I can’t connect my Manjaro system to my ASUS wifi repeater RP-AC 51. The repeater works just fine with windows and macOS. But Manjaro can’t connect to it.
Do I need to install some additional driver for that? any suggestion?
P.S. My Manjaro OS connects to the main router just fine, but the problem is with the Wifi Repeater only.
Are you able to connect to the repeater using your Phone?
You should not need any additional drivers, because a WiFi connection is same, when properly configured, no matter if it’s a router or repeater.
You should check your logs to see why it can’t connect to the repeater.
Android OS on my smartphone and windows and macOS on other devices are all working just fine with the ASUS Repeater. Just the manjaro OS is having trouble.
Feb 26 20:01:18 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438078.9311] device (wlp2s0): state change: prepare → config (reason ‘none’, sys-iface-state: ‘managed’)
Feb 26 20:01:18 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438078.9314] device (wlp2s0): Activation: (wifi) connection ‘FRITZ!BOX Repeater’ has security, and secrets exist. No new secrets needed.
Feb 26 20:01:18 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438078.9315] Config: added ‘ssid’ value ‘FRITZ!BOX Repeater’
Feb 26 20:01:18 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438078.9315] Config: added ‘scan_ssid’ value ‘1’
Feb 26 20:01:18 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438078.9315] Config: added ‘bgscan’ value ‘simple:30:-70:86400’
Feb 26 20:01:18 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438078.9315] Config: added ‘key_mgmt’ value ‘WPA-PSK WPA-PSK-SHA256 FT-PSK SAE FT-SAE’
Feb 26 20:01:18 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438078.9316] Config: added ‘psk’ value ‘’
Feb 26 20:01:19 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438079.2468] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: disconnected → authenticating
Feb 26 20:01:19 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438079.2593] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: authenticating → associating
Feb 26 20:01:19 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438079.6095] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: associating → disconnected
Feb 26 20:01:19 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438079.9195] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: disconnected → scanning
Feb 26 20:01:23 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438083.6872] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: scanning → authenticating
Feb 26 20:01:23 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438083.6916] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: authenticating → associating
Feb 26 20:01:24 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438084.0392] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: associating → disconnected
Feb 26 20:01:24 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438084.7552] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: disconnected → scanning
Feb 26 20:01:28 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438088.5272] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: scanning → authenticating
Feb 26 20:01:28 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438088.5310] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: authenticating → associating
Feb 26 20:01:28 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438088.8925] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: associating → disconnected
Feb 26 20:01:30 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438090.1042] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: disconnected → scanning
Feb 26 20:01:33 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438093.8972] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: scanning → authenticating
Feb 26 20:01:33 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438093.9039] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: authenticating → associating
Feb 26 20:01:34 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438094.2657] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: associating → disconnected
Feb 26 20:01:39 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438099.4787] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: disconnected → scanning
Feb 26 20:01:43 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438103.9646] device (wlp2s0): Activation: (wifi) association took too long
Feb 26 20:01:43 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438103.9647] device (wlp2s0): state change: config → need-auth (reason ‘none’, sys-iface-state: ‘managed’)
Feb 26 20:01:43 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438103.9651] device (wlp2s0): Activation: (wifi) asking for new secrets
Feb 26 20:01:43 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438103.9781] device (wlp2s0): state change: need-auth → prepare (reason ‘none’, sys-iface-state: ‘managed’)
Feb 26 20:01:43 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438103.9784] device (wlp2s0): state change: prepare → config (reason ‘none’, sys-iface-state: ‘managed’)
Feb 26 20:01:43 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438103.9787] device (wlp2s0): Activation: (wifi) connection ‘FRITZ!BOX Repeater’ has security, and secrets exist. No new secrets needed.
Feb 26 20:01:43 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438103.9787] Config: added ‘ssid’ value ‘FRITZ!BOX Repeater’
Feb 26 20:01:43 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438103.9787] Config: added ‘scan_ssid’ value ‘1’
Feb 26 20:01:43 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438103.9787] Config: added ‘bgscan’ value ‘simple:30:-70:86400’
Feb 26 20:01:43 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438103.9787] Config: added ‘key_mgmt’ value ‘WPA-PSK WPA-PSK-SHA256 FT-PSK SAE FT-SAE’
Feb 26 20:01:43 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438103.9787] Config: added ‘psk’ value ‘’
Feb 26 20:01:44 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438104.2935] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: scanning → authenticating
Feb 26 20:01:44 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438104.5237] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: authenticating → associating
Feb 26 20:01:44 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438104.9093] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: associating → disconnected
or
?
