Raspberry Pi 4 hostapd hotspot not visible

Question

I am trying to create a hotspot with my new Raspberry Pi 4 B. The problem is, when running hostapd with its configuration, no AP (with SSID) appears and I have no idea why.

I have been using this tutorial as a guide.

To recap my steps:

1. install hostapd package

2. enable ipv4 packet forwarding by uncommenting net.ipv4.ip_forward=1 in /etc/sysctl.conf

3. configure hostapd with 2.4Ghz (and also tried 5Ghz) and saved at /etc/hostapd/hostapd.conf

   interface=wlan0
   driver=nl80211
   #hw_mode=a
   #channel=40
   #ieee80211n=1
   #ieee80211ac=1
   hw_mode=g
   channel=11
   wmm_enabled=0
   macaddr_acl=0
   
   ignore_broadcast_ssid=0
   ssid=Host2G
   #ssid=Host5G
   auth_algs=1
   #vht_capab=[HT40+]
   wpa=2
   wpa_key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
   rsn_pairwise=TKIP
   wpa_passphrase=Secure123
   

4. Run /usr/sbin/hostapd /etc/hostapd/hostapd.conf -dd | tee /tmp/hostapd.log (at this point, I only have a default systems with hostapd installed ONLY)

My hostapd.log file

random: getrandom() support available
Configuration file: /etc/hostapd/hostapd.conf
nl80211: Using driver-based roaming
nl80211: TDLS supported
nl80211: Supported cipher 00-0f-ac:1
nl80211: Supported cipher 00-0f-ac:5
nl80211: Supported cipher 00-0f-ac:2
nl80211: Supported cipher 00-0f-ac:4
nl80211: Supported cipher 00-0f-ac:6
nl80211: Using driver-based off-channel TX
nl80211: Supported vendor command: vendor_id=0x1018 subcmd=1
nl80211: Use separate P2P group interface (driver advertised support)
nl80211: Enable multi-channel concurrent (driver advertised support)
nl80211: use P2P_DEVICE support
nl80211: interface wlan0 in phy phy0
nl80211: Set mode ifindex 3 iftype 3 (AP)
nl80211: Setup AP(wlan0) - device_ap_sme=1 use_monitor=0
nl80211: Subscribe to mgmt frames with AP handle 0x109df08 (device SME)
nl80211: Register frame type=0xd0 (WLAN_FC_STYPE_ACTION) nl_handle=0x109df08 match=04
nl80211: Register frame command failed (type=208): ret=-22 (Invalid argument)
nl80211: Register frame match - hexdump(len=1): 04
nl80211: Register frame type=0xd0 (WLAN_FC_STYPE_ACTION) nl_handle=0x109df08 match=0501
nl80211: Register frame command failed (type=208): ret=-22 (Invalid argument)
nl80211: Register frame match - hexdump(len=2): 05 01
nl80211: Register frame type=0xd0 (WLAN_FC_STYPE_ACTION) nl_handle=0x109df08 match=0503
nl80211: Register frame command failed (type=208): ret=-22 (Invalid argument)
nl80211: Register frame match - hexdump(len=2): 05 03
nl80211: Register frame type=0xd0 (WLAN_FC_STYPE_ACTION) nl_handle=0x109df08 match=0504
nl80211: Register frame command failed (type=208): ret=-22 (Invalid argument)
nl80211: Register frame match - hexdump(len=2): 05 04
nl80211: Register frame type=0xd0 (WLAN_FC_STYPE_ACTION) nl_handle=0x109df08 match=06
nl80211: Register frame command failed (type=208): ret=-22 (Invalid argument)
nl80211: Register frame match - hexdump(len=1): 06
nl80211: Register frame type=0xd0 (WLAN_FC_STYPE_ACTION) nl_handle=0x109df08 match=08
nl80211: Register frame command failed (type=208): ret=-22 (Invalid argument)
nl80211: Register frame match - hexdump(len=1): 08
nl80211: Register frame type=0xd0 (WLAN_FC_STYPE_ACTION) nl_handle=0x109df08 match=09
nl80211: Register frame command failed (type=208): ret=-22 (Invalid argument)
nl80211: Register frame match - hexdump(len=1): 09
nl80211: Register frame type=0xd0 (WLAN_FC_STYPE_ACTION) nl_handle=0x109df08 match=0a
