# RPi 2 cannot connect network with WI-FI dongle **URL:** \ **Category:** balenaOS\ **Tags:** wifi, network\ **Created:** [November 4, 2019, 10:32pm UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/rpi-2-cannot-connect-network-with-wi-fi-dongle/41541 "2019-11-04T22:32:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sarafina](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/balena/user_avatar/forums.balena.io/sarafina/32/2721_2.png) [@sarafina](https://forums.balena.io/u/sarafina)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2019, 10:32pm UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/rpi-2-cannot-connect-network-with-wi-fi-dongle/41541/1 "2019-11-04T22:32:43Z")
The RPi Zero W could work, so my WIFI environment is fine. I could use WiFi dongle connect internet under Raspbian and Openhab so that the wifi dongle can work. But the pi 2 could not work with the wifi dongle. I tried two brands; both of them were in the same situation. The act light flashed as _-_-_-_----. Does balenaOS could not work with the wifi dongle? ![WechatIMG2](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/balena/original/2X/e/e5fffc45a5ccef4798350398d76f666ec6886d2e.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![chrisys](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/balena/user_avatar/forums.balena.io/chrisys/32/1731_2.png) [@chrisys](https://forums.balena.io/u/chrisys)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2019, 10:40pm UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/rpi-2-cannot-connect-network-with-wi-fi-dongle/41541/2 "2019-11-04T22:40:25Z")
Hi there @sarafina and welcome to the forums. Not all WiFi dongles are supported under balenaOS, but we do have a list here: [https://www.balena.io/docs/reference/hardware/wifi-dongles/](https://www.balena.io/docs/reference/hardware/wifi-dongles/) Is your dongle one of those on the list, if not could you let us know what make/model and chipset it is? You can get some information about the device by running `lsusb` in the terminal for the host OS. You can also watch the output listed in `dmesg` when you plug in the device for more information. ---
**Author:** ![sarafina](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/balena/user_avatar/forums.balena.io/sarafina/32/2721_2.png) [@sarafina](https://forums.balena.io/u/sarafina)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2019, 7:15pm UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/rpi-2-cannot-connect-network-with-wi-fi-dongle/41541/4 "2019-11-06T19:15:27Z")
Dear Chrisys, My wifi dongle is Adafruit Minaiature Wifi (802.11B/G/N) Module. The information as following: Bus 020 Device 004: ID 0bda:8176 Realtek Semiconductor Corp. 802.11n WLAN Adapter Serial: 00e04c000001 Hope that will useful for trouble shooting. ---
**Author:** ![richbayliss](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/balena/user_avatar/forums.balena.io/richbayliss/32/1054_2.png) [@richbayliss](https://forums.balena.io/u/richbayliss)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2019, 9:06pm UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/rpi-2-cannot-connect-network-with-wi-fi-dongle/41541/6 "2019-11-06T21:06:03Z")
Thanks for sharing the info. That is a supported card on our list so not sure what the issue is. Could you try using a powered USB hub between the Pi and dongle to see if it’s a power problem? ---
**Author:** ![sarafina](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/balena/user_avatar/forums.balena.io/sarafina/32/2721_2.png) [@sarafina](https://forums.balena.io/u/sarafina)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 10:17pm UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/rpi-2-cannot-connect-network-with-wi-fi-dongle/41541/8 "2019-11-11T22:17:59Z")
It’s really difficult to find a USB hub with a power adapter. And this dongle could work with other OS without power. Is it possible to make sure no other problems firstly? ---
**Author:** ![majorz](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/balena/user_avatar/forums.balena.io/majorz/32/639_2.png) [@majorz](https://forums.balena.io/u/majorz)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 1:05pm UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/rpi-2-cannot-connect-network-with-wi-fi-dongle/41541/10 "2019-11-12T13:05:00Z")
I can confirm that this WiFi dongle does not work on RPi 2 under balenaOS 2.43.0+rev1. No driver is loading for it. I will try RPi 3 now and see whether there is a difference and afterwards I will pass the issue to our devices team. ---
**Author:** ![majorz](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/balena/user_avatar/forums.balena.io/majorz/32/639_2.png) [@majorz](https://forums.balena.io/u/majorz)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 1:52pm UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/rpi-2-cannot-connect-network-with-wi-fi-dongle/41541/11 "2019-11-12T13:52:27Z")
The same dongle works on RPi 3, so it looks like an issue related to RPi 2. Here is the GH issue I created for tracking this: [https://github.com/balena-os/balena-raspberrypi/issues/420](https://github.com/balena-os/balena-raspberrypi/issues/420) ---
**Author:** ![sarafina](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/balena/user_avatar/forums.balena.io/sarafina/32/2721_2.png) [@sarafina](https://forums.balena.io/u/sarafina)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2019, 11:29pm UTC](https://forums.balena.io/t/rpi-2-cannot-connect-network-with-wi-fi-dongle/41541/13 "2019-11-14T23:29:49Z")
thanks