Try to set the BSSID (the MAC-Address) in your connection properties
to the BSSID of the repeater - second tab (Wireless Network).
Just the SSID might not be enough to identify the device. 
Feb 26 20:01:18 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438078.9311] device (wlp2s0): state change: prepare → config (reason ‘none’, sys-iface-state: ‘managed’)
Feb 26 20:01:18 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438078.9314] device (wlp2s0): Activation: (wifi) connection ‘FRITZ!BOX Repeater’ has security, and secrets exist. No new secrets needed.
Feb 26 20:01:18 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438078.9315] Config: added ‘ssid’ value ‘FRITZ!BOX Repeater’
Feb 26 20:01:18 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438078.9315] Config: added ‘scan_ssid’ value ‘1’
Feb 26 20:01:18 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438078.9315] Config: added ‘bgscan’ value ‘simple:30:-70:86400’
Feb 26 20:01:18 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438078.9315] Config: added ‘key_mgmt’ value ‘WPA-PSK WPA-PSK-SHA256 FT-PSK SAE FT-SAE’
Feb 26 20:01:18 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438078.9316] Config: added ‘psk’ value ‘’
Feb 26 20:01:19 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438079.2468] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: disconnected → authenticating
Feb 26 20:01:19 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438079.2593] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: authenticating → associating
Feb 26 20:01:19 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438079.6095] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: associating → disconnected
Feb 26 20:01:19 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438079.9195] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: disconnected → scanning
Feb 26 20:01:23 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438083.6872] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: scanning → authenticating
Feb 26 20:01:23 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438083.6916] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: authenticating → associating
Feb 26 20:01:24 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438084.0392] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: associating → disconnected
Feb 26 20:01:24 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438084.7552] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: disconnected → scanning
Feb 26 20:01:28 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438088.5272] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: scanning → authenticating
Feb 26 20:01:28 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438088.5310] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: authenticating → associating
Feb 26 20:01:28 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438088.8925] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: associating → disconnected
Feb 26 20:01:30 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438090.1042] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: disconnected → scanning
Feb 26 20:01:33 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438093.8972] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: scanning → authenticating
Feb 26 20:01:33 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438093.9039] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: authenticating → associating
Feb 26 20:01:34 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438094.2657] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: associating → disconnected
Feb 26 20:01:39 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438099.4787] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: disconnected → scanning
Feb 26 20:01:43 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438103.9646] device (wlp2s0): Activation: (wifi) association took too long
Feb 26 20:01:43 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438103.9647] device (wlp2s0): state change: config → need-auth (reason ‘none’, sys-iface-state: ‘managed’)
Feb 26 20:01:43 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438103.9651] device (wlp2s0): Activation: (wifi) asking for new secrets
Feb 26 20:01:43 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438103.9781] device (wlp2s0): state change: need-auth → prepare (reason ‘none’, sys-iface-state: ‘managed’)
Feb 26 20:01:43 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438103.9784] device (wlp2s0): state change: prepare → config (reason ‘none’, sys-iface-state: ‘managed’)
Feb 26 20:01:43 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438103.9787] device (wlp2s0): Activation: (wifi) connection ‘FRITZ!BOX Repeater’ has security, and secrets exist. No new secrets needed.
Feb 26 20:01:43 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438103.9787] Config: added ‘ssid’ value ‘FRITZ!BOX Repeater’
Feb 26 20:01:43 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438103.9787] Config: added ‘scan_ssid’ value ‘1’
Feb 26 20:01:43 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438103.9787] Config: added ‘bgscan’ value ‘simple:30:-70:86400’
Feb 26 20:01:43 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438103.9787] Config: added ‘key_mgmt’ value ‘WPA-PSK WPA-PSK-SHA256 FT-PSK SAE FT-SAE’
Feb 26 20:01:43 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438103.9787] Config: added ‘psk’ value ‘’
Feb 26 20:01:44 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438104.2935] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: scanning → authenticating
Feb 26 20:01:44 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438104.5237] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: authenticating → associating
Feb 26 20:01:44 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438104.9093] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: associating → disconnected
@s8srahme , can you try to switch the encryption type of your Router + Repeater from “WPA” or “WPA/WPA2” to “WPA2” only?
