Solution for graphics issues on some Intel graphics chipsets in Fedora 22

Fedora 22 was released recently and it has been a rock solid release. However, systems with Pre-Sandybridge era, Intel-based graphics solutions have seen some issues. For example, an Intel 4 series motherboard with G41 chipset and GMA X4500 graphics might produce a display like this screenshot on Fedora 22 :

Image showing an example of distorted graphics on an Intel X4500 MHD graphics card

Example of distorted graphics on an Intel X4500MHD graphics card

This issue appeared because of a Linux kernel change in version 4. The new Intel graphics driver uses SNA (Sandybridge New Acceleration) architecture for graphics acceleration by default. When coupled with the kernel change, the driver causes this issue. Thanks to Fedora’s active community, bugs were filed in Bugzilla (Bug 1226531 and Bug 1226743) and fixes are on their way. An update to Intel driver is already in stable updates, and a kernel update (to v4.0.5) is in updates-testing repository.

Installing the update from updates-testing

To install the update to fix this issue, first ensure that your system is fully up-to-date from the stable repository. This will include the updated Intel driver package:

sudo dnf update

Then update the kernel with the 4.0.5 version from updates testing:

sudo dnf update kernel --enablerepo=updates-testing

Alternative Workaround

Perhaps you don’t want to install the kernel package from the updates-testing repo. You can still work around this problem by switching to the older, albeit slower UXA (Unified Acceleration Architecture). That option seems to work with affected chipsets. Please note this is not a long term solution, as it might impact performance. Once the issue is fixed via stable updates, you should go back to the improved SNA architecture.

To switch the graphics subsystem from SNA to UXA mode, follow the below procedure:

  1. Create a new text file called /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-intel.conf with your favorite text editor containing the following text. Since this file resides in the /etc folder and not your home directory, you need root or sudo access to create or edit this file:
    Section "Device"
    Identifier  "card0"
    Driver  "intel"
    Option  "AccelMethod"  "uxa"
    EndSection
  2. If the section for Intel card is already present, just add the following line:
    Option   "AccelMethod"   "uxa"
  3. Save the file and reboot.

To revert this change, either delete the added lines, or if you added the entire file delete the file, and reboot.

The system graphics should function properly after this change. Now you can enjoy the awesome Fedora 22 release!

Using Software

25 Comments

  1. dac.override

    I do not believe that just “pre-sandybridge” Intel-based graphics have issues. I am using an i3 5010U, and everything seems to work fine. That is until I change to a different VT. This is when the screen starts scrolling horizontally (I hit the same issue in Anaconda the first time i tried to install Fedora 22 when i tried to change terminal to see the installation progress logs).

  2. Well, most of the users that have reported this issue in the forum discussions, mailing lists and bugzilla seems to be having these older cards only. However, there is no denying the fact that it can happen to newer cards as well.

    In my personal experience, the cards that I have seen almost completely immune to this issue are 3rd and 4rth generation Core i3/5/7 processor supporting chipsets having Intel HD4000 and above as their graphics solution.

  3. Hello,
    after switching Fedora to Walayn I’ve got non stop problem with gdm…
    – non working middle click
    – fault with GIMP
    – refusing to start up program
    – sudden rebooting or halt..

    And I cant switch to GNOM | GNOME Classic, it throw me back to login sceen..

    I’v sent a lot bag reports,

    Model name: Intel(R) core(TM) i7-3770S CPU @ 3.10Hz

    Quite desperate… I like to use Fedora and I don’t know what to do know…

  4. Manel

    It works for me! Thank you!

  5. Kalpesh Khambhalia

    I am afraid to try Fedora 22 again because i had a same graphics problem with it.

  6. Ev

    I was seeing similar behaviour with an Nvidia 7800GTX using both the built in graphics driver or the nvidia supplied one. Strangely it only seemed to happen when the audio driver was also in use (the audio is built into the M/B). Installing the 4.0.5 kernel from updates-testing seems to have fixed the problem. Woohoo. Music whilst I work once again.

