Kali Linux Wi-Fi Connection Issue

Hello everyone, I need assistance with a persistent NetworkManager connection failure after running penetration testing tools. I am unable to connect to any Wi-Fi network, despite the adapter appearing to be in the correct mode.

My setup is: Kali Linux (Likely based on your terminal prompt), using a TP-Link TL-WN722N v2/v3 USB Wi-Fi adapter. The chipset is Realtek RTL8188EUS (driver rtl8xxxu). TP-Link v2

The Core Problem

After running wifite (which uses airmon-ng), the adapter gets stuck in a state where NetworkManager cannot finalize the connection, even after multiple attempts to clean up the interface.

The issue is that NetworkManager reports "No network with SSID 'Wifi_f' found" immediately after the nmcli dev wifi list command clearly shows the network is available. This suggests a conflict or instability with the Realtek driver/kernel module.

💻 Diagnostics and Commands Already Executed

Here are the diagnostic outputs and the steps I have already taken, which all failed to resolve the issue:

1. Adapter Status (Correct Mode)

The adapter is successfully in the required Managed Mode, but is disconnected:

Bash

# iwconfig

wlan0 IEEE 802.11 ESSID:off/any

Mode:Managed Access Point: Not-Associated Tx-Power=20 dBm

# ... (Output continues)

2. Available Networks (NetworkManager sees the SSID)

NetworkManager successfully scans and lists the target network:

Bash

# nmcli dev wifi list

IN-USE BSSID SSID MODE CHAN RATE SIGNAL BARS SECURITY

E7:C3:2A:E6:12:A4 Wifo_Twesc Infra 1 270 Mbit/s 72 ▂▄▆_ WPA2

30:AE:7B:DE:58:8E Wifi_f Infra 10 270 Mbit/s 55 ▂▄__ WPA2

# ... (Other networks follow)

3. Connection Attempt (Immediate Failure)

The connection attempt fails instantly, claiming the network cannot be found:

Bash

# nmcli dev wifi connect "name" password "password"

Error: NetworkManager is not running.

# service NetworkManager start

# nmcli dev wifi connect "name" password "password"

Error: No network with SSID 'Tomas2' found.

4. Cleanup and Restart Attempts (Failed)

I successfully stopped the monitor mode: sudo airmon-ng stop wlan0

I manually tried to set the mode: sudo ip link set wlan0 down followed by sudo iwconfig wlan0 mode Managed and sudo ip link set wlan0 up.

I created a fixed profile using BSSID: nmcli connection add type wifi ifname wlan0 con-name "Wifi_f_Fixed" ssid "Wifi_f" wifi.bssid 37:DC:4B:DE:06:8U

I tried to activate the fixed profile: nmcli connection up Tomas2_Fixed which resulted in the same error: Error: Connection activation failed: The Wi-Fi network could not be found.

I have performed a full system reboot, but the issue persists.

Request for Help

Has anyone successfully stabilized this specific TP-Link/Realtek adapter in Kali Linux? Are there specific alternative community drivers or kernel module parameters I should use to fix the connection instability?

PS: I renamed wifi names and MAC ip adresses, just in case.

Thank you very much for your help!