Connecting to the internet is one of the first steps after installing a Linux system. Thankfully, modern Linux distributions make it relatively easy — whether you’re on Wi-Fi or Ethernet. This guide will show you how to connect using both Graphical Interface (GUI) and the Command Line, and how to troubleshoot common connection problems.
- 📡 Types of Internet Connections in Linux
- 🖼️ GUI Method: How to Connect to the Internet (Most Distros)
- ✅ Connect to a Wired Network (Ethernet)
- ✅ Connect to a Wireless Network (Wi-Fi)
- Common GUI Tools for Network:
- 💻 Terminal Method: Connect Using Command Line
- 🧪 Test Your Internet Connection
- 🛠️ Common Networking Troubleshooting Steps
- 📦 Install Missing Wi-Fi Drivers
- 📄 Backup Tip: Create a Network Troubleshooting Script
- 🧾 Quick Reference Commands
- ✅ Conclusion
Perfect for beginners, whether you’re on Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Fedora, or any mainstream distro.
📡 Types of Internet Connections in Linux
| Connection Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Wired (Ethernet) | Physical cable plugged into your computer or laptop |
| Wireless (Wi-Fi) | Connecting to a wireless router/network |
| Mobile (USB Tethering, Hotspot) | Using phone data via USB or Wi-Fi |
🖼️ GUI Method: How to Connect to the Internet (Most Distros)
Most desktop environments (like GNOME, KDE, XFCE) offer easy ways to manage internet connections using a graphical interface.
✅ Connect to a Wired Network (Ethernet)
- Plug in your Ethernet cable
- Your system will usually connect automatically
- Check for the connection icon in the system tray (usually top or bottom bar)
💡 If not connected:
- Go to Settings > Network
- Ensure the Wired connection is turned ON
✅ Connect to a Wireless Network (Wi-Fi)
- Click on the network icon in the panel/tray
- Select your Wi-Fi network name (SSID)
- Enter your Wi-Fi password
- Click Connect
📷 Tip: Show screenshot of GNOME or KDE Wi-Fi selector for visuals (optional)
Common GUI Tools for Network:
| Desktop Environment | Network Tool |
|---|---|
| GNOME (Ubuntu) | Settings > Wi-Fi or top-right menu |
| KDE Plasma | NetworkManager Applet |
| XFCE | nm-applet (network icon) |
| Cinnamon (Linux Mint) | Network Settings |
💻 Terminal Method: Connect Using Command Line
Useful for server setups, minimal installs, or troubleshooting without a GUI.
🔗 Check Network Interfaces
ip a
or
ifconfig # (may need `net-tools` installed)
✅ Connect to Ethernet (Wired)
Most distros will connect automatically to Ethernet. To check status:
ping -c 3 google.com
If that works, you’re online.
✅ Connect to Wi-Fi via Terminal
Step 1: List Available Wi-Fi Networks
nmcli device wifi list
Step 2: Connect to Wi-Fi
nmcli device wifi connect "NetworkName" password "YourPassword"
Replace "NetworkName" with your SSID and "YourPassword" with your Wi-Fi password.
Example:
nmcli device wifi connect "MyWiFi" password "mypassword123"
🧪 Test Your Internet Connection
Check if you’re online:
ping -c 4 google.com
Check your IP address:
ip a
🛠️ Common Networking Troubleshooting Steps
❌ Problem: “No Internet” or “Unreachable”
- Check if airplane mode is ON
- Restart your router
- Reboot your Linux system
- Try reconnecting to Wi-Fi
🔁 Restart the Network Service
sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager
Or on older systems:
sudo service network-manager restart
🔍 View Network Logs
journalctl -u NetworkManager
Useful to diagnose Wi-Fi authentication or driver issues.
📦 Install Missing Wi-Fi Drivers
Sometimes Wi-Fi doesn’t work out-of-the-box due to missing drivers (especially Broadcom chips).
On Ubuntu-based systems:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install bcmwl-kernel-source
Then reboot.
📄 Backup Tip: Create a Network Troubleshooting Script
Make a simple script to diagnose issues:
nano network-check.sh
Paste:
#!/bin/bash
echo "=== Checking Network Interfaces ==="
ip a
echo "=== Checking Connection to Google ==="
ping -c 3 google.com
echo "=== Listing Available Wi-Fi Networks ==="
nmcli device wifi list
Make it executable:
chmod +x network-check.sh
./network-check.sh
🧾 Quick Reference Commands
| Task | Command Example |
|---|---|
| Show network interfaces | ip a or ifconfig |
| Scan Wi-Fi networks | nmcli device wifi list |
| Connect to Wi-Fi | nmcli device wifi connect "SSID" password "PASS" |
| Ping a website | ping -c 4 google.com |
| Restart network manager | sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager |
| Show logs | journalctl -u NetworkManager |
✅ Conclusion
Getting online with Linux is usually straightforward — and if something doesn’t work, Linux gives you the tools to dig in and fix it. Whether you’re using a full desktop environment or just the terminal, you can stay connected with a few simple commands or clicks.
Once you’re connected, you’re ready to update your system, install software, and start exploring Linux even further.
