How to Connect to Wi-Fi on Arch Linux Without NetworkManager

If you installed Arch Linux with a desktop environment like XFCE but forgot to install NetworkManager, you’ll quickly notice that you can’t connect to the internet. This post will guide you step-by-step on how to connect to Wi-Fi from the terminal and later install a graphical network manager.

🔍 Step 1: Check if You Have iwctl

Many Arch installations include iwd, the iNet wireless daemon. You can check if it’s available with:

iwctl

If it works and gives you a > prompt, you’re good to go.

📶 Step 2: Connect to Wi-Fi Using iwctl

Inside the iwctl prompt:

1. List your Wi-Fi device:

   device list
   

2. Scan for networks:

   station wlan0 scan
   

3. Show available networks:

   station wlan0 get-networks
   

4. Connect to your Wi-Fi:

   station wlan0 connect YourWiFiName
   

If it asks for a password, enter it. If connection is successful, type:

exit

❗ Step 3: No IP Address? Fix It!

Sometimes, the connection is established but you have no internet. Check your IP with:

ip a

If there’s no inet IP under your Wi-Fi device, you need a DHCP client.

Edit (or create) this file:

sudo nano /etc/iwd/main.conf

Add:

[General]
EnableNetworkConfiguration=true

[Network]
NameResolvingService=systemd

Then restart the iwd service:

sudo systemctl restart iwd

Try connecting again via iwctl.

🌐 Step 4: Still No Internet? Fix DNS

Try:

ping 8.8.8.8

If it works but:

ping archlinux.org

does not, it’s a DNS issue.

Edit /etc/resolv.conf:

sudo nano /etc/resolv.conf

Replace contents with:

nameserver 1.1.1.1
nameserver 8.8.8.8

Save and try again.

🧰 Step 5: Install NetworkManager (Recommended)

Once online, install NetworkManager for easier Wi-Fi management:

sudo pacman -S networkmanager network-manager-applet

Enable and start the service:

sudo systemctl enable NetworkManager
sudo systemctl start NetworkManager

Then you can use the graphical Wi-Fi applet in XFCE:

nm-applet &

To make it run at login, add it to XFCE’s “Session and Startup” settings.

✅ Done!

Now you have a working Wi-Fi connection without needing NetworkManager, and optionally with it for better ease of use.