Fix Internet Issues on Limux with Speedify by Combining Starlink, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, 4G / 5G Cellular
Do you have moments when internet is not working on your Linux computer? Even a few seconds of a drop can ruin your video calls, online meetings and streaming.
You can avoid this by using Speedify to combine all available internet connections, including Wi-Fi, tethered smartphones, wired Ethernet, Starlink and other satellite, 4G / 5G cellular. You will get more bandwidth and a lower latency for all your internet traffic.
Use Speedify to increase your bandwidth: Combine internet connection sources like WiFi, 4G, 5G, & Starlink together
Combine multiple internet connections to fix slow Internet
Speedify is the only app that seamlessly combines all of your connections, including WiFi, 4G, 5G, Ethernet, and Starlink, into one stronger connection to keep you online and secure.
In most cases, Speedify will automatically detect and start using any available Internet connections on your device while intelligently distributing your online traffic between them for optimal performance. If you need help we have quick start guides available for most common set ups.
Combine personal hotspots for better bandwidth and signal strength
Speedify's Pair & Share is a feature that enables you to connect to multiple hotspots at the same time and wirelessly share LTE, 4G, and 5G cellular connections back and forth between multiple Speedify users on the same local network to create a faster, more reliable connection for everyone.
For the first time, it's possible to share cellular data between multiple devices, including PCs, Macs, iPhones and Androids. Use multiple phones as hotspots for internet access and get increased bandwidth and mobile failover for all paired devices.
Why Your Linux Internet Keeps Dropping
Losing internet connectivity on Linux involves network stack configuration, driver compatibility, and service-level factors that require systematic diagnosis. Unlike proprietary operating systems, Linux exposes the entire network stack to user configuration, making both granular control and potential misconfiguration possible.
When your Linux system appears connected but can't access the internet, isolating which layer failed determines your resolution path.
The most common reasons this would happen involve missing or incompatible network drivers, NetworkManager daemon failures, incorrect IP configuration, DNS resolution issues, and routing table corruption. Each requires specific troubleshooting approaches targeting the appropriate system layer.
Common Reasons Linux Internet Is Now Working
Missing or Incompatible Network Drivers for Linux
Linux requires kernel drivers for your network hardware. Certain network adapters, particularly Wi-Fi cards, lack open-source drivers in some distributions, requiring proprietary drivers from manufacturers. Without proper drivers, the kernel can't initialize the network interface at all. Even present drivers may become incompatible after kernel updates, requiring recompilation or installation of updated versions.
NetworkManager Service Misconfiguration
Most modern Linux distributions use NetworkManager to manage network connections. This daemon can enter corrupted states, losing configuration files or entering deadlock conditions where it reports connections while the kernel layer can't pass traffic. NetworkManager sometimes conflicts with other network services, creating unpredictable connectivity behavior.
Incorrect IP Configuration and DHCP Failures
Your Linux system obtains IP addresses through DHCP or requires manual static IP configuration. Corrupted DHCP client leases, misconfigured static addresses, or mismatched subnet masks prevent proper IP assignment. Your interface appears "up" while lacking valid routing information for reaching external networks.
Routing Table Corruption
Linux maintains explicit routing tables directing packets to appropriate network interfaces. Corrupted routes, missing default gateways, or incomplete routing rules prevent packets from reaching your ISP's infrastructure even when physical connectivity exists. Viewing the routing table with IP route often reveals immediately obvious misconfigurations.
DNS Resolution Service Failures
Linux uses systemd-resolved or alternative DNS services to translate hostnames into IP addresses. These services can fail silently, leaving DNS queries unanswered despite valid network connectivity. Configuration files like /etc/resolv.conf sometimes contain invalid DNS server addresses or become overwritten by DHCP configuration.
Firewall Rules Blocking All Traffic
iptables or UFW firewall rules occasionally become misconfigured, blocking all inbound and outbound traffic inadvertently. A single missing "accept" rule can silently drop all packets, creating complete connectivity loss despite functional network hardware and routing.
Linux Kernel Network Stack Issues
Occasionally, kernel bugs or incomplete module loading prevent proper network stack initialization. Missing kernel modules for TCP, UDP, or specific protocols can occur after incomplete system updates. These rare but persistent issues require kernel module verification or kernel recompilation.
How People Usually Fix Internet Connection Problems on Linux
Restart NetworkManager Service
Open Terminal and execute: sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager. This forces NetworkManager to reinitialize its daemon, reload all configuration, and reconnect all network interfaces. For systems using other network managers, substitute the appropriate service name (dhcpcd, connman, etc.).
Check and Reconfigure Network Interfaces
Execute ip link to view all interfaces, then ip addr to check IP configuration. If an interface shows DOWN, bring it up with sudo ip link set <interface> up. For DHCP interfaces, execute sudo dhclient <interface> to force a fresh DHCP lease acquisition.
