<SOLVED> Driver Manager stuck on "Looking for hardware drivers..." and is taking up ~80% of the CPU

[jacer]

Just got my first laptop today and downloaded Linux Mint Cinnamon alongside Windows 11. Trying to set this thing up and I don't think the Driver Manager is functioning correctly (or that it's good for my laptop at all). I left it on that screen for about 35 minutes before deciding to close out of it.

Here's a screenshot of my system monitor:

[SMG]

Just got my first laptop today and downloaded Linux Mint Cinnamon alongside Windows 11. Trying to set this thing up and I don't think the Driver Manager is functioning correctly (or that it's good for my laptop at all). I left it on that screen for about 35 minutes before deciding to close out of it.

Welcome to the forum, jacer.

Did you use the Linux Mint 20.3 "Una" - Cinnamon (Edge) ISO when you installed? Very new hardware usually needs a newer kernel series to work properly.

Please open the System Reports app and click the System Information tab on the left. Your computer's information should come up in the right pane. Then click Copy and paste the results into a reply window here so we can see how Linux Mint views your hardware.

[jacer]

Did you use the Linux Mint 20.3 "Una" - Cinnamon (Edge) ISO when you installed? Very new hardware usually needs a newer kernel series to work properly.

Please open the System Reports app and click the System Information tab on the left. Your computer's information should come up in the right pane. Then click Copy and paste the results into a reply window here so we can see how Linux Mint views your hardware.

Code: Select all

System:    Kernel: 5.4.0-91-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 9.3.0 Desktop: Cinnamon 5.2.7 
           wm: muffin dm: LightDM Distro: Linux Mint 20.3 Una base: Ubuntu 20.04 focal 
Machine:   Type: Laptop System: HP product: HP Laptop 15-dy2xxx v: N/A serial: <filter> Chassis: 
           type: 10 serial: <filter> 
           Mobo: HP model: 87FE v: 57.20 serial: <filter> UEFI: AMI v: F.21 date: 03/21/2022 
Battery:   ID-1: BAT0 charge: 24.8 Wh condition: 42.4/41.0 Wh (103%) volts: 11.9/11.4 
           model: HP Primary serial: <filter> status: Charging 
CPU:       Topology: Quad Core model: 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 bits: 64 type: MT MCP 
           arch: Tiger Lake rev: 1 L2 cache: 12.0 MiB 
           flags: avx avx2 lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx bogomips: 44851 
           Speed: 2600 MHz min/max: 400/4700 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 2600 2: 2595 3: 2596 
           4: 2591 5: 2600 6: 2600 7: 2597 8: 2592 
Graphics:  Device-1: Intel vendor: Hewlett-Packard driver: N/A bus ID: 0000:00:02.0 
           chip ID: 8086:9a49 
           Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.11 driver: fbdev unloaded: modesetting,vesa 
           resolution: 1920x1080~77Hz 
           OpenGL: renderer: llvmpipe (LLVM 12.0.0 256 bits) v: 4.5 Mesa 21.0.3 compat-v: 3.1 
           direct render: Yes 
Audio:     Device-1: Intel vendor: Hewlett-Packard driver: sof-audio-pci bus ID: 0000:00:1f.3 
           chip ID: 8086:a0c8 
           Sound Server: ALSA v: k5.4.0-91-generic 
Network:   Device-1: Realtek RTL8821CE 802.11ac PCIe Wireless Network Adapter 
           vendor: Hewlett-Packard driver: N/A port: 3000 bus ID: 0000:01:00.0 chip ID: 10ec:c821 
           IF-ID-1: enx42c7118f5eac state: up speed: N/A duplex: N/A mac: <filter> 
Drives:    Local Storage: total: 476.94 GiB used: 76.04 GiB (15.9%) 
           ID-1: /dev/nvme0n1 model: KBG50ZNV512G KIOXIA size: 476.94 GiB speed: 63.2 Gb/s 
           lanes: 4 serial: <filter> 
RAID:      Hardware-1: Intel Volume Management Device NVMe RAID Controller driver: vmd v: 0.6 
           bus ID: 0000:00:0e.0 chip ID: 8086.9a0b 
Partition: ID-1: / size: 214.46 GiB used: 16.34 GiB (7.6%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/nvme0n1p5 
USB:       Hub: 1-0:1 info: Full speed (or root) Hub ports: 12 rev: 2.0 chip ID: 1d6b:0002 
           Device-1: 1-2:9 info: Apple iPhone5/5C/5S/6 type: Still Imaging driver: ipheth,usbfs 
           rev: 2.0 chip ID: 05ac:12a8 
           Device-2: 1-3:2 info: DJKCVA19IGI58R HP TrueVision HD Camera type: Video 
           driver: uvcvideo rev: 2.0 chip ID: 30c9:0013 
           Device-3: 1-5:3 info: Melfas LGDisplay Incell Touch type: HID 
           driver: hid-generic,hid-multitouch,usbhid rev: 2.0 chip ID: 1fd2:b002 
           Device-4: 1-10:4 info: Realtek Bluetooth Radio type: Bluetooth driver: btusb rev: 1.1 
           chip ID: 0bda:b00e 
           Hub: 2-0:1 info: Full speed (or root) Hub ports: 4 rev: 3.1 chip ID: 1d6b:0003 
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 66.0 C mobo: N/A 
           Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A 
Repos:     No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list 
           Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-package-repositories.list 
           1: deb http: //packages.linuxmint.com una main upstream import backport #id:linuxmint_main
           2: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal main restricted universe multiverse
           3: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates main restricted universe multiverse
           4: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-backports main restricted universe multiverse
           5: deb http: //security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-security main restricted universe multiverse
           6: deb http: //archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/ focal partner
Info:      Processes: 284 Uptime: 3h 40m Memory: 15.29 GiB used: 3.94 GiB (25.8%) Init: systemd 
           v: 245 runlevel: 5 Compilers: gcc: 9.3.0 alt: 9 Client: Unknown python3.8 client 
           inxi: 3.0.38

