@MattTheQuick the kernel doesn’t “just remove” WiFi driver. There would’ve been a lot of discussion for why to do that (if it happened).
It’s more likely that specific kernel module didn’t get built, or maybe the module needs specific firmware file that your system doesn’t have (did you update `linux-firmware`?)
@MattTheQuick well then to dig in you need to look at your `lsmod` command to see if the module is loaded. If it is - check `ip a` or `ifconfig -a` to check that maybe it works and just isn’t connected. If it’s not there - check `dmesg` output and see if there are errors mentioned about the WiFi or the module.
You can also try running `modprobe <module name>` to try and load your WiFi driver. If you don’t know the module name for your driver - you can use ‘lspci -k` or `lsusb` to see the exact model of your device and you can use that to find module name on the web.
@MattTheQuick wifi drivers on macs is a mess, thanks to the crappy support of Realtek drivers. This is a very known issue with the wifi cards used in *all* macs. Blame Realtek.
As was pointed out, the driver code provided by Realtek isn't compatible anymore with the new(er) kernel(s), so that doesn't get built or used by the kernel anymore, so the "driver disappears".
@MattTheQuick Pretty much, or see if you can swap out the wifi card in a mac mini for a Intel one.
Broadcom and Realtek are horrible with driver support. They provide drivers for a very limited kernel subset (so their stuff works on Android) and you *maybe* get one or two versions after that, but that's it. That's why I avoid them both like the plague
Matt Quick
Hexorg
Sebastiaan