ideapad_laptop module makes iwlwifi stop working

Question

i was having some problems in using my ideapad 130s with ubuntu as the wireless intel ac3165 did not work, but after a lot of unsuccessful workarounds it did work when i removed the ideapad_laptop module. i wanted to communicate this and see if someone has a explanation for the problem ( i do not even know if my system is 100% without this module,for example; when i close the lid of the laptop it does not even turn off the display...). i tried the live usb of ubuntu 18.04 and now i am using ubuntu budgie 18.04, both of then have this same issue.

Answer 1

Every laptop that I am aware of requires a small helper module to translate the special keys, Fn + F12, for example, into action. In your case, it is the module ideapad_laptop. My laptop uses thinkpad_acpi. Other examples include hp_wmi and dell_wireless.

In some cases, although the helper module loads, one or more of the intended actions does not occur. In your case, pressing the wireless key combination makes no change at all; the wireless remains blocked and won't scan and connect to any networks.

By trial and error, we have learned that, remarkably, removing the module then enables the wireless. As you have noted, the following enables wireless:

sudo modprobe -r ideapad_laptop

If you wish to make it permanent, blacklist the module so that it never loads at all:

sudo -i
echo "blacklist ideapad_laptop  >>  /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
exit

As to the explanation of the problem, it is simply a bug. I suggest that you search for and add to an existing bug report here: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu

As for the lid closing not turning off the display, I recommend that you review this: https://help.ubuntu.com/stable/ubuntu-help/power-closelid.html Evidently, after you install Tweaks, you can customize the actions that take place upon closing the lid.