Secondary monitor always flickers on and off after waking from sleep

Issues & Assistance
1

Hello everyone, every time my PC wakes from sleep or hibernate the 2nd monitor just flickers on and off until i reboot and it fixes itself. Here is all the stuff I have tried…

  • Updated BIOS
  • Changed kernel version from zen kernel to cachyOS and then again to LTS kernel initramfs fallback
  • Powered monitor on and off
  • Went into display settings disabled and re-enabled the monitor
  • Tried booting into a different user under x11 but the problem still persisted
  • Installed nvidia-open-dkms

EDIT: It would appear monitor goes black if i press a key on my keyboard or if i move my mouse even an inch.

System:
  Kernel: 6.12.40-1-lts arch: x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 15.1.1 clocksource: tsc
    avail: hpet,acpi_pm parameters: BOOT_IMAGE=/@/boot/vmlinuz-linux-lts
    root=UUID=ce34f83e-4c57-46a7-bdf8-4223d609ecb6 rw rootflags=subvol=@ quiet
    resume=UUID=ab838967-7731-4600-9735-3c6ca3cd9737 loglevel=3 splash ibt=off
  Desktop: KDE Plasma v: 6.4.3 tk: Qt v: N/A info: frameworks v: 6.16.0 wm: kwin_wayland vt: 1
    dm: SDDM Distro: Garuda base: Arch Linux
Machine:
  Type: Desktop Mobo: ASUSTeK model: PRIME X470-PRO v: Rev X.0x serial: <superuser required>
    part-nu: SKU uuid: <superuser required> UEFI: American Megatrends v: 6232 date: 09/29/2024
CPU:
  Info: model: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X bits: 64 type: MT MCP arch: Zen 2 gen: 2 level: v3 note: check
    built: 2020-22 process: TSMC n7 (7nm) family: 0x17 (23) model-id: 0x71 (113) stepping: 0
    microcode: 0x8701034
  Topology: cpus: 1x dies: 1 clusters: 1 cores: 8 threads: 16 tpc: 2 smt: enabled cache:
    L1: 512 KiB desc: d-8x32 KiB; i-8x32 KiB L2: 4 MiB desc: 8x512 KiB L3: 32 MiB desc: 2x16 MiB
  Speed (MHz): avg: 3694 min/max: 550/4426 boost: enabled scaling: driver: amd-pstate-epp
    governor: powersave cores: 1: 3694 2: 3694 3: 3694 4: 3694 5: 3694 6: 3694 7: 3694 8: 3694
    9: 3694 10: 3694 11: 3694 12: 3694 13: 3694 14: 3694 15: 3694 16: 3694 bogomips: 115241
  Flags: avx avx2 ht lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 sse4a ssse3
  Vulnerabilities: <filter>
Graphics:
  Device-1: NVIDIA TU104 [GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER] vendor: eVga.com. driver: nvidia v: 575.64.05
    alternate: nouveau,nvidia_drm non-free: 550-570.xx+ status: current (as of 2025-04;
    EOL~2026-12-xx) arch: Turing code: TUxxx process: TSMC 12nm FF built: 2018-2022 pcie: gen: 3
    speed: 8 GT/s lanes: 16 ports: active: none off: DP-2,DP-3 empty: DP-1,HDMI-A-1,Unknown-2
    bus-ID: 08:00.0 chip-ID: 10de:1e84 class-ID: 0300
  Display: wayland server: X.org v: 1.21.1.18 with: Xwayland v: 24.1.8 compositor: kwin_wayland
    driver: X: loaded: nvidia unloaded: modesetting alternate: fbdev,nouveau,nv,vesa
    gpu: nvidia,nvidia-nvswitch d-rect: 4480x1440 display-ID: 0
  Monitor-1: DP-2 pos: right model: AOC 2590G4 serial: <filter> built: 2019 res: mode: 1920x1080
    hz: 144 scale: 135% (1.35) to: 1422x800 dpi: 90 gamma: 1.2 size: 544x303mm (21.42x11.93")
    diag: 623mm (24.5") ratio: 16:9 modes: max: 1920x1080 min: 640x480
  Monitor-2: DP-3 pos: primary,left model: VG27A serial: <filter> built: 2025 res:
    mode: 2560x1440 hz: 165 scale: 150% (1.5) to: 1707x960 dpi: 109 gamma: 1.2
    size: 597x336mm (23.5x13.23") diag: 685mm (27") ratio: 16:9 modes: max: 2560x1440 min: 640x480
  API: EGL v: 1.5 hw: drv: nvidia platforms: device: 0 drv: nvidia device: 2 drv: swrast gbm:
    drv: nvidia surfaceless: drv: nvidia wayland: drv: nvidia x11: drv: nvidia inactive: device-1
  API: OpenGL v: 4.6.0 compat-v: 4.5 vendor: nvidia mesa v: 575.64.05 glx-v: 1.4
    direct-render: yes renderer: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER/PCIe/SSE2 memory: 7.81 GiB
    display-ID: :1.0
  API: Vulkan v: 1.4.321 layers: 15 device: 0 type: discrete-gpu name: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070
    SUPER driver: nvidia v: 575.64.05 device-ID: 10de:1e84 surfaces: N/A device: 1 type: cpu
    name: llvmpipe (LLVM 20.1.8 256 bits) driver: mesa llvmpipe v: 25.1.6-arch1.1 (LLVM 20.1.8)
    device-ID: 10005:0000 surfaces: N/A
  Info: Tools: api: clinfo, eglinfo, glxinfo, vulkaninfo de: kscreen-console,kscreen-doctor
    gpu: corectrl, lact, nvidia-settings, nvidia-smi wl: wayland-info x11: xdpyinfo, xprop, xrandr
Audio:
