Fix Video and Display Issues on Dell Ubuntu Computers

Is your Dell computer's display not working properly on Ubuntu? You're in the right place. This guide walks you through everything you need to know, from understanding how video works on Ubuntu to fixing common display problems step by step.

Whether you're seeing a black screen, a low resolution, display flickering, or a blank screen after logging in, this guide helps you find the right solution quickly.

What's in This Article

• Step 1: Identify Your Video Hardware Type
• Step 2: Check Your Display Server (Wayland or X11)
• Step 3: Update or Install Your Graphics Driver
• Step 4: Fix a Black Screen or No Display
• Step 5: Fix Low or Incorrect Screen Resolution
• Step 6: Fix Display Performance or Flickering Issues
• Step 7: Fix Hybrid Graphics Issues (Laptops)
• Still Need Help?

Step 1: Identify Your Video Hardware Type

Before troubleshooting, it helps to know what type of graphics hardware your Dell computer uses. There are four basic types of video hardware used on Dell computers with Ubuntu.

How to check which GPU your computer is using

1. Press Ctrl + Alt +T to open the Terminal.
2. Run this command: lspci | grep VGA

This shows the name and type of your graphics hardware. Many laptops have two GPUs, for example, an integrated Intel and a dedicated NVIDIA or AMD card. The output of the lspci command will list both if they are present.

Example output (Hybrid setup):

00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation UHD Graphics 630
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: NVIDIA Corporation GeForce GTX 1650

Step 2: Check Your Display Server

Ubuntu uses a display server to manage how graphics are shown on your screen. Knowing which one is active helps you follow the right troubleshooting steps.

Wayland is the modern display protocol that has been replacing X11 in Ubuntu since Ubuntu 21.04. Ubuntu 22.04 extended the default Wayland session to NVIDIA systems running recent proprietary drivers, and Ubuntu 24.04 pushes Wayland further as the primary session type.

How to check your display server

1. Open the Terminal (press Ctrl + Alt + T).
2. Run this command: echo $XDG_SESSION_TYPE

This returns either wayland or x11, indicating which display server is currently in use. This command works on all recent Ubuntu versions including 24.04.

Why does this matter?

Wayland is the recommended default display server for stability and performance on newer Ubuntu versions. However, some applications, particularly older software or certain screen recording tools, may not work properly with Wayland. If you are experiencing issues that only appear inside Ubuntu (not during boot), switching between Wayland and X11 can help isolate the problem.

How to switch between Wayland and X11

1. Open the Terminal (press Ctrl + Alt + T).
2. Run this command to open the display manager configuration file: sudo nano /etc/gdm3/custom.conf
3. Find the line that reads: #WaylandEnable=false
4. To switch to X11 (Xorg), remove the # so the line reads: WaylandEnable=false
5. To re-enable Wayland, add the # back so the line reads: #WaylandEnable=false
6. Press Ctrl+O to save, then Ctrl + X to exit.
7. Restart the display manager by running: sudo systemctl restart gdm3

This logs you out and applies the changes immediately.

Step 3: Update or Install Your Graphics Driver

Outdated or missing graphics drivers are one of the most common causes of display issues on Ubuntu. Most problems with the display are caused by issues with graphics drivers or configuration.

Method A: Use the Software & Updates Tool (Easiest)

Ubuntu provides a graphical tool called Software & Updates that allows users to manage software sources and update drivers without using the terminal.

1. Select the Start button (the Ubuntu Activities button, top-left corner) and search for Software & Updates.
2. Select Software & Updates to open it.
3. Select the Additional Drivers tab.
4. This tab lists all available proprietary drivers for your hardware. Ubuntu automatically detects available drivers and displays them in the list. Select the driver you want to install, then select Apply Changes. Ubuntu downloads and installs the selected driver.
5. When the installation finishes, restart your computer.

For NVIDIA cards: Look for the option labeled "Using NVIDIA driver metapackage (proprietary, tested)" and select it. Select Apply Changes to install the driver. After installation is complete, a restart button appears. Select it to restart your PC and finish driver installation.

