I've recently started transitioning to Linux, but honestly, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with the whole experience. I've been trying different distros, but I keep running into the same frustrating issue. I'm using a Ryzen 9 5950x with an RTX 3090. I know that Nvidia and Linux don't always get along too well, but I've seen others with similar setups having a smooth experience.
I began with Fedora KDE Plasma, which worked decently until my PC went to sleep while I was away. When I returned, I had no display. I managed to get it back by removing the Nvidia drivers through the terminal, but it was slow without them. I reinstalled the drivers, but the issue recurred.
Next, I tried Nobara, and while it started off okay, I faced the same black screen problems. I've since tried several other distros like CachyOS and Nobara with GNOME, but the dark screen issue persists. It's stressing me out because I really want to switch, knowing that all my key programs work in Linux. But with this ongoing display issue, I'm hesitant. Any advice on how to resolve these problems would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
From what you’ve described, it definitely seems like a recurring hibernation or sleep issue specific to Nvidia. You might want to check out your logs with `journalctl` when the issue happens to see if anything stands out. Also, consider looking into some Ubuntu-based distros like Pop!_OS or just plain Ubuntu; they often have better support for Nvidia drivers. Good luck with your switch!
Honestly, I had zero problems with Linux Mint and my 3080. It runs great, even with dual 4K monitors. Mint seems to be well-suited for Nvidias. If you're still struggling with other distros, you might want to consider switching back to Mint for a smoother experience. It has been reliable for gaming and productivity without major hiccups.
It sounds like you're dealing with a typical power management issue with Nvidia drivers on Linux. I suggest trying to enable the `nvidia-powerd` service, which can help with power management. You can do this by running `sudo systemctl enable nvidia-powerd` and `sudo systemctl start nvidia-powerd`. Also, check your graphics card's power settings—setting it to "on-demand" can help too. Sometimes just logging out and back in can also reset some issues, so give that a shot too!
I didn't know about the logs, but I'll definitely check them out tomorrow! Thanks!