After Upgrading Nobara 41 to Nobara 42, Internet Not Working – How to Fix

Upgrading an operating system is always exciting, as it usually comes with new features, security patches, and performance improvements. However, sometimes the process does not go as smoothly as expected. A common issue many users have reported after upgrading Nobara 41 to Nobara 42 is that their internet connection suddenly stops working.

If you’re facing this problem, don’t worry — it’s usually related to network drivers, kernel updates, or misconfigured settings. Below, we’ll explore the most common causes and step-by-step fixes to get your internet back online.

Possible Reasons Why Internet Stops Working After Nobara Upgrade

When you move from Nobara 41 to Nobara 42, certain components of the system are updated, which can impact connectivity. The most common reasons include:

1. Kernel or Driver Incompatibility – Nobara 42 may use a newer Linux kernel, and sometimes the Wi-Fi or Ethernet drivers don’t load correctly.
2. Network Manager Issues – The upgrade can reset or misconfigure your Network Manager settings.
3. Firmware Missing – Some Wi-Fi adapters require proprietary firmware packages that may not be reinstalled after an upgrade.
4. Firewall or SELinux Rules – Security settings may block network services after migration.
5. DNS or DHCP Issues – Even if your adapter is detected, improper DNS or DHCP configuration can prevent internet access.

Step-by-Step Fixes for Internet Issues on Nobara 42

1. Check If the Network Adapter Is Detected

Open a terminal and run:

nmcli device

This command lists all network devices. If your Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter is missing, it indicates a driver or kernel module issue.

2. Restart Network Manager

Sometimes, the network service doesn’t start correctly after an upgrade. Restart it using:

sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager

After restarting, try reconnecting to your network.

3. Reinstall or Update Network Drivers

If your adapter is not detected, reinstalling drivers may solve the issue.

For Intel Wi-Fi adapters

sudo dnf install iwlwifi-firmware

For Broadcom adapters

sudo dnf install broadcom-wl

Then, reboot your system.

4. Update System Packages

It’s possible that after upgrading, some required packages were not fully installed. Run:

sudo dnf update --refresh
sudo dnf upgrade

This ensures all dependencies, including network-related ones, are up to date.

5. Check Firewall and SELinux

If you are connected to Wi-Fi but unable to browse, firewall or SELinux restrictions may be causing the problem.

Check firewall status:

sudo systemctl status firewalld

If necessary, temporarily disable it

sudo systemctl stop firewalld

Check SELinux

sestatus

If it shows enforcing, try setting it to permissive temporarily:

sudo setenforce 0

6. Reset Network Settings

If nothing works, resetting network settings may resolve conflicts:

nmcli networking off
nmcli networking on

Or delete and re-add your connection:

nmcli connection delete <connection-name>
nmcli device wifi connect <SSID> password <your-password>

7. Kernel Rollback (Last Resort)

If the issue is due to a kernel update, you can boot into the previous Nobara 41 kernel to check if networking works:

• Reboot your system.
• At the GRUB menu, select “Advanced Options.”
• Choose the older kernel version.

If the internet works with the old kernel, you’ll need to wait for a patched driver in Nobara 42 or manually install the correct one.

Conclusion

Losing internet connectivity after upgrading from Nobara 41 to Nobara 42 can be frustrating, but in most cases, the issue lies with drivers or network manager configurations. By checking adapter detection, reinstalling drivers, updating system packages, and resetting network settings, you should be able to restore your connection.

If none of the above methods work, you may need to report the issue on the Nobara Project forums or GitHub so developers can provide a patch for your specific hardware.

A smooth upgrade should improve your system, not break it — but when things go wrong, the fixes above will help you get back online quickly.

FAQs

Q1. Why did my internet stop working after upgrading to Nobara 42?

This usually happens due to driver incompatibility, kernel changes, or misconfigured Network Manager settings after the upgrade.

Q2. How do I check if my Wi-Fi adapter is detected in Nobara 42?

Open a terminal and run nmcli device. If your Wi-Fi card doesn’t appear, it means the driver is missing or not loaded.

Q3. How can I reinstall Wi-Fi drivers in Nobara 42?

Depending on your adapter, install firmware using sudo dnf install iwlwifi-firmware for Intel or sudo dnf install broadcom-wl for Broadcom devices.

Q4. My device connects to Wi-Fi but I can’t browse. What should I do?

This could be a firewall or DNS issue. Try disabling the firewall temporarily or reset network settings with nmcli networking off then nmcli networking on.

Q5. Can I roll back to the previous kernel if nothing works?

Yes, reboot your system, open the GRUB menu, and select the older kernel from Nobara 41 to restore internet until a permanent fix is released.