Then I suggest that you install XFCE or MATE or Gnome, and stop using KDE. The use of “kwallet” has been integrated into KDE since forever. If you don’t like the design, choose a different desktop.
If you want to keep using KDE, then reinstall “kwallet” if you have not already done so.
No such icon in the tray. Using yast is a dead end: ESSID and Encryption key are entered etc.
(following the same procedure as before the self-inflickted wound when everything worked, ref below).
The reason that there’s no icon in the tray, is because you have apparently switched to using “wicked” for network settings, instead of using “NetworkManager”. You can switch it back if you prefer NetworkManager, but you will need to have “kwallet” installed for that.
No diskette icon found.
That’s only when using NetworkManager. If you have switched to “wicked” then Yast is the way to handle network settings. I never had a problem with that.
Network manager quits without any comment, wifi not running.
If you have switched to using “wicked”, then NetworkManager quits without comment. You will need to use Yast to switch back to NetworkManager.
One interesting aspect of the documentation: The reference on 42.3 (section 28) presumes one
is running GNOME, what about KDE users?
I’m not sure what documentation you are referring to. NetworkManager works fine with KDE. I’m using it on my laptop. I’m using “wicked” on my main desktop (where I am typing this).
I think the best way to get wifi working again is by (correctly) installing KWallet
and NetworkManager via the Konsole, any hints?
It will be easier to do when logged into KDE – assuming that still works. If you have broken KDE, then at the desktop login, you should be able to choose “Icewm” and login there. Then run Yast to get to Yast Software Management.
In Yast, I suggest that you select the “Patterns” view, and then make sure that the KDE Plasma pattern is checked. I think that will reinstall anything that is missing and needed for KDE to run. I can’t test that, because I don’t wish to remove “kwallet” in order to try it out.
PS On ‘all over the place’:
After the last update (all updates installed), I wanted to enter the password
for my local newspaper. At this point KWallet intervened, requesting me to
enter the password for KWallet and enter the password for the newspaper.
I was able to circumvent the problem, but it popped up the next time a
password was requested, and the next, and …
Actually, “kwallet” doesn’t do that. Your Browser request to open “kwallet” for accessing/storing the network password. I’m not sure what browser you are using. I use “firefox” and it does not request “kwallet”. If I use “qupzilla”, it request “kwallet” during browser startup. I’m not sure about “vivaldi”. I think it requests “kwallet” the first time that a password is needed. I’m also not sure about “chromium”. For me, “kwallet” is already open before I start either “vivaldi” or “chromium”.
In your main menu, there should be an entry for “KWalletManager”. It is under “System”.
Run that. Then click on “Settings → Configure Wallet”.
There should be a section there with heading “Close wallet”.
Uncheck all three boxes in that section. And then click “OK” or “Apply”. After that change, “kwallet” should stay open for your entire KDE session until you logout. You will only be prompted for the password once per login. If that is too much, then change the “kwallet” password to blank and you will never be bothered again.