How to Fix Intel Screen Tearing on Xfce

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

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

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

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

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

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)