ALFA AWUS036ACH Driver Install Guide for China: Kali Linux, Ubuntu, Debian & Raspberry Pi

You just got the AWUS036ACH and your Linux machine doesn’t recognize it. That’s normal — this chip needs the RTL8812AU driver, and it’s not plug-and-play. This guide walks you through the full install in about 30 minutes, using only domestic mirrors. No GitHub access needed.

Make sure you have these ready:

Before You Start

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Make sure you have these ready:

1. ALFA AWUS036ACH adapter
2. USB cable (the one that came in the box works fine)
3. A powered USB hub — required if you’re on Raspberry Pi
4. Active internet connection to reach domestic mirrors

Plug in the adapter, then confirm your system sees it:

lsusb

Look for this in the output:

Bus 001 Device 003: ID 0bda:8812 Realtek Semiconductor Corp.

If you see 0bda:8812, the adapter is detected. Move to your OS section below.

If you don’t see it, try a different USB port or swap the cable, then run lsusb again.

Choose Your Operating System

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Jump to the right section for your OS:

• Kali Linux
• Ubuntu 22.04 / 24.04
• Debian
• Raspberry Pi 4B / 5

Already installed? Skip to:

• Enable Monitor Mode
• Test Packet Injection
• VM USB Passthrough

Kali Linux

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Kali comes with strong wireless tooling built in. Getting the AWUS036ACH driver running takes four steps. Start by switching to a fast Chinese mirror so every download stays quick.

Step 1: Switch to China Mirror

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Open your sources list in the terminal.

sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list

Delete whatever is there, then paste this line:

deb http://mirrors.ustc.edu.cn/kali kali-rolling main contrib non-free non-free-firmware

Save the file: press Ctrl+O, then Enter, then Ctrl+X to exit. Refresh the package index.

sudo apt update

Backup mirror: If 中科大 (USTC) is slow on your connection, use 清华 (Tsinghua) instead: deb https://mirrors.tuna.tsinghua.edu.cn/kali kali-rolling main contrib non-free non-free-firmware

Step 2: Install the Driver

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Kali’s package repository includes a prebuilt DKMS driver. Install it with one command.

sudo apt install -y realtek-rtl88xxau-dkms

DKMS automatically recompiles the driver whenever your kernel updates, so you will not need to reinstall manually after an upgrade.

Verify the driver loaded correctly.

modinfo 88XXau | grep -E "filename|version"

You should see a filename line ending in .ko and a version line showing a version string like 5.6.4.2. If both appear, the driver is ready.

Step 2 (Alternative): Manual Compile from Source

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Only follow this section if the apt install above failed. First install the build dependencies.

sudo apt install -y git dkms build-essential libelf-dev linux-headers-$(uname -r)

Download the driver source from Gitee.

git clone https://gitee.com/mirrors/rtl8812au.git

NOTE: If that URL does not load, search Gitee for rtl8812au and pick the most recently updated fork. You can also download a source archive directly from files.alfa.com.tw.

Move into the cloned directory, then compile and install.

make
sudo make install
sudo dkms add .
sudo dkms install rtl8812au/$(cat VERSION)

Load the driver into the running kernel.

sudo modprobe 88XXau

Step 3: Enable Monitor Mode

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Before putting the adapter into monitor mode, check which interface name your system assigned it.

iwconfig

Look for a wlan0 or wlan1 entry. Use that name in the commands below.

Stop NetworkManager and wpa_supplicant — both fight over the adapter and will block monitor mode.

sudo airmon-ng check kill
sudo airmon-ng start wlan0

Confirm the switch worked.

iwconfig

Look for an entry like wlan0mon with Mode:Monitor. When you see that, the adapter is ready for packet capture.

Step 4: Test Packet Injection

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Run the injection test against the monitor interface.

sudo aireplay-ng --test wlan0mon

A successful result looks like this:

Trying broadcast probe requests...
Injection is working!
Found 1 AP

If the test fails, reboot the machine and run the test again. If it still fails after a reboot, confirm no other process holds the interface — run iwconfig and make sure only wlan0mon appears, with nothing else claiming the adapter.

Ubuntu 22.04 / 24.04

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Ubuntu splits into two branches with different package file formats. The steps below handle both. Use 阿里云 (Aliyun) as your mirror — it’s fast, reliable, and maintained by Alibaba.

Step 1: Switch to China Mirror

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Pick your Ubuntu version and follow that path only.

Ubuntu 24.04 (Noble)

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Open the new DEB822-format sources file:

sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ubuntu.sources

Delete everything in the file and paste this exact content:

Types: deb
URIs: http://mirrors.aliyun.com/ubuntu/
Suites: noble noble-updates noble-security
Components: main restricted universe multiverse
Signed-By: /usr/share/keyrings/ubuntu-archive-keyring.gpg

Save with Ctrl+O, then exit with Ctrl+X.

