Install Asus WMI Screenpad Module on Ubuntu

asus-wmi-screenpad-ubuntu-installation.md

Important

Please disable the Secure Boot before running the following commands.

---

1. Install the prerequisite packages (skip if already installed)

sudo apt install dkms
sudo apt install linux-headers-generic

2. Install & build Asus WMI Screenpad module

sudo mkdir /usr/src/asus-wmi-1.0
cd /usr/src/asus-wmi-1.0
sudo wget 'https://github.com/Plippo/asus-wmi-screenpad/archive/master.zip'
sudo unzip master.zip
sudo mv asus-wmi-screenpad-master/* .
sudo rmdir asus-wmi-screenpad-master
sudo rm master.zip
sudo sh prepare-for-current-kernel.sh
sudo dkms add -m asus-wmi -v 1.0
sudo dkms build -m asus-wmi -v 1.0 --force
sudo dkms install -m asus-wmi -v 1.0 --force

3. Restart your computer

sudo reboot

4. Blacklist the interfering built-in module

echo "blacklist mfd_aaeon" | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/aaeon-blacklist.conf
sudo update-initramfs -k all -u

5. Create a new udev rule to run the command without using sudo

sudo echo '# rules for asus_nb_wmi devices
# make screenpad backlight brightness write-able by everyone
ACTION=="add", SUBSYSTEM=="leds", KERNEL=="asus::screenpad", RUN+="/bin/chmod a+w /sys/class/leds/%k/brightness"' | sudo tee /etc/udev/rules.d/99-asus.rules

6. Restart your computer

sudo reboot

7. Install Asus Screenpad Control to control the Screenpad using GUI Application

sudo apt install -y libgtk-3-dev build-essential gcc pkg-config make
wget 'https://github.com/lakinduakash/asus-screenpad-control/archive/master.zip'
unzip master.zip
cd asus-screenpad-control
make
sudo make install

8. Finish!

Now you can open the Screenpad Control via Ubuntu Search Menu to control the Screenpad.