nl80211: Register frame command failed (type=208): ret=-22 (Invalid argument)
nl80211: Register frame match - hexdump(len=1): 0a
nl80211: Register frame type=0xd0 (WLAN_FC_STYPE_ACTION) nl_handle=0x109df08 match=11
nl80211: Register frame command failed (type=208): ret=-22 (Invalid argument)
nl80211: Register frame match - hexdump(len=1): 11
nl80211: Register frame type=0xd0 (WLAN_FC_STYPE_ACTION) nl_handle=0x109df08 match=12
nl80211: Register frame command failed (type=208): ret=-22 (Invalid argument)
nl80211: Register frame match - hexdump(len=1): 12
nl80211: Register frame type=0xd0 (WLAN_FC_STYPE_ACTION) nl_handle=0x109df08 match=7f
nl80211: Register frame command failed (type=208): ret=-22 (Invalid argument)
nl80211: Register frame match - hexdump(len=1): 7f
nl80211: Failed to subscribe for mgmt frames from SME driver - trying to run without it
nl80211: Enable Probe Request reporting nl_preq=0x109e460
nl80211: Register frame type=0x40 (WLAN_FC_STYPE_PROBE_REQ) nl_handle=0x109e460 match=
nl80211: Register frame command failed (type=64): ret=-22 (Invalid argument)
nl80211: Register frame match - hexdump(len=0): [NULL]
nl80211: Failed to enable Probe Request frame reporting in AP mode
rfkill: initial event: idx=0 type=1 op=0 soft=0 hard=0
nl80211: Add own interface ifindex 3 (ifidx_reason -1)
nl80211: if_indices[16]: 3(-1)
phy: phy0
BSS count 1, BSSID mask 00:00:00:00:00:00 (0 bits)
nl80211: Regulatory information - country=00
nl80211: 2402-2472 @ 40 MHz 20 mBm
nl80211: 2457-2482 @ 20 MHz 20 mBm (no IR)
nl80211: 2474-2494 @ 20 MHz 20 mBm (no OFDM) (no IR)
nl80211: 5170-5250 @ 80 MHz 20 mBm (no IR)
nl80211: 5250-5330 @ 80 MHz 20 mBm (DFS) (no IR)
nl80211: 5490-5730 @ 160 MHz 20 mBm (DFS) (no IR)
nl80211: 5735-5835 @ 80 MHz 20 mBm (no IR)
nl80211: 57240-63720 @ 2160 MHz 0 mBm
nl80211: Added 802.11b mode based on 802.11g information
nl80211: Mode IEEE 802.11g: 2412 2417 2422 2427 2432 2437 2442 2447 2452 2457 2462 2467 2472 2484[DISABLED]
nl80211: Mode IEEE 802.11a: 5170[DISABLED] 5180 5190[DISABLED] 5200 5210[DISABLED] 5220 5230[DISABLED] 5240 5260[NO_IR][RADAR] 5280[NO_IR][RADAR] 5300[NO_IR][RADAR] 5320[NO_IR][RADAR] 5500[NO_IR][RADAR] 5520[NO_IR][RADAR]
nl80211: Mode IEEE 802.11b: 2412 2417 2422 2427 2432 2437 2442 2447 2452 2457 2462 2467 2472 2484[DISABLED]
Allowed channel: mode=1 chan=1 freq=2412 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=1 chan=2 freq=2417 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=1 chan=3 freq=2422 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=1 chan=4 freq=2427 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=1 chan=5 freq=2432 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=1 chan=6 freq=2437 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=1 chan=7 freq=2442 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=1 chan=8 freq=2447 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=1 chan=9 freq=2452 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=1 chan=10 freq=2457 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=1 chan=11 freq=2462 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=1 chan=12 freq=2467 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=1 chan=13 freq=2472 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=2 chan=36 freq=5180 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=2 chan=40 freq=5200 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=2 chan=44 freq=5220 