Ubuntu 22.04 (Jammy)

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Open the classic sources file instead:

sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list

Replace all existing lines with:

deb http://mirrors.aliyun.com/ubuntu/ jammy main restricted universe multiverse
deb http://mirrors.aliyun.com/ubuntu/ jammy-updates main restricted universe multiverse
deb http://mirrors.aliyun.com/ubuntu/ jammy-security main restricted universe multiverse

Save and exit the same way (Ctrl+O, then Ctrl+X).

Refresh the package index

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Run this for both versions after editing your sources file:

sudo apt update

Step 2: Install Build Dependencies

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The driver compiles from source, so you need the kernel headers and build tools first:

sudo apt install -y git dkms build-essential libelf-dev linux-headers-$(uname -r)

This pulls in gcc, make, and the exact headers that match your running kernel. The $(uname -r) part auto-detects your kernel version — no need to type it manually.

Step 3: Download Driver Source (China Mirror)

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Clone the driver repository from Gitee, which is accessible inside China:

git clone https://gitee.com/mirrors/rtl8812au.git

Then move into the cloned folder:

cd rtl8812au

Note: If that URL times out or returns a 404, go to gitee.com and search for rtl8812au. Pick the fork with the most recent commit date.

Step 4: Compile and Install

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Build the kernel module from source:

make

Install it into the system:

sudo make install

Register the module with DKMS so it survives kernel upgrades:

sudo dkms add .
sudo dkms install rtl8812au/$(cat VERSION)

Load the module into the running kernel:

sudo modprobe 88XXau

Verify the module loaded correctly:

modinfo 88XXau | grep filename

You should see a path ending in 88XXau.ko or similar. If the command returns output, the driver is active.

Step 5: Enable Monitor Mode

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First, kill any processes that might interfere with the wireless interface:

sudo airmon-ng check kill

Then put the adapter into monitor mode:

sudo airmon-ng start wlan0

Note: Your interface may be named wlan1 instead of wlan0. Run iwconfig first to see all wireless interfaces listed, then substitute the correct name in the command above.

Step 6: Test Packet Injection

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With the adapter in monitor mode, run the injection test:

sudo aireplay-ng --test wlan0mon

A successful result shows lines like Injection is working!. If you see errors about the interface, double-check that monitor mode is active with iwconfig wlan0mon.

Debian

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Debian’s package manager points to overseas servers by default. Switching to 清华大学 (Tsinghua University) mirror brings download speeds from overseas crawl to local sprint.

Step 1: Switch to China Mirror

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Open the sources list:

sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list

Delete everything inside and paste these three lines (Debian 12 Bookworm):

deb https://mirrors.tuna.tsinghua.edu.cn/debian/ bookworm main contrib non-free non-free-firmware
deb https://mirrors.tuna.tsinghua.edu.cn/debian/ bookworm-updates main contrib non-free non-free-firmware
deb https://mirrors.tuna.tsinghua.edu.cn/debian-security bookworm-security main contrib non-free non-free-firmware

Save with Ctrl+O, then exit with Ctrl+X. Refresh the package index:

sudo apt update

Step 2: Install Build Dependencies

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The AWUS036ACH driver compiles from source, so you need the kernel headers and build tools:

sudo apt install -y git dkms build-essential libelf-dev linux-headers-$(uname -r)

This command tailors the header package to your running kernel version automatically.

Step 3: Download Driver Source (China Mirror)

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Clone the driver repository from Gitee:

git clone https://gitee.com/mirrors/rtl8812au.git

Move into the project folder:

cd rtl8812au

Can’t reach that URL? Search Gitee for rtl8812au and pick the most recently updated fork.

Step 4: Compile and Install

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Run these commands in sequence inside the rtl8812au folder:

make
sudo make install
sudo dkms add .
sudo dkms install rtl8812au/$(cat VERSION)
sudo modprobe 88XXau

dkms registers the driver so it survives kernel updates automatically.

Step 5: Enable Monitor Mode

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Kill interfering processes before switching modes:

sudo airmon-ng check kill

Start monitor mode on your adapter:

sudo airmon-ng start wlan0

If airmon-ng is missing, install it first:

sudo apt install -y aircrack-ng

Confirm the interface came up:

iwconfig

Look for an interface named wlan0mon in the output.

Step 6: Test Packet Injection

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sudo aireplay-ng --test wlan0mon

A stream of injection test results confirms the adapter works. You’re ready to go.

Raspberry Pi 4B / 5

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The AWUS036ACH draws ~500mW. Plugging it directly into a Raspberry Pi USB port can cause the Pi to throttle or restart under load. Always use a powered USB hub.

Step 1: Download Kali Linux ARM64 Image

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Go to the official Kali ARM downloads page: https://www.kali.org/get-kali/#kali-arm

Pick Raspberry Pi 4 (64-bit) or Raspberry Pi 5 (64-bit) to match your board. Do not download the 32-bit image — the driver build requires a 64-bit kernel.

