Second display is not detected from time to time

[JustArz]

Hello community!

I recently moved from Windows to Zorin OS, and I’m still fairly new to Linux. I’m currently experiencing some issues with a dual-monitor setup.

I have one monitor connected via HDMI and another via DisplayPort. Sometimes, after locking the screen for a while or shutting down the PC, the DisplayPort monitor is not recognized until I unplug it and plug it back in.

I’m almost certain this is related to the NVIDIA drivers I’m using. I’ve tested several different driver versions but haven’t been able to decide which one to stick with. Every time I switch drivers, the monitor starts working again without needing to unplug it.

I’m running an NVIDIA RTX 3060. Here are my system specs:

Zorin OS Edition: Zorin OS 18 Core

uname -a
Linux zorin-arz-dev 6.14.0-37-generic #37~24.04.1-Ubuntu SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Thu Nov 20 10:25:38 UTC 2 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

sudo lshw -C video
  *-display                 
       description: VGA compatible controller
       product: GA106 [GeForce RTX 3060 Lite Hash Rate]
       vendor: NVIDIA Corporation
       physical id: 0
       bus info: pci@0000:01:00.0
       logical name: /dev/fb0
       version: a1
       width: 64 bits
       clock: 33MHz
       capabilities: pm msi pciexpress vga_controller bus_master cap_list rom fb
       configuration: depth=32 driver=nvidia latency=0 resolution=1920,1080
       resources: irq:83 memory:fb000000-fbffffff memory:d0000000-dfffffff memory:e0000000-e1ffffff ioport:f000(size=128) memory:fc000000-fc07ffff

Available NVIDIA Drivers:

Any insights in what might be causing this behavior would be greatly appreciated.

Please let me know if any additional info is required.

Thank you very much!

[zenzen]

Hi, and welcome to Zorin OS!

If you go into Settings → Display, does this show all your monitors?

@JustArz

I’m almost certain this is related to the NVIDIA drivers I’m using.

Nvidia has not been a good company to work with, as far as Linux development is concerned, so you are probably not too far off.

[JustArz]

Hi @zenzen

No, it does not appear on settings

With different driver versions, I get different behavior when I plug the monitor back in.

Sometimes all my display settings are lost and I have to configure everything again.

Sometimes the screen goes black, but the mouse cursor can still move onto the monitor.

And sometimes it works as expected.

However, almost every time, the monitor disappears from the display settings.

I haven´t found yet what triggers this.

[Ponce-De-Leon]

Are both Monitors connected to Your Graphics Card? Did You tried different Cables? Because You use an Nvidia Card: Does Your System run in Wayland or X11? You can check that with the Command echo $XDG_SESSION_TYPE

@JustArz

Is there a Reason why You use as Driver the server-open Driver? I would suggest to try the normal one.

Type in Terminal first:

sudo apt purge nvidia* libnvidia*

to remove all Nvidia Drivers. Then:

sudo apt autoremove

to remove File Rests. And then:

sudo apt install nvidia-driver-580 nvidia-dkms-580

[JustArz]

Hi @Ponce-De-Leon

Thanks for the help and insights. Answering your questions:

1. Have I tried different cables?
   Not yet. I bought them recently and they work without any issues on Windows. I’m currently using UGREEN HDMI and DP cables, both 3 meters long.

2. Wayland or X11?
   X11.

3. Is there a reason for using the server-open driver?
   Not really. I’m not fully aware of the differences between the drivers. A forum recommended using the proprietary ones, so I picked what I thought was the most recent version.

I’ll give the driver you recommended a try. Thanks for the help.

I’ll update the thread if the issue persists.

[StarTreker]

I always run the straight proprietary driver, not server, not open kernel. I see that you are new to Linux, and you are doing your best, and that you are learning, this is good!

Here's what I am using...

Its good that you are not using Wayland, as that typically means a bad day for Linux users.

Also, make sure that Secure Boot is disabled in your computer's BIOS. That being enabled, will also give Linux users a bad day.

If everything is right with the world, you should see your dual monitor setup in Nvidia X Server Settings APP, and can properly config it there.

---

[JustArz]

Hi @StarTreker!

Thank you very much for your detailed answer. I’m trying to learn as much as I can, as I’m really fascinated by Linux.

Regarding your comments, I do have Secure Boot disabled, and following @zenzen’s recommendation, I’m now running the same driver as you.

However, this afternoon, after not using my PC for a while, the issue came back. The temporary solution is still to unplug and plug the cable again, but this is starting to become annoying.

I’m beginning to think it might be related to my monitor rather than Zorin, since this only happens when I’m away from the PC for several hours.

I also wanted to ask whether the Save to X Configuration File option might help with this issue.

Once again, thank you for all the insights.

[StarTreker]

Now, thats starting to sound like power saving options are activating, their enabled by default on every system, and many have issues with them, like not coming back out of sleep.

Turn off the dim screen when inactive.

Set Blank Screen to Never.

Set Automatic Suspend to only on batter power, or toggle it off completely.

Probably best to turn off the power saving features for WIFI & Bluetooth.

And you probably are going to want your power button to actually act like a power button and power off.

Additionally, you get more features in Zorin OS 17 & 18, not found on OS 16, such as the power profile setting. Typically its set to balanced, your probably going to want full performance.

Having said that, since you have an Nvidia GPU, there is another power profile setting you can use, its in Nvidia X Server Settings, Prime Profiles tab.

Performance mode, means that it will use your Nvidia GPU more, especially in gaming, might help as well, having it in performance mode.

---

[JustArz]

Understood! Since I’m not on a laptop, I don’t have as many options as you, but I’ll do everything I can related to the matter. I’ll keep investigating and will update you if anything comes up.

Thank you very much!