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=2 chan=48 freq=5240 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=0 chan=1 freq=2412 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=0 chan=2 freq=2417 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=0 chan=3 freq=2422 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=0 chan=4 freq=2427 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=0 chan=5 freq=2432 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=0 chan=6 freq=2437 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=0 chan=7 freq=2442 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=0 chan=8 freq=2447 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=0 chan=9 freq=2452 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=0 chan=10 freq=2457 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=0 chan=11 freq=2462 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=0 chan=12 freq=2467 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Allowed channel: mode=0 chan=13 freq=2472 MHz max_tx_power=20 dBm
Completing interface initialization
Mode: IEEE 802.11g  Channel: 11  Frequency: 2462 MHz
DFS 0 channels required radar detection
nl80211: Set freq 2462 (ht_enabled=0, vht_enabled=0, bandwidth=20 MHz, cf1=2462 MHz, cf2=0 MHz)
  * freq=2462
  * vht_enabled=0
  * ht_enabled=0
  * channel_type=0
RATE[0] rate=10 flags=0x1
RATE[1] rate=20 flags=0x1
RATE[2] rate=55 flags=0x1
RATE[3] rate=110 flags=0x1
RATE[4] rate=60 flags=0x0
RATE[5] rate=90 flags=0x0
RATE[6] rate=120 flags=0x0
RATE[7] rate=180 flags=0x0
RATE[8] rate=240 flags=0x0
RATE[9] rate=360 flags=0x0
RATE[10] rate=480 flags=0x0
RATE[11] rate=540 flags=0x0
hostapd_setup_bss(hapd=0x109c9a0 (wlan0), first=1)
wlan0: Flushing old station entries
nl80211: flush -> DEL_STATION wlan0 (all)
nl80211: Station flush failed: ret=-14 (Bad address)
wlan0: Could not connect to kernel driver
wlan0: Deauthenticate all stations
nl80211: sta_remove -> DEL_STATION wlan0 ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff --> 0 (Success)
wpa_driver_nl80211_set_key: ifindex=3 (wlan0) alg=0 addr=(nil) key_idx=0 set_tx=0 seq_len=0 key_len=0
nl80211: set_key failed; err=-22 Invalid argument)
Failed to clear default encryption keys (ifname=wlan0 keyidx=0)
wpa_driver_nl80211_set_key: ifindex=3 (wlan0) alg=0 addr=(nil) key_idx=1 set_tx=0 seq_len=0 key_len=0
wpa_driver_nl80211_set_key: ifindex=3 (wlan0) alg=0 addr=(nil) key_idx=2 set_tx=0 seq_len=0 key_len=0
nl80211: set_key failed; err=-22 Invalid argument)
Failed to clear default encryption keys (ifname=wlan0 keyidx=2)
wpa_driver_nl80211_set_key: ifindex=3 (wlan0) alg=0 addr=(nil) key_idx=3 set_tx=0 seq_len=0 key_len=0
nl80211: set_key failed; err=-22 Invalid argument)
Failed to clear default encryption keys (ifname=wlan0 keyidx=3)
Using interface wlan0 with hwaddr dc:a6:32:43:9e:92 and ssid "SmartLabHost2G"
Deriving WPA PSK based on passphrase
SSID - hexdump_ascii(len=14):
     53 6d 61 72 74 4c 61 62 48 6f 73 74 32 47         SmartLabHost2G  
PSK (ASCII passphrase) - hexdump_ascii(len=9): [REMOVED]
PSK (from passphrase) - hexdump(len=32): [REMOVED]
random: Got 20/20 random bytes
Get randomness: len=32 entropy=0
GMK - hexdump(len=32): [REMOVED]
Get randomness: len=32 entropy=0
Key Counter - hexdump(len=32): [REMOVED]
WPA: Delay group state machine start until Beacon frames have been configured
nl80211: Set beacon (beacon_set=0)