Encryption Algorithm: AES only, not TKIP+AES
(source of hint: WPA/WPA2 Wifi keeps disconnecting! WEP works though... - Raspberry Pi Forums)
And make sure to not have chars in your password that are not in these ranges:
(have chars in your password that only consist of)
a...z
A...z
0...9
_ or -
Is MAC filter activated in the Asus repeater (I think Manjaro has random mac address by default)?
I added the BSSID (mac address) but still the problem persists.
it’s repeatedly asking for the password, even though the right password has been given already.
please note that my Repeater is showing Device “wlp2s0” when I do nmcli connection, whereas my main router device shows no value under Device column.
all your conditions have been fulfilled, still it’s repeatedly asking for the password, even though the right password has been given already.
please note that my Repeater is showing Device “wlp2s0” when I do nmcli connection, whereas my main router device shows no value under Device column.
i disabled MAC filtering according to arch linux wiki. it’s still repeatedly asking for the password, even though the right password has been given already.
please note that my Repeater is showing Device “wlp2s0” when I do nmcli connection, whereas my main router device shows no value under Device column.
It seems something with the key exchange isn’t working:
log from running journalctl -f during connection
...
Feb 27 17:12:40 vajo NetworkManager[530]: <info> [1677514360.4577] Config: added 'ssid' value 'Sternchen'
Feb 27 17:12:40 vajo NetworkManager[530]: <info> [1677514360.4577] Config: added 'scan_ssid' value '1'
Feb 27 17:12:40 vajo NetworkManager[530]: <info> [1677514360.4578] Config: added 'bgscan' value 'simple:30:-70:86400'
Feb 27 17:12:40 vajo NetworkManager[530]: <info> [1677514360.4579] Config: added 'key_mgmt' value 'WPA-PSK WPA-PSK-SHA256 FT-PSK'
Feb 27 17:12:40 vajo NetworkManager[530]: <info> [1677514360.4579] Config: added 'psk' value '<hidden>'
Feb 27 17:12:40 vajo wpa_supplicant[564]: wlan0: SME: Trying to authenticate with 36:81:c4:b0:2a:64 (SSID='Sternchen' freq=2437 MHz)
Feb 27 17:12:40 vajo kernel: wlan0: authenticate with 36:81:c4:b0:2a:64
Feb 27 17:12:40 vajo kernel: wlan0: send auth to 36:81:c4:b0:2a:64 (try 1/3)
Feb 27 17:12:40 vajo NetworkManager[530]: <info> [1677514360.5236] device (wlan0): supplicant interface state: disconnected -> authenticating
Feb 27 17:12:40 vajo kernel: wlan0: authenticated
...
this is the line in my log:
Feb 27 17:12:40 vajo NetworkManager[530]: <info> [1677514360.4579] Config: added 'psk' value '<hidden>'
this is the line in your log:
Feb 26 20:01:18 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[503]: [1677438078.9316] Config: added ‘psk’ value ‘’
delete the connection and start over?
Here’s the new output after deleting old connection and starting a new one:
Feb 27 18:32:08 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519128.3936] manager: NetworkManager state is now CONNECTING
Feb 27 18:32:08 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519128.3938] device (wlp2s0): state change: prepare -> config (reason 'none', sys-iface-state: 'managed')
Feb 27 18:32:08 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519128.3941] device (wlp2s0): Activation: (wifi) access point 'FRITZ!Box 6660 Cable SJ_RPT' has security, but secrets are required.
Feb 27 18:32:08 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519128.3941] device (wlp2s0): state change: config -> need-auth (reason 'none', sys-iface-state: 'managed')
Feb 27 18:32:08 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519128.3950] device (wlp2s0): state change: need-auth -> prepare (reason 'none', sys-iface-state: 'managed')
Feb 27 18:32:08 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519128.3953] device (wlp2s0): state change: prepare -> config (reason 'none', sys-iface-state: 'managed')
Feb 27 18:32:08 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519128.3956] device (wlp2s0): Activation: (wifi) connection 'FRITZ!Box 6660 Cable SJ_RPT' has security, and secrets exist. No new secrets needed.
