Saving xorg config from NVIDIA X results in built-in display not recognized

Graphics / Linux Linux
1

Good morning all,
I’d like to report a bug where saving my nvidia configuration in NVIDIA X server leads to my built in display becoming unrecognized by my OS. The display works during boot loading, and I am able to enter my disk encryption password. It turns black upon OS load, and x server/my OS display settings no longer lists it as an output device. When I check my xorg.conf file after saving from xserver, I do not see my built in display listed either. Specs:

  • Pop!_OS 20.04 LTS
  • GeForce RTX 2060/PCIe/SSE2
  • nvidia driver 440.100

I’m running two displays and my built-in. Displays are on HDMI and minidisplay port (I don’t think it’s relevant but just trying to be as verbose as possible).

Please let me know what other information/logs I can provide for better diagnosis of this issue. Appreciate the help!

2 Likes
2

seems like this might be a related issue (but it’s from 2013 so who knows): Nvidia device and external screen detected but no detection for internal notebook display

3

I face the same problem. According to this post, dual graphics cards setup on laptops is incomplete. According to the post below, if bios supports disabling of switching by disabling the primary graphics chipset, (Mostly Intel) the problem gets resolved because then, the secondary chipset (Nvidia here) drives the builtin-display too. Since my laptop bios does not support that feature, I cannot save the Xserver configuration from Nvidia configuration utility. If saved, the builtin display (eDP-1-1) of laptop goes blank after disk encryption unlock. From there, only the external monitor connected to Nvidia graphics chip works and that display is set as primary. Even disconnecting external monitor does not bring back the builtin panel on. See this thread below -

Hardware configuration:
HP Envy 15 ep0123tx
Pop!_OS 20.04 LTS
Chip drives builtin panel - Intel UHD graphics
Chip drives external ports: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti with MaxQ Design
Nvidia Driver Ver: 470.57.02

4

Exactly same issue with version 525.78.01

5

Hey, I know this issue is a bit old at this point, however, I wanted to post a solution that worked for me. For some reason, the XServer config saves a config that does not include your built in laptop monitor. If you don’t want to edit any XServer settings, the easiest solution is to just keep the file /etc/X11/xorg.conf empty and not press the “Save to configuration file” button in XServer settings.

However, if you want to change XServer settings, you need to follow the solution here: PRIME display is not detected after generating xorg.conf file - #2 by generix . The solution does work, however, copying the Full Composition Pipeline setting as suggested in the solution did not work. Instead, first select any settings you want to apply, then click Save to configuration file to create a broken configuration file. In the config file (for me it was at the bottom) copy the corresponding settings line which starts with Option and place that where the Option line is in the linked solution.

For me, I am using the Nvidia performance mode and wanted to enable the Force Full Composition Pipeline setting (to fix some frame tearing issues). I followed the steps to create the broken config file and scrolled to the bottom where I copied the line:

Option "metamodes" "nvidia-auto-select +1920+0 {ForceCompositionPipeline=On, ForceFullCompositionPipeline=On}"

I pasted that line so that the file /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-nvidia-myoptions.conf looks like this:

Section "OutputClass"
    Identifier "nvidia"
    MatchDriver "nvidia-drm"
    Driver "nvidia"
Option "metamodes" "nvidia-auto-select +1920+0 {ForceCompositionPipeline=On, ForceFullCompositionPipeline=On}"
EndSection

Now when I reboot, I get both my screens (in performance mode as I wanted) and the “Force Full Composition Pipeline” option is enabled.