Driver issue with Nvidia GPU, hybrid laptop

Hello guys. My Nvidia GPU is not working.

nvidia-smi
NVIDIA-SMI has failed because it couldn't communicate with the NVIDIA driver. Make sure that the latest NVIDIA driver is installed and running.

My computer is a Lenovo laptop, with Intel i5 3230M (HD4000) + nVidia 720m. Manjaro KDE with kernel 5.15. I tried Bumblebee but it doesn’t work, I installed optimus-manager but the manager GUI program can’t run. DE is working so I guess Intel GPU is working fine.

mhwd -li                                                                ✔️ 
> Installed PCI configs:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  NAME               VERSION          FREEDRIVER           TYPE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
video-hybrid-intel-nvidia-470xx-prime            2021.11.04               false            PCI
     video-modesetting            2020.01.13                true            PCI


Warning: No installed USB configs!

lspci -k | grep -A 2 -E "(VGA|3D)"                                      ✔️ 
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation 3rd Gen Core processor Graphics Controller (rev 09)
        Subsystem: Lenovo Device 3912
        Kernel driver in use: i915
--
01:00.0 3D controller: NVIDIA Corporation GF117M [GeForce 610M/710M/810M/820M / GT 620M/625M/630M/720M] (rev a1)
        Subsystem: Lenovo GeForce 720M
        Kernel modules: nouveau, nvidia_drm, nvidia

How can I make the nvidia GPU work? I prefer them run in hybrid mode. Thanks!

First thing todo is check the output of sudo dmesg --human to see any errors with respect to nVidea drivers.
Most likely it’s caused by SecureBoot, which should be off in BIOS for it to be able to load…

You might also try to see if any of these posts have any related info: Search results for 'tags:nvidia,lenovo,graphics' - Manjaro Linux Forum

Since you have this driver

The usage would be prime-run nvidia-smi and whenever you want to use the dGPU (the Nvidia one) you make use of prime-run <application>

prime-run nvidia-smi       
                                                                                                                       
NVIDIA-SMI has failed because it couldn't communicate with the NVIDIA driver. Make sure that the latest NVIDIA driver is installed and running.


thank you for replying but unfortunately it doesn’t work

please provide the following outputs

glxinfo | grep server
systemctl status optimus-manager
echo $XDG_SESSION_TYPE

I used “Legacy support first” mode in BIOS, UEFI is disabled (and if I change to UEFI I would need to rewrite the boot), so Secure Boot should also be disabled.

sudo dmesg --human shows some information about it, it suggest me to use 390xx driver, which is conflict with the Wiki here