  Device-1: NVIDIA TU104 HD Audio vendor: eVga.com. driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel pcie: gen: 3
    speed: 8 GT/s lanes: 16 bus-ID: 08:00.1 chip-ID: 10de:10f8 class-ID: 0403
  Device-2: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] Starship/Matisse HD Audio vendor: ASUSTeK
    driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel pcie: gen: 4 speed: 16 GT/s lanes: 16 bus-ID: 0a:00.4
    chip-ID: 1022:1487 class-ID: 0403
  Device-3: Creative Sound BlasterX G6 driver: hid-generic,snd-usb-audio,usbhid type: USB
    rev: 2.0 speed: 480 Mb/s lanes: 1 mode: 2.0 bus-ID: 7-4:4 chip-ID: 041e:3256 class-ID: 0300
    serial: <filter>
  API: ALSA v: k6.12.40-1-lts status: kernel-api with: aoss type: oss-emulator tools: N/A
  Server-1: PipeWire v: 1.4.7 status: active with: 1: pipewire-pulse status: active
    2: wireplumber status: active 3: pipewire-alsa type: plugin 4: pw-jack type: plugin
    tools: pactl,pw-cat,pw-cli,wpctl
Network:
  Device-1: Intel I211 Gigabit Network vendor: ASUSTeK driver: igb v: kernel pcie: gen: 1
    speed: 2.5 GT/s lanes: 1 port: e000 bus-ID: 06:00.0 chip-ID: 8086:1539 class-ID: 0200
  IF: enp6s0 state: up speed: 1000 Mbps duplex: full mac: <filter>
  Info: services: NetworkManager, smbd, systemd-timesyncd
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 10.03 TiB used: 4.16 TiB (41.5%)
  SMART Message: Unable to run smartctl. Root privileges required.
  ID-1: /dev/nvme0n1 maj-min: 259:0 vendor: Intel model: SSDPEKNW010T8 size: 953.87 GiB
    block-size: physical: 512 B logical: 512 B speed: 31.6 Gb/s lanes: 4 tech: SSD serial: <filter>
    fw-rev: 002C temp: 36.9 C scheme: GPT
  ID-2: /dev/sda maj-min: 8:0 vendor: Western Digital model: WD30EZRZ-00GXCB0 size: 2.73 TiB
    block-size: physical: 4096 B logical: 512 B speed: 6.0 Gb/s tech: HDD rpm: 5400 serial: <filter>
    fw-rev: 0A80
  ID-3: /dev/sdb maj-min: 8:16 vendor: Western Digital model: WD50NDZW-11BCSS1 size: 4.55 TiB
    block-size: physical: 4096 B logical: 512 B type: USB rev: 3.2 spd: 5 Gb/s lanes: 1
    mode: 3.2 gen-1x1 tech: HDD rpm: 4800 serial: <filter> fw-rev: 1023 scheme: GPT
  ID-4: /dev/sdc maj-min: 8:32 vendor: Toshiba model: MQ04UBD200 size: 1.82 TiB block-size:
    physical: 512 B logical: 512 B type: USB rev: 3.0 spd: 5 Gb/s lanes: 1 mode: 3.2 gen-1x1
    tech: HDD rpm: 5400 serial: <filter> fw-rev: 5438 scheme: MBR
Partition:
  ID-1: / raw-size: 936.5 GiB size: 936.5 GiB (100.00%) used: 108.45 GiB (11.6%) fs: btrfs
    dev: /dev/nvme0n1p2 maj-min: 259:2
  ID-2: /boot/efi raw-size: 300 MiB size: 299.4 MiB (99.80%) used: 616 KiB (0.2%) fs: vfat
    dev: /dev/nvme0n1p1 maj-min: 259:1
  ID-3: /home raw-size: 936.5 GiB size: 936.5 GiB (100.00%) used: 108.45 GiB (11.6%) fs: btrfs
    dev: /dev/nvme0n1p2 maj-min: 259:2
  ID-4: /var/log raw-size: 936.5 GiB size: 936.5 GiB (100.00%) used: 108.45 GiB (11.6%) fs: btrfs
    dev: /dev/nvme0n1p2 maj-min: 259:2
  ID-5: /var/tmp raw-size: 936.5 GiB size: 936.5 GiB (100.00%) used: 108.45 GiB (11.6%) fs: btrfs
    dev: /dev/nvme0n1p2 maj-min: 259:2
Swap:
  Kernel: swappiness: 133 (default 60) cache-pressure: 100 (default) zswap: no
  ID-1: swap-1 type: zram size: 15.52 GiB used: 0 KiB (0.0%) priority: 100 comp: zstd
    avail: lzo-rle,lzo,lz4,lz4hc,deflate,842 max-streams: 16 dev: /dev/zram0
  ID-2: swap-2 type: partition size: 17.07 GiB used: 0 KiB (0.0%) priority: -2
    dev: /dev/nvme0n1p3 maj-min: 259:3
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 43.0 C mobo: 37.0 C
  Fan Speeds (rpm): cpu: 0 case-1: 918 case-2: 0 case-3: 953
  Power: 12v: 11.84 5v: N/A 3.3v: N/A vbat: N/A
Info:
  Memory: total: 16 GiB available: 15.52 GiB used: 4.56 GiB (29.3%)
  Processes: 447 Power: uptime: 12m states: freeze,mem,disk suspend: deep avail: s2idle
    wakeups: 2 hibernate: platform avail: shutdown, reboot, suspend, test_resume image: 6.12 GiB
    services: org_kde_powerdevil, power-profiles-daemon, upowerd Init: systemd v: 257
    default: graphical tool: systemctl
  Packages: 1817 pm: pacman pkgs: 1810 libs: 521 tools: octopi,pamac,paru pm: flatpak pkgs: 7
    Compilers: clang: 20.1.8 gcc: 15.1.1 Client: Unknown Client: electron inxi: 3.3.38
Garuda (2.7.3-2):
  System install date:     2025-07-21
  Last full system update: 2025-07-29
  Is partially upgraded:   No
  Relevant software:       snapper NetworkManager dracut
  Windows dual boot:       No/Undetected
  Failed units:
2