Verify Routing Table and Add Default Gateway
Run ip route to display current routes. If the default gateway is missing, add it with sudo ip route add default via <gateway-ip>. Replace <gateway-ip> with your router's IP (typically 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1). This command fixes incomplete routing immediately.
Flush DNS Cache and Reconfigure Resolvers
Execute sudo systemctl restart systemd-resolved to flush and reinitialize DNS services. Check /etc/resolv.conf and verify nameserver entries point to valid DNS servers (8.8.8.8, 1.1.1.1, or your ISP's servers). Modify using sudo nano /etc/resolv.conf if necessary.
Reset Firewall Rules to Accept Traffic
If using UFW, execute sudo ufw reset to remove all firewall rules, then sudo ufw default allow to permit all traffic initially. For iptables, use sudo iptables -P INPUT ACCEPT and sudo iptables -P OUTPUT ACCEPT to allow traffic. This eliminates firewall blocking as the issue source.
Reinstall Network Drivers
Identify your network adapter with lspci | grep -i network. Then install appropriate drivers for your distribution: on Ubuntu/Debian use apt search <adapter-model> followed by sudo apt install <driver-package>. Proprietary Wi-Fi drivers often require manual installation from manufacturer websites.
Update Kernel and Recompile Network Modules
Run sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade (on Debian-based systems) to obtain latest kernel versions. Recompile kernel modules afterward using sudo dkms autoinstall if present. Some network issues only resolve with updated kernel versions containing critical bug fixes.
Getting Uninterrupted Internet on Linux Using Speedify
These fixes address individual connectivity failures but don't prevent future disconnections from hardware issues, driver conflicts, or network transitions. Speedify solves this differently by combining multiple internet connections (Starlink and other satellite, Wi-Fi, 4G / 5G cellular, wired Ethernet, tethered smartphones) on Linux to improve internet stability, speed and security on your computer.
How Speedify Fixes Internet Not Working on Linux
Speedify combines your Wi-Fi, wired Ethernet, 4G / 5G cellular connection, tethered smartphones, Starlink and other satellite into one stable pipeline. Instead of switching between internet connections, Speedify uses all simultaneously, splitting data traffic across the internet connections. If one of them drops during a video call, the other(s) continue(s) the stream seamlessly. Your Linux computer never loses internet.
How Speedify Works
Speedify operates at the OS level, creating a local VPN tunnel that manages packet distribution. Speedify monitors real-time metrics on all active connections: latency, jitter, packet loss, and bandwidth availability. The software automatically routes each data packet through whichever connection offers superior performance at that instant. If your Wi-Fi encounters interference, for example, your tethered smartphone will automatically compensate that without dropping active connections.
Speedify Installation and Configuration
Get a Speedify account and install it on your computer. Open the app and slide the switch to connect. The interface shows real-time speeds on all connections, allowing you to monitor network performance instantly. Configure your preferences in settings, such as which network to prioritize when all are available.
Real-World Benefits of Speedify for Linux Users
Ubuntu and Raspberry Pi users report maintaining video conferences while experiencing temporary network issues, uninterrupted downloads even when one connection drops, and combined bandwidth exceeding either connection alone. For remote workers and professionals dependent on stable connectivity, the reliability improvements justify the subscription cost.
Extending Reliability with Speedify's Pair & Share Feature
Beyond combining your computer's connections, Speedify's Pair & Share feature extends connection stability to other devices. This feature lets you combine multiple personal hotspots together to increase bandwidth and signal strength for everyone.
How Speedify's Pair & Share Feature Works
Speedify's Pair & Share works almost like a turbocharged personal hotspot. Instead of just one device sharing its connection with others, once paired, all devices can share and receive each other’s connections simultaneously. It's possible to share cellular data between multiple devices, including PCs, Macs, iPhones and Androids. Use multiple phones as hotspots for internet access and get increased bandwidth and mobile failover.
Who Can Benefit the Most from Speedify's Pair & Share Feature
For teams traveling together, Speedify's Pair & Share feature eliminates the need for multiple devices to maintain separate reliable connections. A journalist can use their bonded Android smartphone to share internet with a photographer's camera uploading images, or a consultant can maintain stable video conferencing on a laptop through their phone's connection. Everyone benefits from the same multi-network redundancy.
The feature proves particularly valuable in areas with inconsistent coverage, where no single network provides consistent throughput. Secondary devices no longer experience the dropouts that plague traditional personal hotspots.
Get started today!
With Speedify you can combine multiple internet sources into one bonded super-connection to improve livestreaming, video calling, gaming, web browsing, and everything else you do online.
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