https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/NVIDIA

[  +3.741585] nvidia: loading out-of-tree module taints kernel.
[  +0.000015] nvidia: module license 'NVIDIA' taints kernel.
[  +0.000001] Disabling lock debugging due to kernel taint
[  +0.019613] nvidia: module verification failed: signature and/or required key missing - tainting kernel
[  +0.028231] nvidia-nvlink: Nvlink Core is being initialized, major device number 510
[  +0.000012] NVRM: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M GPU installed in this system is
              NVRM:  supported through the NVIDIA 390.xx Legacy drivers. Please
              NVRM:  visit http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html for more
              NVRM:  information.  The 470.141.03 NVIDIA driver will ignore
              NVRM:  this GPU.  Continuing probe...
[  +0.001762] NVRM: No NVIDIA GPU found.
[  +0.000205] nvidia-nvlink: Unregistered the Nvlink Core, major device number 510
[  +1.259519] nvidia-nvlink: Nvlink Core is being initialized, major device number 510
[  +0.000008] NVRM: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M GPU installed in this system is
              NVRM:  supported through the NVIDIA 390.xx Legacy drivers. Please
              NVRM:  visit http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html for more
              NVRM:  information.  The 470.141.03 NVIDIA driver will ignore
              NVRM:  this GPU.  Continuing probe...
[  +0.000645] NVRM: No NVIDIA GPU found.
[  +0.000167] nvidia-nvlink: Unregistered the Nvlink Core, major device number 510
[  +1.217296] nvidia-nvlink: Nvlink Core is being initialized, major device number 510
[  +0.000008] NVRM: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M GPU installed in this system is
              NVRM:  supported through the NVIDIA 390.xx Legacy drivers. Please
              NVRM:  visit http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html for more
              NVRM:  information.  The 470.141.03 NVIDIA driver will ignore
              NVRM:  this GPU.  Continuing probe...
[  +0.000604] NVRM: No NVIDIA GPU found.
[  +0.000192] nvidia-nvlink: Unregistered the Nvlink Core, major device number 510
[  +1.249159] nvidia-nvlink: Nvlink Core is being initialized, major device number 510
[  +0.000008] NVRM: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M GPU installed in this system is
              NVRM:  supported through the NVIDIA 390.xx Legacy drivers. Please
              NVRM:  visit http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html for more
              NVRM:  information.  The 470.141.03 NVIDIA driver will ignore
              NVRM:  this GPU.  Continuing probe...
[  +0.000612] NVRM: No NVIDIA GPU found.
[  +0.000201] nvidia-nvlink: Unregistered the Nvlink Core, major device number 510
[  +1.199248] nvidia-nvlink: Nvlink Core is being initialized, major device number 510
[  +0.000008] NVRM: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M GPU installed in this system is
              NVRM:  supported through the NVIDIA 390.xx Legacy drivers. Please
              NVRM:  visit http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html for more
              NVRM:  information.  The 470.141.03 NVIDIA driver will ignore
              NVRM:  this GPU.  Continuing probe...
[  +0.000574] NVRM: No NVIDIA GPU found.
[  +0.000137] nvidia-nvlink: Unregistered the Nvlink Core, major device number 510
[  +1.227966] nvidia-nvlink: Nvlink Core is being initialized, major device number 510
[  +0.000008] NVRM: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M GPU installed in this system is
              NVRM:  supported through the NVIDIA 390.xx Legacy drivers. Please
              NVRM:  visit http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html for more
              NVRM:  information.  The 470.141.03 NVIDIA driver will ignore
              NVRM:  this GPU.  Continuing probe...
[  +0.000595] NVRM: No NVIDIA GPU found.
[  +0.000182] nvidia-nvlink: Unregistered the Nvlink Core, major device number 510
[  +1.224643] nvidia-nvlink: Nvlink Core is being initialized, major device number 510
[  +0.000007] NVRM: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M GPU installed in this system is
              NVRM:  supported through the NVIDIA 390.xx Legacy drivers. Please
              NVRM:  visit http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html for more
