After a fresh install

On new hardware, issues usually boil down to drivers or firmware. Keep your kernel/firmware/Mesa current,
install the right GPU/Wi-Fi drivers, and use the diagnostics at the end to verify.

Graphics

Intel

Intel iGPUs use the in‑kernel i915 driver with Mesa. Black screen after suspend? Try disabling PSR.

Ubuntu

sudo nano /etc/default/grub
# Add to GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT: i915.enable_psr=0
sudo update-grub
sudo apt update && sudo apt install linux-firmware mesa-utils
glxinfo | grep -i "OpenGL renderer"

Debian

sudo apt update && sudo apt install firmware-misc-nonfree mesa-utils
sudo nano /etc/default/grub  # add i915.enable_psr=0
sudo update-grub && sudo reboot

Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
sudo dnf install mesa-dri-drivers mesa-vulkan-drivers vulkan-tools
sudo grubby --update-kernel=ALL --args="i915.enable_psr=0"
vulkaninfo | head || glxinfo | grep -i renderer

openSUSE

sudo zypper refresh && sudo zypper update
sudo zypper install Mesa-demo-x mesa-dri
sudo grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/grub2/grub.cfg

Manjaro

sudo pacman -Syu
sudo pacman -S mesa vulkan-intel mesa-utils
sudo update-grub
glxinfo | grep -i renderer

Arch

sudo pacman -Syu mesa vulkan-intel mesa-utils
sudo nano /etc/default/grub  # add i915.enable_psr=0
sudo grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

AMD

Use the open amdgpu driver (plus firmware). For some laptops, kernel arg amdgpu.backlight=0 fixes black screen after suspend.

Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt install linux-firmware mesa-vulkan-drivers mesa-utils
sudo nano /etc/default/grub  # add amdgpu.backlight=0
sudo update-grub && sudo reboot
dmesg | grep -i "Loading AMDGPU firmware"

Debian

sudo apt install firmware-amd-graphics linux-firmware mesa-utils
sudo nano /etc/default/grub  # add amdgpu.backlight=0
sudo update-grub && sudo reboot

Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
sudo dnf install mesa-dri-drivers mesa-vulkan-drivers
sudo grubby --update-kernel=ALL --args="amdgpu.backlight=0"

openSUSE

sudo zypper refresh && sudo zypper update
sudo zypper install Mesa-dri Mesa-vulkan-drivers
sudo grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/grub2/grub.cfg && sudo reboot

Manjaro

sudo pacman -Syu
sudo pacman -S mesa vulkan-radeon mesa-utils
sudo update-grub

Arch

sudo pacman -Syu mesa vulkan-radeon mesa-utils
sudo nano /etc/default/grub  # add amdgpu.backlight=0
sudo grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

NVIDIA

For performance and PRIME, install the proprietary driver (not Nouveau).

Ubuntu

ubuntu-drivers devices
sudo apt install nvidia-driver-535
sudo apt install nvidia-prime  # hybrids
sudo prime-select nvidia  # or: intel
sudo reboot
nvidia-smi

Debian

sudo apt install nvidia-driver firmware-misc-nonfree nvidia-prime
sudo reboot && nvidia-smi

Fedora (RPM Fusion)

sudo dnf install https://download1.rpmfusion.org/free/fedora/rpmfusion-free-release-41.noarch.rpm                  https://download1.rpmfusion.org/nonfree/fedora/rpmfusion-nonfree-release-41.noarch.rpm
sudo dnf install akmod-nvidia xorg-x11-drv-nvidia-cuda
sudo reboot && nvidia-smi

openSUSE

sudo zypper addrepo --refresh https://download.nvidia.com/opensuse/tumbleweed nvidia
sudo zypper refresh
sudo zypper install --from nvidia x11-video-nvidiaG06 nvidia-glG06
sudo reboot && nvidia-smi

Manjaro

sudo mhwd -a pci nonfree 0300
# or:
sudo mhwd -i pci video-nvidia
sudo reboot && nvidia-smi

Arch

sudo pacman -Syu nvidia nvidia-utils nvidia-settings
# for LTS kernel: nvidia-lts
sudo reboot && nvidia-smi

Hybrid laptops (Intel + NVIDIA/AMD)

Tips

# Force Wayland + NVIDIA (experimental)
sudo sed -i 's/GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="\(.*\)"/GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="
 nvidia-drm.modeset=1"/' /etc/default/grub
sudo update-grub && sudo reboot
# Ubuntu/Debian: switch GPUs
sudo apt install nvidia-prime
sudo prime-select nvidia   # or: intel

Wi‑Fi

Identify your adapter

lspci | grep -i network   # internal
lsusb                      # USB dongles
sudo lshw -C network | grep -E "description|product|vendor|driver" -A2

