Bug 436842 - USB Network Tethering Disconnects Shortly After Connection
Summary: USB Network Tethering Disconnects Shortly After Connection
Status: RESOLVED DOWNSTREAM
Alias: None
Product: plasmashell
Classification: Plasma
Component: Networks widget (other bugs)
Version First Reported In: 5.21.4
Platform: Neon Linux
: NOR normal
Target Milestone: 1.0
Assignee: Jan Grulich
URL:
Keywords:
Depends on:
Blocks:
 
Reported: 2021-05-10 00:03 UTC by Adam
Modified: 2025-06-18 15:05 UTC (History)
1 user (show)

See Also:
Latest Commit:
Version Fixed In:
Sentry Crash Report:


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Description Adam 2021-05-10 00:03:29 UTC
SUMMARY
Connecting my PC to my Android 10 mobile and enabling USB tethering on my mobile results in an innitial WiredConnection1 connected notification then moments later a WiredConnection1 disconnected notification even though the phone is still connected and tethering still active.

Interestingly regardless of the disconnected notification most internet connected applications, such as Firefox, still work. Noteably Discover, however, does not work and complains that there is no internet connection.

I've had this problem with my Android 8 device too.


STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. Connect mobile via USB
2. Enable USB tethering on mobile

OBSERVED RESULT
Plasma notifies of dropped connection, though it still works in most applications.


EXPECTED RESULT
Connection shouldn't drop.


SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Android: 10 & 8
Linux/KDE Plasma: Neon 5.21.4
(available in About System)
KDE Plasma Version: 5.21.4
KDE Frameworks Version: 5.81.0
Qt Version: 5.15.2
Comment 1 Ben Cooksley 2024-12-23 18:26:03 UTC
Bulk transfer as requested in T17796
Comment 2 Nate Graham 2025-06-12 18:58:20 UTC
Thanks for the bug report, and I'm sorry we didn't manage to get to it yet. A lot has changed since the issue was reported, in both Plasma and the networking stack in general; can I ask you to see if it's still happening in Plasma 6.3.5 or later with Frameworks 6.14 or later? Thanks a lot!
Comment 3 Adam 2025-06-15 01:35:14 UTC
(In reply to Nate Graham from comment #2)
> Thanks for the bug report, and I'm sorry we didn't manage to get to it yet.
> A lot has changed since the issue was reported, in both Plasma and the
> networking stack in general; can I ask you to see if it's still happening in
> Plasma 6.3.5 or later with Frameworks 6.14 or later? Thanks a lot!

It looks like this is working now. Thanks.
Comment 4 Adam 2025-06-16 00:40:13 UTC
(In reply to Nate Graham from comment #2)
> Thanks for the bug report, and I'm sorry we didn't manage to get to it yet.
> A lot has changed since the issue was reported, in both Plasma and the
> networking stack in general; can I ask you to see if it's still happening in
> Plasma 6.3.5 or later with Frameworks 6.14 or later? Thanks a lot!

Actually she says her wifi hotspot will no longer connect after having used the USB tethering last night. I'll update after I take a look at it.
Comment 5 Adam 2025-06-17 23:55:38 UTC
I took a look at it. She had two network entries for her hotspot. Deleted both, still does not work. Says something to the effect that it could not get secrets, no reply.

She says USB tethering still works though.
Comment 6 Nate Graham 2025-06-18 00:06:10 UTC
> could not get secrets, no reply

This suggests an issue communicating with the password store. A few questions:
1. Is this still Neon, and is it using Plasma 6.3.5 or later, and Frameworks 6.14 or later?
2. How is the password stored? Using a KWallet wallet, or plaintext (this would be the case if you used the "store password for all users" option)

It's starting to feel like a different issue from the one that was originally encountered years ago.
Comment 7 Adam 2025-06-18 14:40:18 UTC
(In reply to Nate Graham from comment #6)
> > could not get secrets, no reply
> 
> This suggests an issue communicating with the password store. A few
> questions:
> 1. Is this still Neon, and is it using Plasma 6.3.5 or later, and Frameworks
> 6.14 or later?
> 2. How is the password stored? Using a KWallet wallet, or plaintext (this
> would be the case if you used the "store password for all users" option)
> 
> It's starting to feel like a different issue from the one that was
> originally encountered years ago.

Running Manjaro now.

Plasma: 6.3.5
Framework: 6.14.0

The password is most likely stored in KWallet, she mentioned something about KWallet to me in reference to this problem. When I was over there taking a look at it and after having deleted the entries for her hotspot I edited the new entry that was created when she tried to connect again and set it to ask for a password every time, but it still would not connect citing the no reply problem.

I also tried changing the encryption from WPA3 to WPA2 personal on both her mobile phone, Pixel 7a, and the computer with no success.

It should be noted that she's had multiple problems with her phone not related to the computer. The Phone app, for example, continually pops up and minimizes to the background repeatedly and indefinitely when she tried to use it making it nearly impossible to use.

However; the hotspot was working with her computer up until she used USB tethering.
Comment 8 Adam 2025-06-18 15:04:12 UTC
You can probably go ahead and close this issue as resolved. It looks like the problem is with her phone. I just tried connecting to her hotspot with my phone and it also will not connect. It attempts to connect for a split second then stops. After several attempts it just says failed to connect.
Comment 9 Nate Graham 2025-06-18 15:05:05 UTC
That's good to hear from my perspective, at least. :) Good luck figuring out the issue with the phone!