              NVRM:  information.  The 470.141.03 NVIDIA driver will ignore
              NVRM:  this GPU.  Continuing probe...
[  +0.000655] NVRM: No NVIDIA GPU found.
[  +0.000175] nvidia-nvlink: Unregistered the Nvlink Core, major device number 510
[  +1.200375] nvidia-nvlink: Nvlink Core is being initialized, major device number 510
[  +0.000008] NVRM: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M GPU installed in this system is
              NVRM:  supported through the NVIDIA 390.xx Legacy drivers. Please
              NVRM:  visit http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html for more
              NVRM:  information.  The 470.141.03 NVIDIA driver will ignore
              NVRM:  this GPU.  Continuing probe...
[  +0.000592] NVRM: No NVIDIA GPU found.
[  +0.000169] nvidia-nvlink: Unregistered the Nvlink Core, major device number 510
[  +1.253811] nvidia-nvlink: Nvlink Core is being initialized, major device number 510
[  +0.000009] NVRM: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M GPU installed in this system is
              NVRM:  supported through the NVIDIA 390.xx Legacy drivers. Please
              NVRM:  visit http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html for more
              NVRM:  information.  The 470.141.03 NVIDIA driver will ignore
              NVRM:  this GPU.  Continuing probe...
[  +0.000574] NVRM: No NVIDIA GPU found.
[  +0.000168] nvidia-nvlink: Unregistered the Nvlink Core, major device number 510
[  +1.189008] nvidia-nvlink: Nvlink Core is being initialized, major device number 510
[  +0.000007] NVRM: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M GPU installed in this system is
              NVRM:  supported through the NVIDIA 390.xx Legacy drivers. Please
              NVRM:  visit http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html for more
              NVRM:  information.  The 470.141.03 NVIDIA driver will ignore
              NVRM:  this GPU.  Continuing probe...
[  +0.000609] NVRM: No NVIDIA GPU found.
[  +0.000171] nvidia-nvlink: Unregistered the Nvlink Core, major device number 510
[  +0.592352] audit: type=1105 audit(1668681894.682:129): pid=2753 uid=1000 auid=1000 ses=3 msg='op=PAM:session_open grantors=pam_limits acct="nx" exe="/usr/NX/bin/nxexec" hostname=? addr=? terminal=ssh res=success'
[  +0.712913] nvidia-nvlink: Nvlink Core is being initialized, major device number 510
[  +0.000008] NVRM: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M GPU installed in this system is
              NVRM:  supported through the NVIDIA 390.xx Legacy drivers. Please
              NVRM:  visit http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html for more
              NVRM:  information.  The 470.141.03 NVIDIA driver will ignore
              NVRM:  this GPU.  Continuing probe...
[  +0.000612] NVRM: No NVIDIA GPU found.
[  +0.000167] nvidia-nvlink: Unregistered the Nvlink Core, major device number 510
[  +1.227759] nvidia-nvlink: Nvlink Core is being initialized, major device number 510
[  +0.000009] NVRM: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M GPU installed in this system is
              NVRM:  supported through the NVIDIA 390.xx Legacy drivers. Please
              NVRM:  visit http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html for more
              NVRM:  information.  The 470.141.03 NVIDIA driver will ignore
              NVRM:  this GPU.  Continuing probe...
[  +0.000579] NVRM: No NVIDIA GPU found.
[  +0.000139] nvidia-nvlink: Unregistered the Nvlink Core, major device number 510
[  +1.229341] nvidia-nvlink: Nvlink Core is being initialized, major device number 510
[  +0.000009] NVRM: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M GPU installed in this system is
              NVRM:  supported through the NVIDIA 390.xx Legacy drivers. Please
              NVRM:  visit http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html for more
              NVRM:  information.  The 470.141.03 NVIDIA driver will ignore
              NVRM:  this GPU.  Continuing probe...
[  +0.001287] NVRM: No NVIDIA GPU found.
[  +0.000443] nvidia-nvlink: Unregistered the Nvlink Core, major device number 510
[Nov17 11:45] audit: type=1100 audit(1668681910.172:130): pid=2848 uid=1000 auid=1000 ses=3 msg='op=PAM:authentication grantors=pam_faillock,pam_permit,pam_faillock acct="victor" exe="/usr/bin/sudo" hostname=? addr=? terminal=/dev/pts/3 res=success'
