This guide documents the resolution for the DKMS build error encountered when installing broadcom-sta-dkms on modern Linux kernels (specifically version 6.17.0 and above) on Ubuntu 24.04/26.04 or Linux Mint. Hardware Profile
Device: Broadcom Inc. BCM4360 802.11ac Wireless Network Adapter
Hardware ID: [14e4:43a0]
Kernel Version: 6.17.0-14-generic
The Problem
Standard repository versions of broadcom-sta-dkms (up to version ...-23ubuntu1.1) fail to compile on Kernel 6.17 due to:
Missing Headers: fatal error: typedefs.h: No such file or directory.
API Changes: Deprecated functions in the Linux networking stack (CFG80211) that the old driver code cannot handle.
The Solution
- Prerequisites
Ensure you have the build tools and the specific headers for your running kernel. Bash
sudo apt update sudo apt install build-essential dkms linux-headers-$(uname -r)
- Install the Patched Driver
The version 6.30.223.271-23ubuntu1.2 contains the specific patches for Kernel 6.17+. Bash
cd /tmp
sudo apt install ./broadcom-sta-dkms_6.30.223.271-23ubuntu1.2_all.deb
- Activate the Module
Once the DKMS build status reports Done, load the module and block conflicting open-source drivers. Bash
sudo modprobe -r b43 bcma brcmsmac ssb
sudo modprobe wl
- Persistence
To ensure the driver loads automatically on every boot and doesn't conflict with others, add it to the modules list: Bash
echo "wl" | sudo tee -a /etc/modules
Verification Commands Command Purpose iwconfig Check if a wireless interface (e.g., wlp3s0) appears. nmcli dev View the status of network devices via NetworkManager. dkms status Confirm the broadcom-sta module is "installed" for the current kernel. rfkill list Ensure the Wi-Fi is not "Hard blocked" or "Soft blocked."