Zorin 18:Built-in wireless(internal dongle/motherboard)keyboard works in GRUB but not in Zorin 18 Pro (NEC all-in-one)

[AlexMint]

Hello everyone, I’m experiencing an issue with my built-in wireless keyboard on the NEC All-in-One (model PC-GD258ACA3) when using Zorin OS 18 Pro. I’m looking for assistance to resolve it.

Problem description:

The keyboard is internal wireless, connected via an internal motherboard dongle (not an external USB device).

During boot, the keyboard works normally in the GRUB menu and also in the BIOS, so the hardware is fine.

After Zorin OS 18 loads, the keyboard stops working completely and is not detected by the system.

The wireless mouse, which uses the same type of internal connection, works normally, indicating the issue is specific to the keyboard.

Relevant hardware:

PC: NEC All-in-One PC-GD258ACA3

Keyboard: built-in wireless via internal dongle

Chipset: Intel (i7 2.5 GHz)

BIOS version: 636A0500

EC version: CD611EN1.300

ME firmware: 9.0.20.1447

Keyboard works in BIOS and GRUB, confirming it’s not a hardware defect.

On previous Zorin 17.3 Pro, the same keyboard worked fine.

Suspect it is a driver or kernel module incompatibility in Zorin 18, possibly related to hid_nec.

Does anyone know how to properly load or install the driver for this internal wireless keyboard on Zorin OS 18 Pro? Is there an alternative module that can fix this issue?

Thank you in advance!

[Aravisian]

Using an external USB Keyboard to edit your grub file, have you tried any grub parameters like
i8042.reset i8042.nomux=1 i8042.nopnp=1 i8042.direct or i8042.dumbkbd=1 - I am listing several that you can try to find one that works.

[HOW TO] add a grub parameter

There may be times that a user must add a specialized grub parameter in order to overcome an issue. The purpose of this guide is not to provide parameters, as that would be a case by case basis. It is to provide a guide on how to add one. To add a parameter, in a terminal (TTY, Recovery Prompt or Terminal Emulator) run: sudo nano /etc/default/grub Arrow key down to GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash" and place your parameter within the quotation tags. For example if you are adding th…

[AlexMint]

Thanks for your suggestion! I tried adding those i8042 parameters to GRUB (one by one and in combinations), but unfortunately my built-in wireless keyboard and mouse still don’t work after boot.

They work fine in BIOS and in GRUB menu, but stop responding once Zorin loads.

I’m using a NEC all-in-one PC (model PC-GD258ACA3). If you have any other ideas or parameters that might help with this specific hardware, I’d really appreciate it.

[Aravisian]

@AlexMint

but unfortunately my built-in wireless keyboard and mouse still don’t work after boot.

They work fine in BIOS and in GRUB menu, but stop responding once Zorin loads.

Initially, I thought the mouse was working. Did I misunderstand?

@AlexMint

They work fine in BIOS and in GRUB menu, but stop responding once Zorin loads.

Which kernel are you on?

uname -r

You said it worked on 17.3
And it works before reaching the desktop.
Since none of the kernel parameters helped in addition to the above - it makes me think something is fundamentally missing from your current kernel.
"Downgrading" to the one that worked in 17.3 may help.

[zabadabadoo]

FYI. Current kernel I have in Z17.3 is 6.8.0-85

[AlexMint]

The mouse uses the same type of wireless connection as the keyboard, but it works fine.

The keyboard works normally in BIOS and in the GRUB menu, but stops responding once Zorin loads.

I’m using a NEC all-in-one PC (model PC-GD258ACA3) with Linux kernel 6.14.0-1014-oem.

If you have any other ideas or parameters that might help with this specific hardware, I’d really appreciate it.

[Aravisian]

Have you tested the 6.8 kernel? Is there a hardware reason you are using 6.14?

[AlexMint]

@Aravisian

Have you tested the 6.8 kernel? Is there a hardware reason you are using 6.14?

I’m currently using kernel 6.14.0-1014-oem, which comes with Zorin OS 18 Pro.

Zorin 18 is based on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, while Zorin 17.3 was based on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS.
Even though both versions may include kernels with similar numbers (for example, 6.8), they are built for different system bases — meaning the drivers, libraries, and modules are not fully interchangeable.

