapter into a USB port. Device Manager (right-click the Start button and select it). Network adapters , right-click the Realtek/802.11n entry, and select Update driver Search automatically for drivers . If Windows doesn't find one, click Search for updated drivers on Windows Update Microsoft Update Catalog
You can download the official verified drivers directly from the Microsoft Update Catalog Manual Installation If you have a driver folder, select Browse my computer for driver software in Device Manager. Point to the folder containing the files (often named netrtwlanu.inf Microsoft Update Catalog Compatibility Operating Systems
: Supports Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11 (both 32-bit and 64-bit). Hardware ID : This adapter is typically identified by the hardware ID USB\VID_0BDA&PID_F179 Troubleshooting
Realtek RTL8188FTV Wireless LAN 802.11n USB 2.0 Network Adapter
is a compact, single-chip wireless solution designed for high-performance and low-power consumption in devices like PCs, TVs, and IP cameras. Key Specifications Wireless Standard : Complies with IEEE 802.11b/g/n protocols. Frequency Band : Operates on the 2.4 GHz band only (no 5 GHz support). Maximum Data Rate : Supports theoretical speeds up to 150 Mbps. : USB 2.0 High-Speed, backward compatible with USB 1.1. : Supports WEP, WPA, and WPA2-PSK encryption standards. Go to Realtek’s official download center
: Includes Wake on Wireless LAN (WoWLAN), antenna diversity, and integrated PA/LNA/TRSW. Compatibility
The adapter is widely supported across multiple operating systems, often as a plug-and-play device on newer versions: How to install RTL8188FTV (802.11n) WIFI driver? : r/Fedora 28 Mar 2022 —
The only copr I see is out of date. You should be able to follow the instructions at https://github.com/kelebek333/rtl8188fu/#how-
Headline: How to Fix the Realtek RTL8188FTV Wireless Adapter (Driver Issues & Linux Support)
Post Body:
If you have a cheap, small USB Wi-Fi dongle, chances are it runs the Realtek RTL8188FTV chipset. While it’s great for reviving old desktops or adding Wi-Fi to a Raspberry Pi, the drivers can be a nightmare—especially on Linux. Conclusion The driver realtek rtl8188ftv wireless lan 802
Here is everything you need to know to get the "Realtek RTL8188FTV Wireless LAN 802.11n USB 2.0 Network Adapter" working.
Linux support for the RTL8188FTV is excellent, but it may require compiling the source code if it is not included in your kernel by default.
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgradesudo apt install build-essential dkms git linux-headers-$(uname -r)rtl8188ftv-driver):
git clone https://github.com/kelebek333/rtl8188fu
(Note: Repository names vary as this is an open-source community effort).sudo make
sudo make install
sudo modprobe 8188fuThe RTL8188FTV has no official macOS driver beyond macOS High Sierra (10.13). For newer versions (Ventura, Sonoma, Sequoia), expect kernel panics.
Legacy method (OS X 10.9 - 10.13):
wirelessdriverarchive.com (be cautious)..pkg file.Modern alternative: Do not use this adapter on Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) Macs. Instead, buy a modern USB-C Wi-Fi 6 adapter.
Run in terminal:
lsusb
Look for 0bda:ffef (the USB vendor ID for Realtek FTV chips).
IEEE 802.11b/g/n. Set Bandwidth to 20/40 MHz Auto. Disable Bluetooth Coexistence.