[SMG]

The graphics drivers your hardware is missing are in newer kernels. They are not in Driver Manger because Driver Manager is only for proprietary drivers and Intel drivers are not proprietary.

Graphics:
Device-1: Intel vendor: Hewlett-Packard driver: N/A bus ID: 0000:00:02.0
chip ID: 8086:9a49
Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.11 driver: fbdev unloaded: modesetting,vesa
resolution: 1920x1080~77Hz
OpenGL: renderer: llvmpipe (LLVM 12.0.0 256 bits) v: 4.5 Mesa 21.0.3 compat-v: 3.1
direct render: Yes

Had you used the Edge ISO (in the link I provided) you probably would not have seen the message.

Instructions for upgrading to the 5.13 kernel:

• Open Update Manager.
• Select View > Linux Kernels and click Continue.
• Make sure 5.13 is selected on the left panel and then click the top-most option on the right panel. An "Install" button will appear.
• Install the kernel and then reboot for it to become active.

It is possible the 5.15 kernel will also work, but a few people have had issues with it and Intel and there is still another month or so of support with the 5.13 kernel.

[jacer]

The graphics drivers your hardware is missing are in newer kernels. They are not in Driver Manger because Driver Manager is only for proprietary drivers and Intel drivers are not proprietary.

Graphics:
Device-1: Intel vendor: Hewlett-Packard driver: N/A bus ID: 0000:00:02.0
chip ID: 8086:9a49
Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.11 driver: fbdev unloaded: modesetting,vesa
resolution: 1920x1080~77Hz
OpenGL: renderer: llvmpipe (LLVM 12.0.0 256 bits) v: 4.5 Mesa 21.0.3 compat-v: 3.1
direct render: Yes

Had you used the Edge ISO (in the link I provided) you probably would not have seen the message.

Update: I have used the Update Manager to update to kernel 3.13.0-22-generic and my laptop has been much more resource efficient. The fan no longer sounds like a jet and the bottom doesn't feel like it was rescued from volcanic debris. My renderer and driver also appear on my Systems Reports app.

I have also been experimenting with previous snapshots and have found the root of the issue:


Every time I press "Apply Changes" the Driver Manager crashes. Upon reopening the application, it gets stuck on "Looking for hardware drivers..." but it doesn't take up nearly as much CPU. What should I do? Do I need to update the Network Adapter? My wireless internet still works fine.

[pbear]

I don't understand how your wireless connection can be working. The Realtek 8821 is the only network device shown in your inxi report.

You want to install the dkms package mentioned in this box. With internet, it's a simple as apt install rtl8821ce-dkms.