Ubuntu

sudo apt update
sudo apt install bcmwl-kernel-source        # Broadcom
sudo apt install rtl8821ce-dkms || true     # Realtek example
sudo apt install firmware-iwlwifi && sudo modprobe iwlwifi  # Intel
sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager

Debian

sudo apt install firmware-iwlwifi firmware-realtek firmware-brcm80211
sudo modprobe iwlwifi || true
sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager

Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh
sudo dnf install akmod-wl kernel-devel kernel-headers   # Broadcom
sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager

openSUSE

sudo zypper install broadcom-wl kernel-default-devel
sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager

Manjaro

sudo pacman -Syu
yay -S rtl8821ce-dkms-git   # example
sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager

Arch

sudo pacman -Syu linux-firmware networkmanager
yay -S rtl8821ce-dkms-git   # example
sudo systemctl enable --now NetworkManager

Stability tips

• Try 2.4 GHz channels 1/6/11 if links drop.
• Disable Wi‑Fi power saving if it stalls under load.
• Use a USB‑Ethernet dongle to fetch drivers when offline.

Bluetooth

sudo apt install bluetooth bluez blueman linux-firmware
sudo systemctl enable --now bluetooth
bluetoothctl  # power on; agent on; scan on

sudo dnf install bluez blueman bluez-tools
sudo systemctl enable --now bluetooth

sudo zypper install bluez blueman
sudo systemctl enable --now bluetooth

sudo pacman -S bluez bluez-utils blueman
sudo systemctl enable --now bluetooth

If pairing fails

rfkill list
rfkill unblock bluetooth
sudo systemctl restart bluetooth
dmesg | grep -i bluetooth   # check firmware messages

LAN / Ethernet

lspci | grep -i ethernet
ip a
sudo nmcli device connect && nmcli device status
# Realtek r8168 (Ubuntu)
sudo apt install r8168-dkms && sudo reboot

Input devices

Keyboard

sudo dpkg-reconfigure keyboard-configuration
sudo apt install numlockx
numlockx on

sudo dnf install numlockx || sudo zypper install numlockx
numlockx on

Fn keys

xev  # or evtest
# Brightness fix:
# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo sed -i 's/GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="\(.*\)"/GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="
 acpi_backlight=vendor"/' /etc/default/grub
sudo update-grub && sudo reboot
# Arch/Manjaro
sudo sed -i 's/GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="\(.*\)"/GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="
 acpi_backlight=video"/' /etc/default/grub
sudo grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

Mouse

xinput list
sudo apt install xserver-xorg-input-libinput    # Ubuntu
sudo apt install solaar  # Logitech; Fedora: sudo dnf install solaar

Touchpad

gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.peripherals.touchpad tap-to-click true
sudo apt install xserver-xorg-input-libinput || sudo apt install xserver-xorg-input-synaptics  # Debian

Stylus

# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install xserver-xorg-input-wacom libwacom2
# Manjaro/Arch
sudo pacman -S xf86-input-wacom
# Fedora
sudo dnf install xorg-x11-drv-wacom libwacom
xsetwacom --list devices
xsetwacom set "Wacom Pen stylus" MapToOutput HEAD-0

Game controllers

sudo apt install jstest-gtk || sudo dnf install jstest-gtk || sudo pacman -S jstest-gtk
sudo apt install xpad xboxdrv || sudo pacman -S xpad || yay -S xboxdrv
sudo apt install ds4drv || yay -S dualsensectl

Audio: no sound / mic

sudo apt install pipewire pipewire-pulse wireplumber   # Ubuntu 22.04+
systemctl --user --now enable wireplumber
pactl list short sinks && pactl list short sources
pulseaudio -k || true
systemctl --user restart pipewire pipewire-pulse

Missing video codecs

sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras ffmpeg

sudo dnf install rpmfusion-free-release-tainted
sudo dnf install ffmpeg gstreamer1-plugin-openh264

sudo zypper install ffmpeg-6 libavcodec-full gstreamer-plugins-ugly

sudo pacman -S ffmpeg gst-plugins-ugly gst-libav

Flatpak / Snap

flatpak update
flatpak permission-reset --all
sudo systemctl restart snapd

Wine / Proton

sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
sudo mkdir -pm755 /etc/apt/keyrings
wget -nc https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/winehq.key -O- | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /etc/apt/keyrings/winehq-archive.key
# add the correct WineHQ repo for your release, then:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install --install-recommends winehq-stable winetricks

For Steam games, enable Proton in Steam settings. Proton‑GE via ProtonUp‑QT often improves compatibility.