China mirror: If kali.org loads slowly, try 华为云 instead: https://repo.huaweicloud.com/kali-images/ Browse to the latest release folder and download the same ARM64 image from there.

Step 2: Flash to MicroSD

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Insert your microSD card, then check its device path before writing anything.

lsblk

Find your card in the list — it will show as something like sdb or mmcblk0. Then flash the image, replacing /dev/sdX with your actual path.

# Replace /dev/sdX with your actual SD card (check with lsblk)
sudo dd if=kali-linux-2025.1-raspberry-pi-arm64.img of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress conv=fsync
sync

Wait for sync to finish before pulling the card. Boot the Pi from the card. Default credentials after boot: kali / kali.

Step 3: Switch to China Mirror

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After first boot, open the package sources file.

sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list

Delete everything in the file and replace it with this single line:

deb http://mirrors.ustc.edu.cn/kali kali-rolling main contrib non-free non-free-firmware

Save: press Ctrl+O, then Enter, then Ctrl+X. Now apply the mirror and upgrade the system.

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade -y
sudo reboot

The reboot picks up any kernel updates before you install the driver.

Step 4: Install Driver (ARM64)

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The DKMS package works on ARM64 exactly the same as x86 — no special steps needed.

sudo apt install -y realtek-rtl88xxau-dkms

If that command returns an error saying the package is not found, compile the driver from source instead.

sudo apt install -y git dkms build-essential libelf-dev linux-headers-$(uname -r)
git clone https://gitee.com/mirrors/rtl8812au.git
cd rtl8812au
make
sudo make install
sudo dkms add .
sudo dkms install rtl8812au/$(cat VERSION)
sudo modprobe 88XXau

Step 5: Enable Monitor Mode

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Before touching the adapter, check which interface name the Pi assigned it.

iwconfig

On a Pi with a built-in Wi-Fi chip, the AWUS036ACH shows up as wlan1 — the built-in radio takes wlan0. Use whatever name iwconfig reported above.

sudo airmon-ng check kill
sudo airmon-ng start wlan1

Run iwconfig again and look for an entry ending in mon — wlan1mon in the typical Pi case — with Mode:Monitor. That confirms the adapter switched successfully.

Step 6: Test Packet Injection

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sudo aireplay-ng --test wlan1mon

Replace wlan1mon with whatever monitor interface name appeared in Step 5. A working adapter prints Injection is working!. If the test fails, reboot and try once more. A bad USB connection through an unpowered hub is the most common cause on Pi — double-check you are using the powered hub.

Virtual Machine USB Passthrough

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Running Kali Linux inside a VM on macOS or Windows? You need to pass the USB adapter through to the guest OS.

VirtualBox

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1. With the VM powered off, go to Settings → USB.
2. Enable USB 3.0 (xHCI) Controller.
3. Click the + icon to add a USB filter.
4. Select: Realtek 802.11ac NIC […] (ID: 0bda:8812).
5. Start the VM — the adapter appears inside Kali.

Inside the VM, run lsusb to confirm 0bda:8812 appears, then follow the Kali Linux steps above.

VMware Fusion (macOS) / VMware Workstation (Windows)

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1. Start the VM.
2. In the menu: Virtual Machine → USB & Bluetooth.
3. Find Realtek 802.11ac NIC and click Connect.
4. The adapter disconnects from the host and appears inside the VM.

Run lsusb inside the VM to confirm, then follow the Kali Linux steps above.

A Note on VIF (Virtual Interface)

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The RTL8812AU chip in the AWUS036ACH has limited VIF support on Linux. You cannot reliably run managed mode and monitor mode (or AP mode) at the same time on the same adapter.

If your workflow needs VIF — for example, running fake APs while monitoring simultaneously — the AWUS036ACH is the wrong tool. Check the AWUS036ACM install guide instead. That adapter uses the MT7612U chip, which has full kernel-native VIF support and handles simultaneous virtual interfaces without patches.

Troubleshooting

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China Mirror Reference

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All resources used in this guide — no GitHub required:

More Alfa Adapter Guides for China

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This is part of the Alfa China Install Guide series. Each article covers one adapter model:

• AWUS036ACH ← you are here
• AWUS036ACM China Install Guide — MT7612U, best VIF support
• AWUS036ACS China Install Guide
• AWUS036AX China Install Guide
• AWUS036AXER China Install Guide
• AWUS036AXM China Install Guide
• AWUS036AXML China Install Guide
• AWUS036EAC China Install Guide

Questions? Leave a comment below or contact us at yupitek.com.

References

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1. aircrack-ng Official Documentation
2. ALFA Network Official Website
3. Kali Linux Official Documentation
4. Gitee rtl8812au Mirror
5. Realtek RTL8812AU Driver