  7. user

    I will try this fix to see waht is it

  8. Kalpesh Khambhalia

    I upgraded 21 to 22 in HP Core2Due and it’s working fine after run below command,

    update the kernel with the 4.0.5 version from updates testing:
    “sudo dnf update kernel –enablerepo=updates-testing”

  9. Geoff

    Hi, I used the workaround method a month ago to solve this problem but am keen to sort it permanently. So now I can install the kernal upgrade and this will fix it, but I must remove the etc/ file I created.

    Can you please explain in more detail this process as I don’t want to stuff things further. Do i install the kernal update first? Do i need to log into terminal etc to delete this file – can you please provide the steps/command lines required if so? Or do i just open that folder and delete?

    Thanks for your assistance !

    Geoff

  10. Frank Alex

    405 worked for me

  11. Geoff

    Hello Fedora! Could you please add some detail to your solution so all of your users and not just the experts can be included. Thank you.

    • @Geoff :

      Hi, The kernel update 4.0.5 is currently being pushed to stable updates repository so you can simply update your system using “sudo dnf update –refresh” command as usual after the push is complete to all mirrors. Reboot with the new kernel after installation so that you know that it’s working fine.

      Post that, you can delete the file from terminal. Just open a terminal and give “sudo rm /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-intel.conf”. Log out and login back and check, the issue shouldn’t bother you again.

      If you find any other difficulty following the steps, let us know here in the comments.

      Cheers!

      • Geoff

        Thank you! Updated kernal and code entered but not sure what outcome of this is – ie nothing happened in the terminal. Should the file have now disappeared from the etc folder?

        Geoff.

        • Hi, yes the file 20-intel.conf should have been deleted from the /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/ . You can check it using terminal or file manager. After deleting this file and logout/reboot if you are not getting the issue again, then you are good to go 🙂

          • Geoff

            Yep, it’s gone – all sorted now so thank you for all your help !

  12. Abba A. Bashir

    As you have given us the text for copy, please help us to know where to paste it on our laptop.

  13. r3S1L13n7

    I tried the first method but it didn’t work. My display is still fuzzy. I am using an Intel® G33

  14. Maliktunga

    I still have issues with graphics.
    Intel® 965GM
    GNOME Version 3.16.2
    Linux 4.0.8-300.fc22.x86_64

    • HI Maliktunga,

      First up, be sure to update your system — it probably won’t fix your issue, but I know there is a newer version of GNOME available in the Fedora repos, so check your system is up-to-date, then see if you are still having the issues.

      If you still have issues after ensuring your system is fully up-to-date, the best avenue for getting your bug fixed is filing a bug in Bugzilla — be sure to provide as much info as possible, including screenshots if the issues manifest as visual issues.

      TO file a new bug against the intel driver in Fedora 22, use this link: https://bugzilla.redhat.com/enter_bug.cgi?product=Fedora&component=xorg-x11-drv-intel&version=22

  15. brahma reddy

    thanks…. it works fine

  16. alan

    Thanks for this post, it worked for me. I was trying to figure out this problem for a couple hours until I read this article.

  17. Les

    Great fix! Worked for me on a HP Pavillon Notebook!

    Thanks 🙂

  18. rucch

    I have tried to apply the solution but it didnt work on Linux localhost.localdomain 4.1.7-100.fc21.x86_64 #1 SMP Mon Sep 14 21:46:00 UTC 2015 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
    I had to restore using a linux cd-rom
    It didnt load after the GNOME when loading

    • rucch

      I have tried the Alternative Workaround
      If not necessary go back to the old UXA,
      should I do the kernel update instead? is it working now?
      cheers

  19. Marcos

    I have the same problem. Is it fixed now? I fully updated my system and the issue persisted. After changing to UXA the stuttering was gone.

    Has an official fix been released?

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