nl80211: Beacon head - hexdump(len=65): 80 00 00 00 ff ff ff ff ff ff dc a6 32 43 9e 92 dc a6 32 43 9e 92 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 64 00 11 04 00 0e 53 6d 61 72 74 4c 61 62 48 6f 73 74 32 47 01 08 82 84 8b 96 0c 12 18 24 03 01 0b
nl80211: Beacon tail - hexdump(len=37): 2a 01 04 32 04 30 48 60 6c 30 14 01 00 00 0f ac 02 01 00 00 0f ac 02 01 00 00 0f ac 02 00 00 7f 04 00 00 00 02
nl80211: ifindex=3
nl80211: beacon_int=100
nl80211: beacon_rate=0
nl80211: rate_type=0
nl80211: dtim_period=2
nl80211: ssid - hexdump_ascii(len=14):
     53 6d 61 72 74 4c 61 62 48 6f 73 74 32 47         SmartLabHost2G  
  * beacon_int=100
  * dtim_period=2
nl80211: hidden SSID not in use
nl80211: privacy=1
nl80211: auth_algs=0x1
nl80211: wpa_version=0x2
nl80211: key_mgmt_suites=0x2
nl80211: pairwise_ciphers=0x8
nl80211: group_cipher=0x8
nl80211: beacon_ies - hexdump(len=6): 7f 04 00 00 00 02
nl80211: proberesp_ies - hexdump(len=6): 7f 04 00 00 00 02
nl80211: assocresp_ies - hexdump(len=6): 7f 04 00 00 00 02
WPA: Start group state machine to set initial keys
WPA: group state machine entering state GTK_INIT (VLAN-ID 0)
Get randomness: len=32 entropy=0
GTK - hexdump(len=32): [REMOVED]
WPA: group state machine entering state SETKEYSDONE (VLAN-ID 0)
wpa_driver_nl80211_set_key: ifindex=3 (wlan0) alg=2 addr=0x119204 key_idx=1 set_tx=1 seq_len=0 key_len=32
nl80211: KEY_DATA - hexdump(len=32): [REMOVED]
   broadcast key
nl80211: Set wlan0 operstate 0->1 (UP)
netlink: Operstate: ifindex=3 linkmode=-1 (no change), operstate=6 (IF_OPER_UP)
nl80211: TX queue param set: queue=0 aifs=1 cw_min=3 cw_max=7 burst_time=15 --> res=-95
Failed to set TX queue parameters for queue 0.
nl80211: TX queue param set: queue=1 aifs=1 cw_min=7 cw_max=15 burst_time=30 --> res=-95
Failed to set TX queue parameters for queue 1.
nl80211: TX queue param set: queue=2 aifs=3 cw_min=15 cw_max=63 burst_time=0 --> res=-95
Failed to set TX queue parameters for queue 2.
nl80211: TX queue param set: queue=3 aifs=7 cw_min=15 cw_max=1023 burst_time=0 --> res=-95
Failed to set TX queue parameters for queue 3.
wlan0: interface state UNINITIALIZED->ENABLED
wlan0: AP-ENABLED 
wlan0: Setup of interface done.
ctrl_iface not configured!
RTM_NEWLINK: ifi_index=3 ifname=wlan0 operstate=6 linkmode=0 ifi_family=0 ifi_flags=0x11043 ([UP][RUNNING][LOWER_UP])
VLAN: RTM_NEWLINK: ifi_index=3 ifname=wlan0 ifi_family=0 ifi_flags=0x11043 ([UP][RUNNING][LOWER_UP])
VLAN: vlan_newlink(wlan0)

What is causing my AP not to show up?

Answer 1

So while creating this question, I was able to find a solution and figured someone else may also run into the problem, thus leaving this question here incase it could help.

Referring back to this tutorial under the section Set Static IP Address, I would like to bring to attention the network configuration utility dhcpcd.

Solutions

I found that one could either:

1. edit /etc/dhcpcd.conf and add denyinterfaces wlan0 to the bottom of the file, or

2. disable dhcpcd entirely by sudo systemctl disable dhcpcd.service and sudo systemctl disable dhcpcd5.service and stop with sudo systemctl stop dhcpcd.service & sudo systemctl disable dhcpcd5.service

I prefer to disable dhcpcd as I will be using dnsmasq as my dhcp provider, and dnsmasq my will come in conflict with dnsmasq as both run on the same default port 53 (aka domain).

You can check this out by sudo ss -tlp | grep domain with dhcpcd running, and the same with dnsmasq running i.e. both run on the domain port which will cause setup errors down the line.

I hope this helps!