The 6.14 OEM kernel shipped with Zorin 18 is optimized for newer hardware support, especially input devices and wireless components, which is why I’ve kept it as my main kernel.

From what I understand, installing another kernel version (like 6.8) won’t replace the current one; it simply adds another entry in the GRUB menu, allowing both to coexist.

My goal is to test whether an earlier kernel (such as 6.8, compiled for Ubuntu 24.04) might improve compatibility with my built-in wireless keyboard, while keeping the 6.14 OEM kernel as a safe fallback.

If anyone has experience with this hardware or kernel combinations that worked, I’d really appreciate any advice.

[Aravisian]

@AlexMint

My goal is to test whether an earlier kernel (such as 6.8, compiled for Ubuntu 24.04) might improve compatibility with my built-in wireless keyboard, while keeping the 6.14 OEM kernel as a safe fallback.

Yes... that... is a worthy goal...
Let's do that.

sudo apt install linux-headers-6.8.0-79-generic linux-image-6.8.0-79-generic linux-modules-6.8.0-79-generic linux-modules-extra-6.8.0-79-generic

[AlexMint]

I’ve already tested the 6.8 kernel as suggested, but unfortunately, it did not resolve the issue.

After Zorin OS boots, the built-in wireless keyboard still does not respond at all, except for the physical power button.

The keyboard works fine in BIOS and GRUB, and the mouse (using the same wireless connection) works normally after boot.

According to ChatGPT, the problem is likely related to driver/module support (i8042 or NEC-specific modules like hid_nec, usbhid, or hid_generic), rather than the kernel version itself — although this is a supposition.

Any further suggestions for getting the built-in keyboard to work after boot would be greatly appreciated.

[Aravisian]

@AlexMint

According to ChatGPT, the problem is likely related to driver/module support (i8042 or NEC-specific modules like hid_nec, usbhid, or hid_generic), rather than the kernel version itself — although this is a supposition.

The tricky part of this is- That is Kernel.
What happens if you load the modules manually?

sudo modprobe hid_nec

sudo modprobe hid_generic

sudo modprobe usbhid

sudo modprobe i8042

Or grub parameters to ensure they are loaded at init? (Edit GFrub file with):
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash i8042.nopnp=0 i8042.dumbkbd=0"

Must update grub for changes to take effect:

sudo update-grub

Do you have the modules-extra installed?

sudo apt install linux-modules-extra-6.14.0-33-generic

[AlexMint]

@Aravisian

@AlexMint

According to ChatGPT, the problem is likely related to driver/module support (i8042 or NEC-specific modules like hid_nec, usbhid, or hid_generic), rather than the kernel version itself — although this is a supposition.

The tricky part of this is- That is Kernel.
What happens if you load the modules manually?

sudo modprobe hid_nec

sudo modprobe hid_generic

sudo modprobe usbhid

sudo modprobe i8042

Or grub parameters to ensure they are loaded at init? (Edit GFrub file with):
GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash i8042.nopnp=0 i8042.dumbkbd=0"

Must update grub for changes to take effect:

sudo update-grub

Do you have the modules-extra installed?

sudo apt install linux-modules-extra-6.14.0-33-generic

sudo apt install linux-modules-extra-6.14.0-1014-oem

[AlexMint]

I tried manually loading the modules to see if the built-in NEC wireless keyboard could work after boot:

sudo modprobe hid_nec
sudo modprobe hid_generic
sudo modprobe usbhid
sudo modprobe i8042

However, hid_nec was not found in /lib/modules/6.14.0-1014-oem.

I then tried to install the extra modules package:

sudo apt install linux-modules-extra-6.14.0-1014-oem

But the package does not exist in the Zorin 18 repositories.

This confirms that the specific hid_nec module is not included in this kernel, so the built-in keyboard cannot be enabled through these standard methods.

[Aravisian]

@AlexMint

But the package does not exist in the Zorin 18 repositories.