[  +0.000294] audit: type=1101 audit(1668681910.172:131): pid=2848 uid=1000 auid=1000 ses=3 msg='op=PAM:accounting grantors=pam_unix,pam_permit,pam_time acct="victor" exe="/usr/bin/sudo" hostname=? addr=? terminal=/dev/pts/3 res=success'
[  +0.001214] audit: type=1110 audit(1668681910.175:132): pid=2848 uid=1000 auid=1000 ses=3 msg='op=PAM:setcred grantors=pam_faillock,pam_permit,pam_faillock acct="root" exe="/usr/bin/sudo" hostname=? addr=? terminal=/dev/pts/3 res=success'
[  +0.000175] audit: type=1105 audit(1668681910.175:133): pid=2848 uid=1000 auid=1000 ses=3 msg='op=PAM:session_open grantors=pam_systemd_home,pam_limits,pam_unix,pam_permit acct="root" exe="/usr/bin/sudo" hostname=? addr=? terminal=/dev/pts/3 res=success'
[Nov17 11:46] audit: type=1106 audit(1668681974.582:134): pid=2848 uid=1000 auid=1000 ses=3 msg='op=PAM:session_close grantors=pam_systemd_home,pam_limits,pam_unix,pam_permit acct="root" exe="/usr/bin/sudo" hostname=? addr=? terminal=/dev/pts/3 res=success'
[  +0.000012] audit: type=1104 audit(1668681974.585:135): pid=2848 uid=1000 auid=1000 ses=3 msg='op=PAM:setcred grantors=pam_faillock,pam_permit,pam_faillock acct="root" exe="/usr/bin/sudo" hostname=? addr=? terminal=/dev/pts/3 res=success'
[Nov17 11:48] audit: type=1100 audit(1668682099.098:136): pid=3137 uid=1000 auid=1000 ses=3 msg='op=PAM:authentication grantors=pam_faillock,pam_permit,pam_faillock acct="victor" exe="/usr/bin/sudo" hostname=? addr=? terminal=/dev/pts/1 res=success'
[  +0.000172] audit: type=1101 audit(1668682099.098:137): pid=3137 uid=1000 auid=1000 ses=3 msg='op=PAM:accounting grantors=pam_unix,pam_permit,pam_time acct="victor" exe="/usr/bin/sudo" hostname=? addr=? terminal=/dev/pts/1 res=success'
[  +0.001154] audit: type=1110 audit(1668682099.098:138): pid=3137 uid=1000 auid=1000 ses=3 msg='op=PAM:setcred grantors=pam_faillock,pam_permit,pam_faillock acct="root" exe="/usr/bin/sudo" hostname=? addr=? terminal=/dev/pts/1 res=success'
[  +0.000173] audit: type=1105 audit(1668682099.098:139): pid=3137 uid=1000 auid=1000 ses=3 msg='op=PAM:session_open grantors=pam_systemd_home,pam_limits,pam_unix,pam_permit acct="root" exe="/usr/bin/sudo" hostname=? addr=? terminal=/dev/pts/1 res=success'
[ +40.606514] audit: type=1106 audit(1668682139.705:140): pid=3137 uid=1000 auid=1000 ses=3 msg='op=PAM:session_close grantors=pam_systemd_home,pam_limits,pam_unix,pam_permit acct="root" exe="/usr/bin/sudo" hostname=? addr=? terminal=/dev/pts/1 res=success'
[  +0.000010] audit: type=1104 audit(1668682139.705:141): pid=3137 uid=1000 auid=1000 ses=3 msg='op=PAM:setcred grantors=pam_faillock,pam_permit,pam_faillock acct="root" exe="/usr/bin/sudo" hostname=? addr=? terminal=/dev/pts/1 res=success'
[Nov17 11:49] nvidia-nvlink: Nvlink Core is being initialized, major device number 510
[  +0.000008] NVRM: The NVIDIA GeForce GT 720M GPU installed in this system is
              NVRM:  supported through the NVIDIA 390.xx Legacy drivers. Please
              NVRM:  visit http://www.nvidia.com/object/unix.html for more
              NVRM:  information.  The 470.141.03 NVIDIA driver will ignore
              NVRM:  this GPU.  Continuing probe...
[  +0.000575] NVRM: No NVIDIA GPU found.
[  +0.000153] nvidia-nvlink: Unregistered the Nvlink Core, major device number 510
[Nov17 11:51] audit: type=1100 audit(1668682303.998:142): pid=3302 uid=1000 auid=1000 ses=3 msg='op=PAM:authentication grantors=pam_faillock,pam_permit,pam_faillock acct="victor" exe="/usr/bin/sudo" hostname=? addr=? terminal=/dev/pts/1 res=success'
[  +0.000295] audit: type=1101 audit(1668682303.998:143): pid=3302 uid=1000 auid=1000 ses=3 msg='op=PAM:accounting grantors=pam_unix,pam_permit,pam_time acct="victor" exe="/usr/bin/sudo" hostname=? addr=? terminal=/dev/pts/1 res=success'
[  +0.001172] audit: type=1110 audit(1668682303.998:144): pid=3302 uid=1000 auid=1000 ses=3 msg='op=PAM:setcred grantors=pam_faillock,pam_permit,pam_faillock acct="root" exe="/usr/bin/sudo" hostname=? addr=? terminal=/dev/pts/1 res=success'
[  +0.000180] audit: type=1105 audit(1668682303.998:145): pid=3302 uid=1000 auid=1000 ses=3 msg='op=PAM:session_open grantors=pam_systemd_home,pam_limits,pam_unix,pam_permit acct="root" exe="/usr/bin/sudo" hostname=? addr=? terminal=/dev/pts/1 res=success'
    ~  glxinfo | grep server                                                                       