Slow / hot system

sudo apt install tlp tlp-rdw powertop
sudo systemctl enable --now tlp
sudo powertop --calibrate

Dual‑boot: Windows missing in GRUB

# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install os-prober
sudo sed -i 's/GRUB_DISABLE_OS_PROBER=true/GRUB_DISABLE_OS_PROBER=false/' /etc/default/grub || true
sudo update-grub
# Fedora/openSUSE
sudo grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/grub2/grub.cfg
# Arch/Manjaro
sudo pacman -S os-prober
sudo grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

Ensure both systems boot in UEFI mode and Windows EFI entry exists (BitLocker can complicate detection).

Time / timezone

sudo timedatectl set-timezone Europe/London
sudo timedatectl set-local-rtc 1 --adjust-system-clock   # if dual‑booting with Windows

English (UK) locale

sudo apt install language-pack-en language-pack-gnome-en
sudo update-locale LANG=en_GB.UTF-8
locale

APT lock: could not get /var/lib/dpkg/lock-frontend

ps -p 7510 -o pid,cmd,etime
sudo kill -9 7510
sudo rm -f /var/lib/dpkg/lock-frontend /var/cache/apt/archives/lock
sudo dpkg --configure -a
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Diagnostics appendix

inxi -Fazy  # if installed
lspci -nnk | grep -A3 -E "VGA|Network|Ethernet"
lsusb
sudo dmesg -T | tail -n 200

glxinfo | grep -i "OpenGL renderer"
sudo apt install glmark2 || sudo dnf install glmark2 || sudo pacman -S glmark2
glmark2

Printers

Printers - Brother

fedora

Installing a Brother Printer on Fedora Linux

Example model – HL-1210WE (use your printer model instead)

1. Download the Driver

1. Open the official Brother website:
   https://www.brother.cz/support/hl1210we/downloads
   (Search for your exact printer model.)
2. In the Drivers section, download the file:
   linux-brprinter-installer-2.2.4-1.gz
   (The version number may differ depending on your release.)

2. Extract and Run the Installer

Open the terminal and run:

cd ~/Downloads
gunzip linux-brprinter-installer-2.xxxxx.gz
chmod +x linux-brprinter-installer-2.2xxxxx
sudo bash linux-brprinter-installer-2.2xxxxx

3. Driver Installation

1. The installer will ask for the printer name → type exactly: HL-1210WE (your model).
2. It will then download and install the following packages:
   • LPR driver
   • CUPS wrapper

If libraries are missing, install them:

sudo dnf install glibc.i686 libstdc++.i686

4. SELinux Settings

The installer automatically adds the required rules and sets SELinux contexts.

5. Connection Method (Device URI)

• 13 (Auto / dnssd) → works if the printer is on the network and Fedora detects it automatically (recommended if unsure).
• 12 (Specify IP address) → recommended if you know the printer’s IP address (more reliable, IP does not change).

Example:

socket://192.168.1.50

6. Test Print

When prompted, confirm the test print with y.
At the end, press Enter.

7. Verify Installation

Check printer status:

lpstat -p -d

Example output:

printer HL1210W is idle. enabled since ...

8. Manual Test

(Use your printer model name!)

echo "Test HL-1210WE Fedora" | lp -d HL1210W

Or via GUI:
Settings → Printers → HL1210W → Test Page

9. If Printing Does Not Work

1. Check the printer’s IP address (on your router or network status report).
2. Try pinging it:

ping -c 4 192.168.x.x

3. If the IP address keeps changing, set a static IP in your router and reinstall using option 12 (Specify IP).

✅ Quick Summary:

• Download driver from Brother website
• Extract .gz, run installer
• Enter printer model (e.g., HL-1210WE)
• Choose connection type (preferably fixed IP → socket://…)
• Perform test print → done!

How to Work with Archives in Linux: Extracting and Creating Password-Protected Files

File Roller (7zip, zip, rar)

File Roller is a graphical archive manager for Linux, similar to the built-in .zip support in Windows.
After installing the p7zip packages and plugins, it can also handle formats like 7z, rar, and supports both extracting and creating password-protected archives.

• Extracting a password-protected archive:
  Simply open the archive in File Roller and enter the password when prompted.
• Creating a password-protected archive:
  Create a new archive, choose a format (most commonly 7z), and in the settings enable Encrypt with password, where you enter your password.

File Roller in Linux is therefore something like a replacement for the built-in .zip in Windows, but with the ability to work with many more formats and password-protected files.

Ubuntu / Debian

sudo apt update
sudo apt install p7zip-full p7zip-rar file-roller
# optional plugins:
sudo apt install file-roller-plugin-unarchiver

Fedora

sudo dnf install p7zip p7zip-plugins file-roller

openSUSE

sudo zypper install p7zip p7zip-full file-roller

Manjaro / Arch

sudo pacman -Syu p7zip file-roller

Usage

• Extracting a password-protected archive:
  Open the archive in File Roller → enter the password when prompted.
• Creating a password-protected archive:
  File → New Archive → choose type 7z → check Encrypt with password in the settings.

Last updated: August 2025