How to Install Broadcom Wi-Fi Drivers on Fedora (2025 Guide)

If you're using a Fedora system and experiencing issues with Broadcom Wi-Fi, you're not alone. Fedora does not include proprietary drivers like Broadcom's by default. However, you can resolve this by installing the broadcom-wl driver through the RPM Fusion repositories.

Follow the steps below to get your wireless working.

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Step 1: Enable RPM Fusion Repositories

To access the broadcom-wl driver, you need to enable both the free and non-free RPM Fusion repositories. You can visit the official configuration page:

https://rpmfusion.org/Configuration

Alternatively, install them directly via the terminal:

bash

# Enable the Free repository
sudo dnf install https://download1.rpmfusion.org/free/fedora/rpmfusion-free-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm

# Enable the Non-Free repository
sudo dnf install https://download1.rpmfusion.org/nonfree/fedora/rpmfusion-nonfree-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm

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Step 2: Update Your System

It is recommended to update your system before installing new drivers:

bash

sudo dnf update
sudo dnf upgrade

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Step 3: Install the Broadcom wl Driver

Once the repositories are enabled, install the driver package:

bash

sudo dnf install broadcom-wl

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Step 4: Handle Missing Kernel Modules (If Required)

If you encounter errors related to modprobe or missing kernel modules, it's likely that the kernel-devel package is not installed. Use the following commands to resolve it:

bash

sudo dnf install -y kernel-devel

sudo akmods --force --kernel $(uname -r) --akmod wl

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Step 5: Load the Driver

Once everything is installed, load the Broadcom driver manually:

bash

sudo modprobe wl

If the wireless interface still doesn't activate, try rebooting the system.

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Optional: Load wl Module at Boot

To ensure that the wl module loads automatically at boot time, create a configuration file:

bash

echo "wl" | sudo tee /etc/modules-load.d/wl.conf

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Conclusion

Installing Broadcom Wi-Fi drivers on Fedora requires a few extra steps, but once configured correctly, it offers stable wireless performance. Using RPM Fusion ensures you're accessing trusted packages, and with a little terminal work, your system will be fully functional.

If you're managing multiple systems or setting up Fedora regularly, consider scripting these steps for faster deployment.

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