server glx vendor string: SGI
server glx version string: 1.4
server glx extensions:

    ~  systemctl status optimus-manager                                                            

● optimus-manager.service - Optimus Manager Commands Daemon
     Loaded: loaded (/usr/lib/systemd/system/optimus-manager.service; enabled; preset: disabled)
     Active: active (running) since Thu 2022-11-17 11:42:42 CET; 16min ago
    Process: 350 ExecStartPre=/usr/bin/python3 -u -m optimus_manager.hooks.pre_daemon_start (code=exited, s>
    Process: 419 ExecStartPre=/usr/bin/python3 -u -m optimus_manager.hooks.pre_xorg_start (code=exited, sta>
   Main PID: 495 (python3)
      Tasks: 1 (limit: 4523)
     Memory: 15.1M
        CPU: 394ms
     CGroup: /system.slice/optimus-manager.service
             └─495 /usr/bin/python3 -u -m optimus_manager.daemon

Nov 17 11:42:42 victor-20285 python3[419]: [121] INFO: Available modules: ['nouveau', 'nvidia', 'nvidia_drm>
Nov 17 11:42:42 victor-20285 python3[419]: [121] INFO: Unloading modules ['nvidia_drm', 'nvidia_modeset', '>
Nov 17 11:42:42 victor-20285 python3[419]: [127] INFO: switching=none, nothing to do
Nov 17 11:42:42 victor-20285 python3[419]: [155] INFO: Writing to /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/10-optimus-manager.c>
Nov 17 11:42:42 victor-20285 python3[419]: [155] INFO: Writing state {'type': 'pending_post_xorg_start', 's>
Nov 17 11:42:42 victor-20285 python3[419]: [155] INFO: Xorg pre-start hook completed successfully.
Nov 17 11:42:42 victor-20285 systemd[1]: Started Optimus Manager Commands Daemon.
Nov 17 11:42:42 victor-20285 python3[495]: [2] INFO: # Commands daemon
Nov 17 11:42:42 victor-20285 python3[495]: [2] INFO: Opening UNIX socket
Nov 17 11:42:42 victor-20285 python3[495]: [2] INFO: Awaiting commands
...skipping...
● optimus-manager.service - Optimus Manager Commands Daemon
     Loaded: loaded (/usr/lib/systemd/system/optimus-manager.service; enabled; preset: disabled)
     Active: active (running) since Thu 2022-11-17 11:42:42 CET; 16min ago
    Process: 350 ExecStartPre=/usr/bin/python3 -u -m optimus_manager.hooks.pre_daemon_start (code=exited, s>
    Process: 419 ExecStartPre=/usr/bin/python3 -u -m optimus_manager.hooks.pre_xorg_start (code=exited, sta>
   Main PID: 495 (python3)
      Tasks: 1 (limit: 4523)
     Memory: 15.1M
        CPU: 394ms
     CGroup: /system.slice/optimus-manager.service
             └─495 /usr/bin/python3 -u -m optimus_manager.daemon