Perhaps you've already done this. Can you tick the circle next to the word Version?

[SMG]

Update: I have used the Update Manager to update to kernel 3.13.0-22-generic

The latest is 5.13.0-52 so I'm not sure whether you had two typos in that or you may not have installed the latest version of 5.13.

Do I need to update the Network Adapter? My wireless internet still works fine.

The data you posted initially is a bit perplexing because it shows the driver is N/A (not available), but the connection is up.

Network:
Device-1: Realtek RTL8821CE 802.11ac PCIe Wireless Network Adapter
vendor: Hewlett-Packard driver: N/A port: 3000 bus ID: 0000:01:00.0 chip ID: 10ec:c821
IF-ID-1: enx42c7118f5eac state: up speed: N/A duplex: N/A mac: <filter>

Is it showing that same information now that you have the 5.13 kernel installed?

[jacer]

The latest is 5.13.0-52 so I'm not sure whether you had two typos in that or you may not have installed the latest version of 5.13.

It appears that my Update Manager wasn't up-to-date, so I didn't download the latest version. I now have 5.13.0-52 installed.

The data you posted initially is a bit perplexing because it shows the driver is N/A (not available), but the connection is up.

Here is my new system report:

Code: Select all

System:    Kernel: 5.13.0-52-generic x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: N/A Desktop: Cinnamon 5.2.7 
           wm: muffin dm: LightDM Distro: Linux Mint 20.3 Una base: Ubuntu 20.04 focal 
Machine:   Type: Laptop System: HP product: HP Laptop 15-dy2xxx v: N/A serial: <filter> Chassis: 
           type: 10 serial: <filter> 
           Mobo: HP model: 87FE v: 57.20 serial: <filter> UEFI: AMI v: F.21 date: 03/21/2022 
Battery:   ID-1: BAT0 charge: 42.4 Wh condition: 42.4/41.0 Wh (103%) volts: 12.9/11.4 
           model: HP Primary serial: <filter> status: Full 
CPU:       Topology: Quad Core model: 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 bits: 64 type: MT MCP 
           arch: Tiger Lake rev: 1 L2 cache: 12.0 MiB 
           flags: avx avx2 lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx bogomips: 44851 
           Speed: 1448 MHz min/max: 400/4700 MHz Core speeds (MHz): 1: 1491 2: 2908 3: 3083 
           4: 4108 5: 3251 6: 3245 7: 3432 8: 4214 
Graphics:  Device-1: Intel vendor: Hewlett-Packard driver: i915 v: kernel bus ID: 0000:00:02.0 
           chip ID: 8086:9a49 
           Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.13 driver: modesetting unloaded: fbdev,vesa 
           resolution: 1920x1080~60Hz 
           OpenGL: renderer: Mesa Intel Xe Graphics (TGL GT2) v: 4.6 Mesa 21.2.6 
           direct render: Yes 
Audio:     Device-1: Intel vendor: Hewlett-Packard driver: sof-audio-pci-intel-tgl 
           bus ID: 0000:00:1f.3 chip ID: 8086:a0c8 
           Sound Server: ALSA v: k5.13.0-52-generic 
Network:   Device-1: Realtek RTL8821CE 802.11ac PCIe Wireless Network Adapter 
           vendor: Hewlett-Packard driver: rtw_8821ce v: N/A port: 3000 bus ID: 0000:01:00.0 
           chip ID: 10ec:c821 
           IF: wlo1 state: up mac: <filter> 
Drives:    Local Storage: total: 476.94 GiB used: 48.69 GiB (10.2%) 
           ID-1: /dev/nvme0n1 model: KBG50ZNV512G KIOXIA size: 476.94 GiB speed: 63.2 Gb/s 
           lanes: 4 serial: <filter> 
RAID:      Hardware-1: Intel Volume Management Device NVMe RAID Controller driver: vmd v: 0.6 
           bus ID: 0000:00:0e.0 chip ID: 8086.9a0b 
Partition: ID-1: / size: 214.46 GiB used: 24.31 GiB (11.3%) fs: ext4 dev: /dev/nvme0n1p5 
USB:       Hub: 1-0:1 info: Full speed (or root) Hub ports: 12 rev: 2.0 chip ID: 1d6b:0002 
           Device-1: 1-3:2 info: DJKCVA19IGI58R HP TrueVision HD Camera type: Video 
           driver: uvcvideo rev: 2.0 chip ID: 30c9:0013 
           Device-2: 1-5:3 info: Melfas LGDisplay Incell Touch type: HID 
           driver: hid-generic,hid-multitouch,usbhid rev: 2.0 chip ID: 1fd2:b002 
           Device-3: 1-10:4 info: Realtek Bluetooth Radio type: Bluetooth driver: btusb rev: 1.1 
           chip ID: 0bda:b00e 
           Hub: 2-0:1 info: Full speed (or root) Hub ports: 4 rev: 3.1 chip ID: 1d6b:0003 
Sensors:   System Temperatures: cpu: 49.0 C mobo: N/A 
           Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A 
Repos:     No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list 
           Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/official-package-repositories.list 
           1: deb http: //packages.linuxmint.com una main upstream import backport #id:linuxmint_main
           2: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal main restricted universe multiverse
           3: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates main restricted universe multiverse
           4: deb http: //archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-backports main restricted universe multiverse
           5: deb http: //security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-security main restricted universe multiverse
           6: deb http: //archive.canonical.com/ubuntu/ focal partner
Info:      Processes: 264 Uptime: 8m Memory: 15.28 GiB used: 1.99 GiB (13.0%) Init: systemd v: 245 
           runlevel: 5 Compilers: gcc: 9.4.0 alt: 9 Client: Unknown python3.8 client inxi: 3.0.38

