Driver — Bc-96ac
If you’re here, you’ve probably just installed Linux (or updated Windows) and noticed your wireless adapter showing up as something cryptic like BC-96AC. Don’t worry — you’re not alone. This chipset has caused headaches for many users, but with the right driver, it works perfectly.
In this post, I’ll cover:
For Ubuntu 20.04+, the easiest method is using the rtl8821ce driver from the community: bc-96ac driver
sudo apt update
sudo apt install git dkms build-essential
git clone https://github.com/tomaspinho/rtl8821ce.git
cd rtl8821ce
sudo ./dkms-install.sh
Reboot. Wi-Fi should now appear.
For Ubuntu 22.04+, you may need a newer fork: If you’re here, you’ve probably just installed Linux
git clone https://github.com/aircrack-ng/rtl8812au.git
cd rtl8812au
sudo make dkms_install
Check the "DriverPack Solution" archive or the manufacturer’s FTP (if available). Look for version 2.0.7.15 or older. Be aware that Windows 7 is end-of-life.
The BC-96AC driver is a software interface designed to support Broadcom 802.11ac Wi-Fi chipsets commonly found in laptops, embedded systems, and network adapters. The "96AC" likely refers to a class of chips supporting the Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) standard, operating in the 5 GHz band with backward compatibility to 2.4 GHz. Reboot
Yes. Most drivers from 2020 onward work perfectly. If you encounter issues, run the installer in Windows 8 compatibility mode.
Note: If
bc-96acrefers to a different device (audio, display, USB-to-serial, etc.), this write-up would need to be adjusted accordingly.
If you can provide any extra context — like where you saw the name (dmesg, device manager, a product listing, or a config file) — I can make the write-up much more precise and accurate.