Nov 17 11:42:42 victor-20285 python3[419]: [121] INFO: Available modules: ['nouveau', 'nvidia', 'nvidia_drm>
Nov 17 11:42:42 victor-20285 python3[419]: [121] INFO: Unloading modules ['nvidia_drm', 'nvidia_modeset', '>
Nov 17 11:42:42 victor-20285 python3[419]: [127] INFO: switching=none, nothing to do
Nov 17 11:42:42 victor-20285 python3[419]: [155] INFO: Writing to /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/10-optimus-manager.c>
Nov 17 11:42:42 victor-20285 python3[419]: [155] INFO: Writing state {'type': 'pending_post_xorg_start', 's>
Nov 17 11:42:42 victor-20285 python3[419]: [155] INFO: Xorg pre-start hook completed successfully.
Nov 17 11:42:42 victor-20285 systemd[1]: Started Optimus Manager Commands Daemon.
Nov 17 11:42:42 victor-20285 python3[495]: [2] INFO: # Commands daemon
Nov 17 11:42:42 victor-20285 python3[495]: [2] INFO: Opening UNIX socket
Nov 17 11:42:42 victor-20285 python3[495]: [2] INFO: Awaiting commands
~

    ~  echo $XDG_SESSION_TYPE                                                       
x11

Seems optimus-manager is working fine

which GUI are you using ? Plasma, Gnome …

echo $XDG_SESSION_TYPE                                                            
x11

For DE, I’m using Manajro KDE, so it should be Plasma

please note:

IMPORTANT : Manjaro KDE users

Manjaro ships with a default configuration for SDDM (the default login manager for KDE) which overrides some keys needed by optimus-manager. To use optimus-manager, you need to edit the file /etc/sddm.conf and simply put a # before the line starting with DisplayCommandand the one starting with DisplayStopCommand.

make sure that you followed this order and reboot after editing


I read the document before I install optimus manager, so I did it directly after the setup. I just checked the file and it’s still have the #, nothing changed it.

I’m not sure the problem is with nvidia driver or with optimus manager. When I boot the system with integrated GPU, I can successfully start optimus-manager GUI with a tray icon. But if I switch to nvidia or hybrid mode with optimus-manager, it does log me out and when I log in, I can’t launch the optimus-manager GUI anymore, it’s also disappear from tray.

I just tried to set startup mode with hybrid in optimus-manager, now I even can’t launch the GUI anymore. I tried with console:

optimus-manager --switch hybrid                                                        
ERROR: the latest GPU setup attempt failed at Xorg pre-start hook.
Log at /var/log/optimus-manager/switch/switch-20221117T121454.log
Cannot execute command because of previous errors.

optimus-manager --switch integrated                                                   
ERROR: the latest GPU setup attempt failed at Xorg pre-start hook.
Log at /var/log/optimus-manager/switch/switch-20221117T121454.log
Cannot execute command because of previous errors.

first things first. a lot of laptops use the hardwired mode. in this case hybrid mode is not possible due to the hardware restrictions. keep in mind that your laptop may be one of them.

if you want to use nvidia only you can force it via the kernel-parameters. to do so edit /etc/default/grub
(with sudo rights) and add

optimus-manager.startup=nvidia nvidia_drm.modeset=1

to the existing entries of

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="

after editing run

sudo mkinitcpio -P
sudo update-grub

and reboot

after reboot a check of

glxinfo | grep server

will show up that you are using nvidia now

I followed it step by step but still…

glxinfo | grep server                                                                   
server glx vendor string: SGI
server glx version string: 1.4
server glx extensions:

nvidia-smi                                                                                
NVIDIA-SMI has failed because it couldn't communicate with the NVIDIA driver. Make sure that the latest NVIDIA driver is installed and running.


I think I’ll try to uninstall optimus-manager and switch it back to bumblebee, even I’m not sure will it run with bumblebee…

I “think” the driver has last word here, don’t you agree? :wink:

I did switch to 390.xx driver, nvidia-smi is working, but seems bumblebee is still not working, and with 390.xx driver I’m not able to use nvenc as encoder. I’m still working on it

I have checked the official website of nvidia. You are completely right. Unfortunately, 720M is an old Fermi GPU which only supported by 390.xx driver. And it also doesn’t have NVENC so I can’t run ffmpeg with NVENC even I installed CUDA.

What really confusing is, Arch Wiki suggest all 7xx gpu go with 470.xx driver (it suits for most 7xx gpu such as 750Ti), and even nVdia’s official website provide 418 version driver for 720m, if you search for it.

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