Troubleshooting

This guide contains some issues that one might face while using Linux, along with the solutions and resources to get help.

1

1. GRUB is Broken

Problem: GRUB stopped working due to a Windows update or another issue.

Fix: Reinstall GRUB using a live ISO.

Steps

  1. Boot from the same ISO you used to install your OS.

  2. Open a terminal and identify your root (/) and EFI (/boot) partitions:

    lsblk

  • Lists all block devices and partitions. Identify the root and EFI partitions.

  • Example: /dev/nvme0n1p2 (root) and /dev/nvme0n1p1 (EFI)

  1. Follow the commands for your distro:

Arch

mount /dev/X /mnt               # Mount root partition to /mnt
mount /dev/Y /mnt/boot          # Mount EFI partition to /mnt/boot
arch-chroot /mnt                # Change root into the mounted system
pacman -S grub efibootmgr os-prober  # Install GRUB and related tools
grub-install --target=x86_64-efi --efi-directory=/boot/efi --bootloader-id=grub  # Install GRUB to EFI
grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg  # Generate GRUB configuration

Ubuntu

sudo su                         # Become root
mount /dev/X /mnt               # Mount root partition
mount /dev/Y /mnt/boot          # Mount EFI partition
for i in /dev /dev/pts /proc /sys /run; do mount -B $i /mnt$i; done  # Bind system dirs to chroot
chroot /mnt                     # Enter mounted system

# Install GRUB to the disk
grub-install /dev/nvme0n1

# If EFI variables cannot be set, mount efivarfs and retry
mount -t efivarfs none /sys/firmware/efi/efivars
grub-install /dev/nvme0n1
update-grub                     # Generate GRUB configuration

Fedora

mount /dev/X /mnt               # Mount root partition
mount /dev/Y /mnt/boot          # Mount EFI partition
sudo systemd-nspawn -D /mnt     # Enter mounted system via systemd-nspawn
grub2-install /dev/sda          # Install GRUB to the disk
grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/grub2/grub.cfg  # Generate GRUB configuration
exit                             # Leave systemd-nspawn
sudo umount /mnt/boot /mnt      # Unmount partitions

Reboot without the live media.

2

2. NTFS Drive Can't Be Opened

Problem: NTFS is proprietary, some distros lack built-in support.

Fix: Install ntfs-3g (adds NTFS read/write support).

  • Arch:

sudo pacman -S ntfs-3g

  • Debian/Ubuntu:

sudo apt install ntfs-3g

  • Fedora:

sudo dnf install ntfs-3g

Running Steam or other games from an NTFS partition will not work, you will need to reinstall them on a Linux filesystem.

3

3. Brightness Doesn’t Work in Hybrid Mode

Fix: Add kernel parameters.

sudo nano /etc/default/grub     # Edit GRUB configuration file

Replace:

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="rhgb quiet"

With:

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="rhgb quiet pcie_aspm=force acpi_backlight=native"

Update GRUB:

  • Arch:

sudo grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

  • Fedora:

grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/grub2/grub.cfg

  • Ubuntu:

sudo update-grub

Reboot.

4

4. Apps Not Using dGPU in Hybrid Mode

Fix: Install and enable switcheroo-control (GPU switching service).

sudo pacman -S switcheroo-control                
sudo systemctl enable --now switcheroo-control

Most distributions like Fedora, Ubuntu, and many others include a GPU switching service by default, but many Arch Linux-based distributions do not. This guide is mainly for Arch-based distros.

5

5. Fn Keys Not Working

Certain keys like Fn+F5, Fn+F4, or the Armoury Crate key may not work. Check the post-install guide for steps to enable them.

6

6. Black Screen After Installing NVIDIA Drivers

Possible Fix:

  1. Enable Secure Boot in BIOS temporarily: This will block unsigned NVIDIA drivers from loading, allowing the system to boot so you can fix the drivers.

  2. Once booted, either:

    • Reinstall the NVIDIA drivers

    • Force rebuild the NVIDIA kernel module:

      • Arch:

      sudo mkinitcpio -P   # Regenerate initramfs for all kernels

      • Fedora:

      sudo dracut --force  # Rebuild initramfs

  • After that, disable Secure Boot in BIOS so the signed/working drivers can load normally.

7

7. Live ISO Freezes Before Installer Loads

Possible Cause: GPU driver conflict. Workaround: Disable the dGPU in Windows, then re-enable it after completing the setup and installing supergfxctl.

8

8. Help Resources

I can’t include every possible problem and solution here. If you encounter an issue not listed, it’s best to search online, many issues have already been solved on Reddit, distro-specific forums, or other Linux communities. Here are some recommended resources.

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