Yes, my wireless internet works now.

To quote myself from before:

I have also been experimenting with previous snapshots and have found the root of the issue:


Every time I press "Apply Changes" the Driver Manager crashes. Upon reopening the application, it gets stuck on "Looking for hardware drivers..." but it doesn't take up nearly as much CPU.

This remains true. I can't install any additional drivers because my Driver Manager gets stuck on "Looking for hardware drivers..." after applying changes to my Wireless Network Adapter. I cannot skip it, I must apply changes to my Wireless Network Adapter to continue.

[SMG]

Network:
Device-1: Realtek RTL8821CE 802.11ac PCIe Wireless Network Adapter
vendor: Hewlett-Packard driver: rtw_8821ce v: N/A port: 3000 bus ID: 0000:01:00.0
chip ID: 10ec:c821
IF: wlo1 state: up mac: <filter>

Yes, my wireless internet works now.

The driver is loaded and your wireless is working. Is there a specific reason you are trying to install something else?

[pbear]

Apparently my suggestion was unclear. Here's what the Driver Manager screen looks like on my computer:
.

.
I'm wondering whether selecting the first option will solve your problem, which I don't observe on my system.

[jacer]

You want to install the dkms package mentioned in this box. With internet, it's a simple as apt install rtl8821ce-dkms.

Typed that into my command prompt and...


CPU usage went up to 100%. I'm going to need to be walked through on what to do next this is my second day using Mint.

[jacer]

CPU usage went up to 100%. I'm going to need to be walked through on what to do next this is my second day using Mint.

Wait! My driver manager looks exactly like yours now, pbear. The screenshot I attached looks really spooky though. Should I be worried about that?

[SMG]

Typed that into my command prompt and...


CPU usage went up to 100%. I'm going to need to be walked through on what to do next this is my second day using Mint.

That is secure boot which is a function of the computer's firmware (UEFI/BIOS) and is not part of the operating system. The usual setting is to have secure boot enabled and that seems to be the setting your computer has. I have no idea why that would send CPU usage to 100%.

Wait! My driver manager looks exactly like yours now, pbear. The screenshot I attached looks really spooky though. Should I be worried about that?

If you followed the onscreen steps it requested, then you have created the password/key so the wireless driver can load. Although your data showed it loaded anyhow, so I'm not sure what your hardware is doing.

[jacer]

Windows is fighting the dual boot if it was me i would just dedicate my entire computer to Linux. But thats just me.

I was planning on dedicating my computer to Linux eventually. This is my first ever laptop and I just wanted to be sure I could install Linux and get through the installation without destroying my computer. Windows was pretty much a backup option in case all went to shit.

[jacer]

Driver Manager is no longer in a state of constant loading. Earlier some applications were telling me that I needed drivers to be installed but now they are not. Computer is running much better
I'll consider this one solved. Thank you all!