How to Fix Intel Screen Tearing on Xfce

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1

I used to add some config options for intel screen tearing to /etc/X11/… but after latest Manjaro (Manjaro 20.1.1) install when I add intel config file I get black screen. And need to remove config file from tty screen (ctrl + alt + f3). After searched I find this solution:
1- Go to “setting manager”
2- Go to “setting editor”
3- Choose “xfwm4”
4- Find “vblank_mode” and select
5- Press the “edit”
6- Type glx to “value” section
7- Save and reboot

Note: This is the gui way of those commands
xfwm4 --replace --vblank=glx &
xfconf-query -c xfwm4 -p /general/vblank_mode -s glx

Source: Xfwm - ArchWiki

1 Like
2

Interesting - what version are your Intel GFX? inxi -G

I am using /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-intel.conf without issues

Section "Device"
    Identifier  "Intel Graphics"
    Driver      "intel"
    Option      "TearFree" "true"
EndSection

I have even used this variation without issue either

Section "Device"
    Identifier  "Intel Graphics"
    Driver      "intel"
    Option      "AccelMethod"     "sna"
    Option      "TearFree"        "true"
    Option      "SwapbuffersWait" "true"
    Option      "DRI"             "2"
EndSection
3

Thanks for reply!
When I produce /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-intel.conf after reboot I get the black screen indicate failure to start xserver.

      Device-1: Intel HD Graphics 620 driver: i915 v: kernel 
  Device-2: NVIDIA GM108M [GeForce 930MX] driver: nvidia v: 450.66 
  Device-3: Lite-On HP HD Camera type: USB driver: uvcvideo 
  Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.9 driver: modesetting,nvidia 
  resolution: 1366x768~60Hz 
  OpenGL: renderer: Mesa Intel HD Graphics 620 (KBL GT2) v: 4.6 Mesa 20.1.8
4

Ohh - I see - I don’t have anything with that combo - I have an older Thinkpad T550 with dual graphics and and it’s running the intel primarily - not a gamer so intel is long good.

Graphics:
  Device-1: Intel HD Graphics 5500 driver: i915 v: kernel 
  Device-2: NVIDIA GM108M [GeForce 940M] driver: nvidia v: 440.100 
  Device-3: Acer Integrated Camera type: USB driver: uvcvideo 
  Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.9 driver: intel resolution: 2880x1620~60Hz

Could this be the much newer Intel chip causing this.

Have you tried the other config from my notes?

I will see what happens if I switch to 455 - this is what I have running atm

➜  ~ mhwd -li                   
> Installed PCI configs:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  NAME               VERSION          FREEDRIVER           TYPE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
video-hybrid-intel-nvidia-440xx-prime            2020.10.04               false            PCI
           video-linux            2018.05.04                true            PCI

After installing the 455 driver - still have a working system - and the 20-intel.conf is still present.

Graphics:
  Device-1: Intel HD Graphics 5500 driver: i915 v: kernel 
  Device-2: NVIDIA GM108M [GeForce 940M] driver: nvidia v: 455.28 
  Device-3: Acer Integrated Camera type: USB driver: uvcvideo 
  Display: x11 server: X.Org 1.20.9 driver: intel resolution: 2880x1620~60Hz 

$ mhwd -li
> Installed PCI configs:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  NAME               VERSION          FREEDRIVER           TYPE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     video-modesetting            2020.01.13                true            PCI
video-hybrid-intel-nvidia-455xx-prime            2020.10.04               false            PCI
           video-linux            2018.05.04                true            PCI

What I do think may be important is the content of 90-mhwd.conf. I think the two can collide if you have both - which may be why the mhwd is a symlink - but I don’t know. I do remember experimenting at some point but years has gone and I don’t recall the result anymore

One major difference is the Intel GPU in mine vs. your system - this could have some significance.

I use the GUI MSM to remove the 440 driver and to install the 455 driver - without intermittent reboot.

Another point may be the window manager in play - Openbox vs. xfwin

5 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  NAME               VERSION          FREEDRIVER           TYPE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
video-hybrid-intel-nvidia-450xx-prime            2019.10.25               false            PCI
     video-modesetting            2020.01.13                true            PCI
6

Thanks for your interest!
Before that I used to bumblebee and I didn’t have any issues making intel config file. Like you said it can be mhwd config and intel config file problem. I don’t have any issue except screen tearing and solved this method. I don’t try to bumblebee because I don’t remember how I configure the system :slight_smile: I’m not willing to search on arch wiki and other content. My latest install over a year ago (This is good thing for me, it shows Manjaro going to run for a while without issues)