Arch Linux

janoliver

Member

Registered: 2011-06-01

Posts: 54

Screen flickers with Kernel 4.0.2 and intel graphics

I got a new Laptop, Dell XPS 13 2015, and noticed some weird screen flickering issues on the latest kernel. The flicker starts after some minutes of using Linux, and somewhat reacts to touching the touchpad. It happens in X as well as on a TTY (as you can see in the video linked below). I am using the i915 intel driver. It is not related to laptop-mode-tools or the backlight brightness, as far as I know.

A video of the behaviour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGMjcHhyK0M

A relevant log error appears in the journal:

[drm:intel_cpu_fifo_underrun_irq_handler [i915]]  *ERROR* CPU pipe A FIFO underrun

I did find some stuff on the net to that line and weird screen behaviour, but wasn't shure whether it relates to my problem and how to fix it.

Any ideas? Is Kernel 4.1 probably going to fix it?

Thank you, janoliver

Last edited by janoliver (2015-05-16 11:57:33)

ewaller

Administrator

From: Pasadena, CA

Registered: 2009-07-13

Posts: 20,287

Re: Screen flickers with Kernel 4.0.2 and intel graphics

How new is this machine?  I've seen problems like that when there are issues with flex cables, their mating with FPC connectors and their bonding to the ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) conductors that are printed on the glass of your LCD.  In other words, I suspect this is a hardware problem.

To verify that it is not just a coincidence that you updated tour kernel around the time the device failed, try a different kernel or try the OS that came with the machine.

Move the display to a different hinge angle.  Also push and pinch the edges of the display and see if the behavior changes.

---

Nothing is too wonderful to be true, if it be consistent with the laws of nature -- Michael Faraday
Sometimes it is the people no one can imagine anything of who do the things no one can imagine. -- Alan Turing
---
How to Ask Questions the Smart Way

janoliver

Member

Registered: 2011-06-01

Posts: 54

Re: Screen flickers with Kernel 4.0.2 and intel graphics

Hi ewaller, thanks for answering. The machine is very new, about a week old. I immediately installed arch and windows in dual boot and the issues appear only under linux. It started two days ago, but I didn't use the laptop very much before. So I don't know what caused it and when exactly it happens.

As there are no problems under windows at all, I believe it is not a hardware fault.

Gusar

Member

Registered: 2009-08-25

Posts: 3,605

Re: Screen flickers with Kernel 4.0.2 and intel graphics

It's a known bug in the Intel driver. There's a fix at the intel mailing list, however the last time I looked, the devs were unsure whether the fix is correct. For now, I'd recommend switching to the linux-lts kernel.

Edit: I checked the mailing list again, there was some new discussion and the devs agree that this is a good workaround for now. So if you're up for compiling your own kernel, give it a try. Otherwise use linux-lts until a kernel with that patch is released.

Last edited by Gusar (2015-05-15 18:58:16)

ewaller

Administrator

From: Pasadena, CA

Registered: 2009-07-13

Posts: 20,287

Re: Screen flickers with Kernel 4.0.2 and intel graphics

Is that the same fault?  The video in post #1 is a bit more than a flicker.  There is all kinds of horizontal tearing and some loss of vertical lock as well.

I hope this is the same fault.

---

Nothing is too wonderful to be true, if it be consistent with the laws of nature -- Michael Faraday
Sometimes it is the people no one can imagine anything of who do the things no one can imagine. -- Alan Turing
---
How to Ask Questions the Smart Way

Gusar

Member

Registered: 2009-08-25

Posts: 3,605

Re: Screen flickers with Kernel 4.0.2 and intel graphics

No idea if it's the same issue, even those in that mailing list conversation aren't sure if there's just one or more issues

janoliver

Member

Registered: 2011-06-01

Posts: 54

Re: Screen flickers with Kernel 4.0.2 and intel graphics

Hi, I solved it using the i915.enablle_ips=0 kernel parameter.  So apparently it's a problem of the IPS panel.

Gusar

Member

Registered: 2009-08-25

Posts: 3,605

Re: Screen flickers with Kernel 4.0.2 and intel graphics

That ips setting isn't about IPS panels , it's Intelligent Power Sharing, which is about dynamically sharing power between the CPU and GPU. I don't think it's the correct solution to turn this off, it will definitely have an impact on performance and/or power consumption. Use it for now if it makes the machine work, but it's a temporary workaround, not a proper solution.

Last edited by Gusar (2015-05-16 09:16:56)

janoliver

Member

Registered: 2011-06-01

Posts: 54

Re: Screen flickers with Kernel 4.0.2 and intel graphics

Hm, alright, thanks. I'll wait for the next i915 release to see if something's changed, or the 4.1 kernel. I'll remove the [Solved]  flag until then.

dieghen89

Member

From: Italy

Registered: 2009-06-24

Posts: 134

Re: Screen flickers with Kernel 4.0.2 and intel graphics

Try to switch to uxa acceleration method. I don't have such flickering in X like you but only in vt, I've solved this problems that seems something related to horizontal sync switching from sna to uxa.

---

XPS 13 DE 2015 + K*5
"Machines are so stupid that if you tell them to do something perfect, they'll do it"

ArmlessJohn

Member

From: Curitiba - Brazil

Registered: 2015-06-02

Posts: 2

Re: Screen flickers with Kernel 4.0.2 and intel graphics

I had the very same issue until moments ago with a Dell Inspiron 13 7348. Solved with the UXA acceleration tip from dieghen89
Thanks man!