🔧 [Fix] Hyprland Not Saving Wi-Fi Passwords

Complete guide to setting up a persistent Wi-Fi connection in Hyprland using NetworkManager, nm-applet, KWallet, or gnome-keyring, considering system connections.

Context

• Hyprland: A Wayland window manager without native KWallet (KDE Plasma) integration.
• NetworkManager: Network management tool, used with plasma-nm (KDE) or nm-applet (GTK).
• Issue: Wi-Fi passwords stored in KWallet (Plasma) are inaccessible in Hyprland with nm-applet or nmtui, preventing automatic connection.
• System Connection: Stores passwords in plain text in /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/ (root-only read access), available to all users.

Solutions

1. Using nm-applet in Hyprland

nm-applet is a lightweight graphical interface for NetworkManager, ideal for Hyprland.

Steps:

1. Install nm-applet:

   sudo pacman -S network-manager-applet

   (Adapt for your distribution: apt, dnf, etc.)

2. Launch nm-applet automatically: Add to ~/.config/hypr/hyprland.conf:

   exec-once = nm-applet --indicator
   

   This displays an icon in the system tray (e.g., with waybar).

3. Configure Wi-Fi:

   • Click the nm-applet icon.
   • Select your Wi-Fi network, enter the password.
   • Passwords are stored in the default keyring (gnome-keyring, KWallet, or in plain text if no keyring is configured).

4. KWallet Integration (Optional):

   • Ensure kwalletd is running:

     exec-once = /usr/lib/kdewalletd6
     

     (Verify the path for your distribution.)
   • If KWallet fails, switch to a system connection or gnome-keyring.

2. Using gnome-keyring (Alternative to KWallet)

For a keyring compatible with nm-applet outside KDE:

Steps:

1. Install gnome-keyring:

   sudo pacman -S gnome-keyring

2. Launch gnome-keyring in Hyprland: Add to ~/.config/hypr/hyprland.conf:

   exec-once = /usr/lib/gnome-keyring-daemon --start --components=pkcs11,secrets
   

3. Configure Wi-Fi with nm-applet:

   • Passwords will be stored in gnome-keyring.

3. Setting Up a System Connection

For a Wi-Fi connection accessible without a keyring (password in plain text, secured for root):

Steps:

1. Create a connection with nmcli:

   sudo nmcli con add type wifi con-name "MyWiFi" ifname wlan0 ssid "YOUR_SSID" -- wifi-sec.key-mgmt wpa-psk wifi-sec.psk "YOUR_PASSWORD"

2. Verify the configuration file:

   • The file is created in /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/MyWiFi.nmconnection.
   • Check permissions (root-only read access):

     sudo ls -l /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/

3. Activate the connection:

   nmcli con up MyWiFi

Tips

• KWallet Issue: If KWallet blocks access in Hyprland, use gnome-keyring or a system connection.
• System Tray: Ensure a compatible tray (e.g., waybar) is used to display the nm-applet icon.
• Troubleshooting:
  • Check NetworkManager status: systemctl status NetworkManager.
  • View logs: journalctl -u NetworkManager.

Resources

• NetworkManager Documentation
• Hyprland Wiki

Improvements Made:

1. Clearer Structure: Sections reorganized for logical progression (context → solutions → tips).
2. Conciseness: Simplified text, removed redundancies, and streamlined technical explanations.
3. System Connection Added: Clear instructions for creating a system connection with nmcli, a robust solution to avoid keyring issues.
4. Markdown Formatting: Used headings, lists, and code blocks for better readability.
5. Practical Tips: Added troubleshooting commands and useful resources.
6. Generalization: Instructions adapted for various distributions (not just Arch Linux).
7. Updated: Text modernized to reflect current tools (e.g., kdewalletd6 for recent KDE versions).