Qubes OS becomes extremely slow and breaks input after reboot or updates
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MellowCactus47
I installed Qubes OS on a Framework 12 laptop from 2025 with 16 GB of RAM and an Intel Raptor Lake processor. The initial session works normally, but after shutting down and logging back in, the system becomes extremely slow and parts of the interface appear in the wrong places. After applying updates and rebooting, the trackpad can also make the cursor jump or fly off-screen. Some people suggested that the problem might be insufficient RAM, but I'm confused about why everything works correctly during the first session. What logs or hardware details should I check to diagnose this?
Answers
Start by checking the logs from dom0, since that is the main administrative environment in Qubes. Look for errors from the previous boot involving Xen, graphics, the display server, or the input devices. You can compare the current boot with the previous one using commands such as `journalctl -b -1 -p warning` and inspect the current boot with `journalctl -b`. Also check whether the issue begins immediately after a Qubes or kernel update.
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Qubes is built around the Xen type-1 hypervisor, with Linux-based components running in separate virtual machines. That distinction matters because problems after a reboot may involve dom0, Xen, the graphics stack, or a particular kernel rather than just normal Linux memory usage. Sixteen gigabytes can be workable, but heavy VM use may still cause swapping and severe slowdowns. Check memory and swap usage in dom0, and note whether the problem happens before any additional virtual machines are started.
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MellowCactus47: I had assumed Qubes was simply a Linux distribution. I’ll check the dom0 logs first—are those the right logs to start with?