Hi :slight_smile: just to rule it out, could you try to set both your monitors to the same refresh rate and see if the problem persists?

3

Installed nvidia-open-dkms

System: Kernel: 6.12.40-1-lts arch

Device-1: NVIDIA TU104 [GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER]

Perhaps that’s the prob.

If you use the lts kernel you need then nvidia-open-lts. (my mind)
And for all other kernels you need the nvidia-open-dkms.
Both driver you can’t use. If, use “only” the lts kernel + nvidia-open-lts.
For all kernels nvidia-open-dkms.
The kernel can not use 2 gpu modules at the same time for one gpu.

  • pls test on a different dp port
4

Hi :slight_smile: just to rule it out, could you try to set both your monitors to the same refresh rate and see if the problem persists?

I just tried this and both my monitors went black. My primary turned off completely and my 2nd monitor just turned black but was still on. I do have to note that they dont both have adaptive sync enabled so maybe that has something to do with it but not sure.

5

If you use the lts kernel you need then nvidia-open-lts. (my mind)
And for all other kernels you need the nvidia-open-dkms.
Both driver you can’t use. If, use “only” the lts kernel + nvidia-open-lts.
For all kernels nvidia-open-dkms.
The kernel can not use 2 gpu modules at the same time for one gpu.

Are these steps only for LTS kernel? Would i need to do these steps every time i boot into the kernel? Also when I boot into LTS kernel I have to click on Initramfs option because otherwise it will just give me an infinite loading circle when i use the normal LTS kernel option in grub.

My monitor flickering after waking from sleep isn’t an LTS only issue I have had this on zen and cachyos kernels as well. So I am at a loss on how to proceed.

6

Not sure if it can help you, but I have an external monitor connected to a laptop.
Using X I have no flickering and no black screen using refresh rates 60Hz or 144Hz.
Using Wayland it will flicker (and give black screen at times) if using those refresh rates. I have to specifically choose 59.94Hz or 143.86Hz in Plasma’s Display Configuration to stop it from happening.

7

If you have “only” installed the lts kernel, you should install the nvidia-open-lts package.
If you have more then this kernel installed you “must” install nvidia-open-dkms.

1 Like
8

I don’t know if this have anything to do with your problem. It helped me as many programs started to act weird when opening them, placing windows on odd places on screen. https://medium.com/@muffwaindan/using-multiple-monitors-with-different-resolutions-on-wayland-linux-530ef23fc5eb. I may be way out here (my humble excuses if I’m pointing in wrong direction), after applying changes to my /etc/environment all works as expected.

9

This has been solved, the solution was turning off adaptive sync on both monitors. Now my monitors dont misbehave after waking up! Huzzah!

10

Right on dude! Glad its solved!

11

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