[SOLVED] How do I fix screen tearing?

Forum rules
Before you post read how to get help. Topics in this forum are automatically closed 6 months after creation.
Locked
Eliotisnotconfused
Level 1
Level 1
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2021 1:00 pm

[SOLVED] How do I fix screen tearing?

Post by Eliotisnotconfused »

How do I fix screen tearing on Linux Mint? My laptop is a hybrid and it uses PRIME as a way to reduce tearing. However, I have no idea how to enable it.
When I type in:
xrandr --properties | grep PRIME


It shows that all outputs are on "1" except for one, which is set on "0". Could this be why I have screen tearing?

Im using Linux Mint Xfce and these are my specs:

Code: Select all

System:    Kernel: 5.4.0-88-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 9.3.0 Desktop: Xfce 4.16.0 
           tk: Gtk 3.24.20 wm: xfwm4 dm: LightDM Distro: Linux Mint 20.2 Uma 
           base: Ubuntu 20.04 focal 
Machine:   Type: Laptop System: Sony product: SVF15A1S2ES v: C10H54LL serial: <filter> Chassis: 
           type: 10 serial: <filter> 
           Mobo: Sony model: VAIO serial: <filter> UEFI: Insyde v: R0200DA date: 03/26/2013 
Battery:   ID-1: BAT1 charge: 16.4 Wh condition: 16.4/44.2 Wh (37%) volts: 3.7/10.8 
           model: SONY Corp. VGP-BPS34 serial: <filter> status: Full 
CPU:       Topology: Dual Core model: Intel Core i7-3537U bits: 64 type: MT MCP arch: Ivy Bridge 
           rev: 9 L2 cache: 4096 KiB 
           flags: avx lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx bogomips: 19953 
           Speed: 2893 MHz min/max: 800/3100 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 2893 2: 2893 3: 2893 
           4: 2893 
Graphics:  Device-1: Intel 3rd Gen Core processor Graphics vendor: Sony driver: i915 v: kernel 
           bus ID: 00:02.0 chip ID: 8086:0166 
           Device-2: NVIDIA GK208M [GeForce GT 735M] vendor: Sony driver: nvidia v: 390.144 
           bus ID: 01:00.0 chip ID: 10de:1291 
           Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.11 driver: modesetting,nvidia 
           unloaded: fbdev,nouveau,vesa compositor: compton resolution: 1920x1080~60Hz 
           OpenGL: renderer: GeForce GT 735M/PCIe/SSE2 v: 4.6.0 NVIDIA 390.144 direct render: Yes 
Does anyone know how to help me? Im new to Linux so I dont know much.
Last edited by LockBot on Wed Dec 28, 2022 7:16 am, edited 3 times in total.
Reason: Topic automatically closed 6 months after creation. New replies are no longer allowed.
Hoser Rob
Level 20
Level 20
Posts: 11796
Joined: Sat Dec 15, 2012 8:57 am

Re: How do I fix screen tearing?

Post by Hoser Rob »

No Nvidia expert here but I just saw your new thread and I don't think it's going to solve the issue any better. It actually looks like straw grasping to me.

You're on Xfce, your WM is listed in the inxi output as Xfwm. Are you using just Xfwm4 or also with a compositor? Using a compositor is a way to fix Nvidia tearing, but I'm not sure which compositor you'd want.

I'd go to settings > desktop settings > Window Manager. Right click to bring up the pulldown menu. Try 'Xfwm4 + Compton' first.
For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong - H. L. Mencken
Eliotisnotconfused
Level 1
Level 1
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2021 1:00 pm

Re: How do I fix screen tearing?

Post by Eliotisnotconfused »

Thanks alot for your reply!
I looked and it seems as if I already set it to Compton.
Is there another way to fix the screen tearing issue?
Have a nice day!
User avatar
roblm
Level 15
Level 15
Posts: 5939
Joined: Sun Feb 24, 2013 2:41 pm

Re: How do I fix screen tearing?

Post by roblm »

You are using Nvidia Performance mode now. Does the tearing also occur when using Intel Power Saving mode?
Eliotisnotconfused
Level 1
Level 1
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2021 1:00 pm

Re: How do I fix screen tearing?

Post by Eliotisnotconfused »

Huh. I tried it out and it seems as if it doesnt occur when I try out Intel Power saving mode.
Pretty cool, I guess. Will this lower my perfomance tho? I dont play games or anything, so it doesnt matter to me, but Im just curious.
Thanks for your answer! I can now finally watch videos without the horrible tearing!
User avatar
roblm
Level 15
Level 15
Posts: 5939
Joined: Sun Feb 24, 2013 2:41 pm

Re: How do I fix screen tearing?

Post by roblm »

Intel Power Saving mode should be whenever possible because it uses less power, so it saves battery life and there is less likely a chance for overheating. Switch to Nvidia Performance mode when you need greater graphics processing power. This can be for certain programs, video or 3D games that run too slow or the image quality needs to be improved.

What is the output of this command: ls /lib/modprobe.d/
Eliotisnotconfused
Level 1
Level 1
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2021 1:00 pm

Re: How do I fix screen tearing?

Post by Eliotisnotconfused »

Thanks for your answer!
When I run the command you gave me, I get the following response from the terminal:

Code: Select all

aliases.conf                           blacklist-nvidia.conf
blacklist_linux_5.4.0-74-generic.conf  fbdev-blacklist.conf
blacklist_linux_5.4.0-77-generic.conf  nvidia-graphics-drivers.conf
blacklist_linux_5.4.0-88-generic.conf  systemd.conf
blacklist_linux_5.4.0-89-generic.conf
Have a nice day and I appreciate your answers alot!
Last edited by SMG on Thu Oct 21, 2021 1:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Use code tags instead of c tags for multi-line code output so the formatting is retained.
User avatar
roblm
Level 15
Level 15
Posts: 5939
Joined: Sun Feb 24, 2013 2:41 pm

Re: How do I fix screen tearing?

Post by roblm »

Try this method to prevent tearing when using Performance mode.

Use this command to create a nvidia-kms.conf file: sudo touch /lib/modprobe.d/nvidia-kms.conf

Open the file for editing: xed admin:///lib/modprobe.d/nvidia-kms.conf

Add this line: options nvidia-drm modeset=1

Update the initial ramdisk and reboot: sudo update-initramfs -u

Switch to Performance mode to test.
Eliotisnotconfused
Level 1
Level 1
Posts: 7
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2021 1:00 pm

Re: How do I fix screen tearing?

Post by Eliotisnotconfused »

WOW! YOU DID IT! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Im finally free of the annoying tearing!

I tried so many methods (2 of them even broke my system and I had a black screen at startup and I had to reinstall), but this one worked!

I cant tell you how thankful I am!

I can finally enjoy Linux Mint!
Locked

Return to “Graphics Cards & Monitors”