Should I install RTL8821CE driver?

[Anonymous7641]

I saw this driver on Additional Drivers tab, Software & Updates app. Should I install it?

Zorin OS version: 16 Lite
Dual boot with Windows 11

inxi -Faz output:
System:
Kernel: 5.13.0-28-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: N/A
parameters: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-5.13.0-28-generic
root=UUID=c94e0e5e-168a-4123-9119-c062ed2cc811 ro quiet splash
vt.handoff=7
Desktop: Xfce 4.16.0 tk: Gtk 3.24.20 info: xfce4-panel wm: xfwm4
dm: LightDM 1.30.0 Distro: Zorin OS 16 base: Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Focal
Machine:
Type: Laptop System: AVITA product: NE14A2 v: N/A serial:
Chassis: type: 10 serial:
Mobo: AVITA model: 6814GCWC40 serial: UEFI: American Megatrends
v: BSR7IPHK-6814R4-AVI-V03 date: 01/12/2021
Battery:
ID-1: BAT0 charge: 20.4 Wh condition: 23.7/23.7 Wh (100%) volts: 7.9/7.4
model: GDPT CN6814-2S type: Unknown serial: status: Discharging
CPU:
Topology: Dual Core model: Intel Celeron N4000 bits: 64 type: MCP
arch: Goldmont Plus family: 6 model-id: 7A (122) stepping: 1 microcode: 36
L2 cache: 4096 KiB
flags: lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx bogomips: 4377
Speed: 2028 MHz min/max: 800/2600 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 871 2: 893
Vulnerabilities: Type: itlb_multihit status: Not affected
Type: l1tf status: Not affected
Type: mds status: Not affected
Type: meltdown mitigation: PTI
Type: spec_store_bypass
mitigation: Speculative Store Bypass disabled via prctl and seccomp
Type: spectre_v1
mitigation: usercopy/swapgs barriers and __user pointer sanitization
Type: spectre_v2 mitigation: Enhanced IBRS, IBPB: conditional, RSB filling
Type: srbds status: Not affected
Type: tsx_async_abort status: Not affected
Graphics:
Device-1: Intel UHD Graphics 605 driver: i915 v: kernel bus ID: 00:02.0
chip ID: 8086:3185
Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.13 driver: modesetting
unloaded: fbdev,vesa resolution: 1920x1080~60Hz
OpenGL: renderer: Mesa Intel UHD Graphics 600 (GLK 2) v: 4.6 Mesa 21.0.3
direct render: Yes
Audio:
Device-1: Intel vendor: Realtek driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel
bus ID: 00:0e.0 chip ID: 8086:3198
Sound Server: ALSA v: k5.13.0-28-generic
Network:
Device-1: Realtek RTL8821CE 802.11ac PCIe Wireless Network Adapter
driver: rtw_8821ce v: N/A port: e000 bus ID: 01:00.0 chip ID: 10ec:c821
IF: wlp1s0 state: up mac:
Drives:
Local Storage: total: 119.24 GiB used: 17.96 GiB (15.1%)
SMART Message: Required tool smartctl not installed. Check --recommends
ID-1: /dev/sda vendor: Foresee model: 128GB SSD size: 119.24 GiB
block size: physical: 512 B logical: 512 B speed: 6.0 Gb/s
serial: rev: 117H scheme: GPT
Partition:
ID-1: / raw size: 45.25 GiB size: 44.29 GiB (97.88%)
used: 17.93 GiB (40.5%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/sda5
Sensors:
System Temperatures: cpu: 43.0 C mobo: N/A
Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A
Info:
Processes: 186 Uptime: 6h 20m Memory: 3.66 GiB used: 1.75 GiB (47.9%)
Init: systemd v: 245 runlevel: 5 Compilers: gcc: N/A Shell: bash v: 5.0.17
running in: xfce4-terminal inxi: 3.0.38

[337harvey]

If you are not having any connectivity issues and the wifi/Bluetooth radios both work, i wouldn't. There are alternative drivers for those that experience issues (different versions of the hardware). Changing drivers can be problematic and should only be undertaken if you are having issues, i say this from experience.

[Anonymous7641]

My Wifi is weaker than on Windows. Also, in the picture, the app says this device is not working. Should I install the driver then?

[337harvey]

You can attempt it. Make sure to backup, take note on the installation method so you can reverse it if it doesn't work.

It may very well be the driver... it could also be that you're experiencing interference or multiple networks in the area using the same channel. There are many factors that effect network performance and without knowing more about your setup, I could not advise a course of action confidently.

Before attempting the driver change, evaluate that you are in the same location where windows works fine, haven't changed router settings, ensure there is minimal interference between you and the router (walls with electrical wiring, hvac ducting and water/gas piping all can interfere). If none of that has changed I'd try the driver (this can take multiple attempts). Good luck.

[Anonymous7641]

Ive installed the driver and Youtube loads a little faster now. It could just be me though.

[337harvey]

I'm glad you had little issue. Trust me, it doesn't always go that way. I'm hoping it has improved your signal and performance.