Yes. That is why I said:

@Aravisian

sudo apt install linux-modules-extra-6.14.0-33-generic

[AlexMint]

Here’s what I’ve tried so far:

1. Tested kernel 6.8 (compiled for Ubuntu 24.04)

• Goal: check if an earlier kernel would improve compatibility
• Result: did not solve the issue

2. Manual module loading on kernel 6.14 OEM

sudo modprobe hid_nec
sudo modprobe hid_generic
sudo modprobe usbhid
sudo modprobe i8042

• Result: hid_nec module not found; other modules loaded successfully (hid_generic, usbhid, i8042)

3. Tried installing extra modules package

sudo apt install linux-modules-extra-6.14.0-1014-oem

• Result: package does not exist in Zorin 18 repositories
• Installed linux-modules-extra-6.14.0-33-generic instead (already the latest version)

4. Verified modules are loaded

lsmod | grep hid

• Modules hid_generic, usbhid, and i8042 are active

5. Tried GRUB parameters to force initialization at boot:

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash i8042.nopnp=0 i8042.dumbkbd=0"
sudo update-grub
sudo reboot

• Result: keyboard still does not work after boot

[Aravisian]

......

Well, golly gee. I sure hope someone knows how to help you comes along.

Did my best. Good luck.

[AlexMint]

I really want to thank you for all the time, effort, and guidance you’ve given me trying to solve this issue.
Your suggestions and explanations were very clear and helpful, and I truly appreciate the patience and knowledge you shared.
Even though the problem with the built-in NEC keyboard is still not resolved, your help has been invaluable in understanding what’s going on.

Thank you again for your dedication and support!

[AlexMint]

Do you know if there is a simple and easy way to add the hid_nec module to the kernel?
I’d like to know if it’s possible without having to manually compile the entire kernel.

[Aravisian]

@AlexMint

Do you know if there is a simple and easy way to add the hid_nec module to the kernel?

I actually think I was unclear earlier.
The OEM kernel is a main baseline - it works in conjunction with, not against the system.
So my recommendation above was to install the 6.14.0-33 kernel and get the linux-modules-extra package, in order to include them in your src directory.

You can still use the OEM kernel; however, this will supply the needed modules. The OEM is unpatched and barebones.
You do not need to manually compile - installing is all you need.
The full terminal command would be

sudo apt install linux-headers-6.14.0-33-generic linux-image-6.14.0-33-generic linux-modules-6.14.0-33-generic linux-modules-extra-6.14.0-33-generic

You must Reboot fully and ensure that you are on the 6.14.0-33 first - then set your modules if needed (The modprobe commands). You will still have and be using what the OEM brings.

If this still fails - I will admit to being stumped.

[AlexMint]

1. Modules Loaded in Zorin 18:
   Running lsmod | grep hid shows the following:

mac_hid
hid_multitouch
hid_generic
usbhid
hid

• There is no module called hid_nec loaded or present in /lib/modules/.../drivers/hid/.
• This confirms that the keyboard does not rely on a specific hid_nec module.

2. Behavior in Zorin 17.3 vs 18:

• On Zorin 17.3, the keyboard worked fine, likely using hid_generic + i8042 modules.
• In Zorin 18, the keyboard only works in GRUB and BIOS, but not after the OS boots.
• This suggests that the problem is related to how HID modules and i8042 are initialized in Zorin 18’s OEM kernel, not the absence of a hid_nec driver.

3. About NEC Linux Drivers:

• Most NEC devices (displays, USB peripherals) work with generic kernel drivers.
• Some NEC hardware has official Linux drivers, but keyboards like mine are expected to work with generic HID support, not a proprietary NEC driver.
• Firmware updates for some devices may require Windows, but this is not typical for keyboards.

4. What I’ve Tried:

• Different kernel versions (6.8, 6.14 OEM)
• Loading modules manually (modprobe hid_generic usbhid i8042)
• GRUB parameters (i8042.reset, i8042.nomux=1, etc.)
• Installing linux-modules-extra packages

Unfortunately, none of these solved the issue.

Conclusion:

• hid_nec does not exist in Zorin 18 kernels.
• The keyboard should theoretically work with generic HID drivers, but something in the OEM kernel is preventing it from being initialized after boot.
• I’m looking for advice on how to ensure the proper HID/i8042 modules load automatically, or if there is a known workaround for this NEC All-in-One keyboard in Zorin 18.

Thank you to everyone who has tried to help so far – I really appreciate your time and effort!