Your kernel header files aren't properly installed

Help
1

Hi, I’m not sure if I should put this in ‘Help’ or ‘Bugs’ -

I’m trying to update a driver for my TP-Link wireless adapter.

(TP-Link AC1900 High Gain Wireless Dual Band USB Adapter, driver from 8814au/README.md at main · morrownr/8814au · GitHub)

After entering sudo ./install-driver.sh (Upgrading the Driver, Step 4), I get this:

Your kernel header files aren't properly installed.
Please consult your distro documentation or user support forums.
Once the header files are properly installed, please run "sudo ./install-driver.sh"

I have no idea how to verify if headers are installed at all, or not, or correctly or incorrectly.

Would anyone here know what I am supposed to do?

Rgds,
DR.

Paste of System Information:
Operating System: KDE neon 6.2
KDE Plasma Version: 6.2.0
KDE Frameworks Version: 6.6.0
Qt Version: 6.7.2
Kernel Version: 6.8.0-47-generic (64-bit)
Graphics Platform: Wayland
Processors: 8 × Intel® Core™ i7-4790K CPU @ 4.00GHz
Memory: 15.5 GiB of RAM
Graphics Processor: Mesa Intel® HD Graphics 4600
Manufacturer: ASUS
Product Name: All Series

2

You would check for the kernel-headers package for the kernel installed.

root@9600k:~# uname -a
Linux 9600k 6.8.0-47-generic #47-Ubuntu SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Fri Sep 27 21:40:26 UTC 2024 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
root@9600k:~# apt-cache search linux-image 6.8.0-47-generic
linux-image-6.8.0-47-generic - Signed kernel image generic
linux-image-uc-6.8.0-47-generic - Signed kernel image generic for Ubuntu Core
linux-image-unsigned-6.8.0-47-generic - Linux kernel image for version 6.8.0 on 64 bit x86 SMP
root@9600k:~# apt-cache policy linux-image-6.8.0-47-generic
linux-image-6.8.0-47-generic:
  Installed: 6.8.0-47.47
  Candidate: 6.8.0-47.47
  Version table:
 *** 6.8.0-47.47 500
        500 http://ca.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu noble-updates/main amd64 Packages
        500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu noble-security/main amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status
root@9600k:~# apt-cache search linux-headers 6.8.0-47-generic
linux-headers-6.8.0-47-generic - Linux kernel headers for version 6.8.0 on 64 bit x86 SMP
root@9600k:~# apt-cache policy linux-headers-6.8.0-47-generic
linux-headers-6.8.0-47-generic:
  Installed: 6.8.0-47.47
  Candidate: 6.8.0-47.47
  Version table:
 *** 6.8.0-47.47 500
        500 http://ca.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu noble-updates/main amd64 Packages
        500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu noble-security/main amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status

Above I show mine which appears to be the same as yours. First I check for the installed version with the “uname -a” command. Then I search the apt cache for a linux-image package. Next I use the policy command to confirm my installed package name. Then search the cache for a linux-headers for the same kernel version. Finally use the policy command one more time to confirm that my headers are installed. Since it is not finding them you most likely need to sudo apt install linux-headers-6.8.0-47-generic to install them then trying for your driver install once more.

3

Brilliant, thanks redgreen,

I followed through the commands from your steps, and it seems you were right -

$ apt-cache policy linux-headers-6.8.0-47-generic
linux-headers-6.8.0-47-generic:
Installed: (none)
Candidate: 6.8.0-47.47~22.04.1
Version table:
6.8.0-47.47~22.04.1 500
…

I ran the line you suggested -

sudo apt install linux-headers-6.8.0-47-generic

And that has installed the headers.

Many Thanks!
Rgds
DR

4

And then, my wifi adapter installed no problem after that, thanks again!

5

You are welcome good to see you get it solved.