Feb 27 18:32:08 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519128.3956] Config: added 'ssid' value 'FRITZ!Box 6660 Cable SJ_RPT'
Feb 27 18:32:08 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519128.3956] Config: added 'scan_ssid' value '1'
Feb 27 18:32:08 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519128.3956] Config: added 'bgscan' value 'simple:30:-70:86400'
Feb 27 18:32:08 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519128.3956] Config: added 'key_mgmt' value 'WPA-PSK WPA-PSK-SHA256 FT-PSK SAE FT-SAE'
Feb 27 18:32:08 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519128.3957] Config: added 'auth_alg' value 'OPEN'
Feb 27 18:32:08 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519128.3957] Config: added 'psk' value '<hidden>'
Feb 27 18:32:12 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519132.7883] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: disconnected -> scanning
Feb 27 18:32:16 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519136.5623] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: scanning -> authenticating
Feb 27 18:32:16 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519136.5673] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: authenticating -> associating
Feb 27 18:32:16 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519136.9213] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: associating -> disconnected
Feb 27 18:32:17 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519137.2305] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: disconnected -> scanning
Feb 27 18:32:29 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519149.7091] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: scanning -> authenticating
Feb 27 18:32:29 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519149.7150] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: authenticating -> associating
Feb 27 18:32:30 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519150.0778] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: associating -> disconnected
Feb 27 18:32:30 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519150.7916] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: disconnected -> scanning
Feb 27 18:32:33 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <warn> [1677519153.9730] device (wlp2s0): Activation: (wifi) association took too long
Feb 27 18:32:33 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519153.9730] device (wlp2s0): state change: config -> need-auth (reason 'none', sys-iface-state: 'managed')
Feb 27 18:32:33 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <warn> [1677519153.9733] device (wlp2s0): Activation: (wifi) asking for new secrets
Feb 27 18:32:34 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519154.2807] device (wlp2s0): supplicant interface state: scanning -> inactive
Feb 27 18:32:38 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <warn> [1677519158.9780] device (wlp2s0): no secrets: User canceled the secrets request.
Feb 27 18:32:38 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519158.9781] device (wlp2s0): state change: need-auth -> failed (reason 'no-secrets', sys-iface-state: 'managed')
Feb 27 18:32:38 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519158.9788] manager: NetworkManager state is now DISCONNECTED
Feb 27 18:32:38 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <warn> [1677519158.9793] device (wlp2s0): Activation: failed for connection 'FRITZ!Box 6660 Cable SJ_RPT'
Feb 27 18:32:38 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519158.9798] device (wlp2s0): state change: failed -> disconnected (reason 'none', sys-iface-state: 'managed')
Feb 27 18:32:42 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519162.6873] policy: auto-activating connection 'FRITZ!Box 6660 Cable SJ' (b364d2a7-8fd8-43b2-aa30-37b753172fb4)
Feb 27 18:32:42 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519162.6881] device (wlp2s0): Activation: starting connection 'FRITZ!Box 6660 Cable SJ' (b364d2a7-8fd8-43b2-aa30-37b753172fb4)
Feb 27 18:32:42 user123-manjaro NetworkManager[7817]: <info> [1677519162.6884] device (wlp2s0): state change: disconnected -> prepare (reason 'none', sys-iface-state: 'managed')
......
......
So still no luck sadly!
Did you notice that this is a connection (attempt) to your FRITZ!Box 6660 Cable SJ_RPT directly -
not to your Repeater?
And did you notice that there is no encryption configured?
[1677519128.3957] Config: added 'auth_alg' value 'OPEN'
I have no idea what you are doing/what is happening here vs what is supposed to be happening.
Luck has little to do with it. 
FRITZ!Box 6660 Cable SJ is the Router itself
FRITZ!Box 6660 Cable SJ_RPT is the ASUS repeater
and could you suggest how to enable encryption?
NetworkManager usually selects the correct mode - provided that the router is so configured.
Here it looks like the router is “open” - no encryption set up.
I could not tell you how to configure that on your FritzBox or repeater.
I use the graphical gui in Xfce4 - and I have used nmtui - I am not familiar with nmcli.
after many failed attempts with 2.4 GHz repeater network, it seems 5 Ghz is working just fine without any custom configuration at all. Seems very weird to think that 2.4 Ghz isn’t supported on Manjaro OS for some reason, whereas it was working just fine on all other systems such as windows, android and MacOs.
Nichts genaues weiß man nicht zu den Gründen …
Try to remove the connection to your box directly, and only have the repeater in your connections.
It might be that it is getting confused by the SSID’s due to the “!” char in both names…
I tried removing ! character from the name, but it still doesn’t work.
But I’m glad 5Ghz network is working as expected.
thanks for all the suggestions though, much appreciated.