For AMD cards: Ubuntu usually includes the necessary open-source drivers for AMD graphics cards by default. If you're having issues, the Additional Drivers tab may show optional proprietary AMD drivers.

Method B: Use the Terminal

If the graphical tool is unavailable or doesn't work, use the Terminal:

1. Open the Terminal (press Ctrl + Alt + T).
2. Run this command to update your package list: sudo apt update
3. Run this command to automatically install the recommended driver for your hardware: sudo ubuntu-drivers install
4. Restart your computer.

Step 4: Fix a Black Screen or No Display

A black screen is one of the most common Ubuntu display issues. The display may remain blank during boot, after login, or randomly while using the system. This can stem from hardware glitches, outdated drivers, misconfigured settings, or software conflicts.

First, check if the issue is hardware or software

• If the black screen appears before Ubuntu loads (during boot, in BIOS, or on the Dell logo screen), this is likely a hardware issue. Go to Dell's display troubleshooting page.
• If the black screen only appears after Ubuntu starts loading, continue with the steps below.

Fix A: Boot into Recovery Mode

1. Restart your computer.

2. Hold the Shift key during startup to show the GRUB boot menu. On some systems, press Esc instead of Shift.

3. In the GRUB menu, select Advanced options for Ubuntu.

4. Select Ubuntu (recovery mode).

5. In the Recovery Menu, select Resume to start a normal boot with safe graphics settings.

6. If this doesn't work, go back to the Recovery Menu and select root to access the command line.

Fix B: Update Your Drivers from Recovery Mode

Once in the recovery mode root shell:

1. Enable networking by selecting network in the Recovery Menu.
2. Run the following commands one at a time:
   sudo apt update sudo ubuntu-drivers install sudo reboot

Fix C: Check BIOS/UEFI Settings

Check your BIOS/UEFI settings. If your system has a hybrid graphics option, try switching to Discrete Graphics instead of Hybrid Graphics and see if that resolves the issue.

To access BIOS on a Dell computer:

1. Restart your computer.
2. Press F2 repeatedly as the Dell logo appears.
3. Navigate to the Video or Display settings.
4. Change the graphics mode if an option is available.
5. Save your changes and restart.

Step 5: Fix Low or Incorrect Screen Resolution

If your screen shows a very low resolution (for example, everything looks large and pixelated), try the following steps.

Method A: Use Display Settings (Easiest)

1. Select Activities (top-left corner) and search for Settings.
2. Select Displays.
3. Select your preferred resolution from the list.
4. Select Apply.
5. The preview timeout is 20 seconds, if you do not select Keep Changes, the system reverts to the previous setting. This is a helpful safety net.

Method B: Use xrandr in the Terminal (X11/Xorg Sessions Only)

Important: There are two main solutions for setting a custom resolution: adding a kernel parameter at startup (which works in both Wayland and Xorg), or using xrandr (which works for X11/Xorg sessions only).

To check your current session type first, run: echo $XDG_SESSION_TYPE

If the output shows x11, continue with xrandr:

1. Open the Terminal (press Ctrl + Alt + T).
2. Run this command to see your connected displays and available resolutions: xrandr
3. To set a specific resolution, run: xrandr --output HDMI-1 --mode 1920x1080

Replace HDMI-1 with your display name (as shown in the xrandr output) and 1920x1080 with your target resolution.

Method C: Set a Custom Resolution Using a Kernel Parameter (Works on Both Wayland and X11)

This approach works seamlessly on both Wayland and Xorg.

1. Open the Terminal (press Ctrl + Alt + T).
2. Run this command to open the GRUB configuration file: sudo nano /etc/default/grub
3. Find the line that starts with: GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT=
4. Add your desired resolution (replace 1920x1080 and 60 with your values): GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash video=HDMI-1:1920x1080@60"
5. Press Ctrl + O to save, then Ctrl + X to exit.
6. Run this command to apply the change: sudo update-grub
7. Restart your computer.

Step 6: Fix Display Performance or Flickering Issues

If you're experiencing screen flickering, slow graphics performance, or visual glitches inside Ubuntu, try the following.

Check if the issue is only in Ubuntu

1. Restart your computer.
2. Check if the issue appears during the BIOS screen or the Dell boot logo.
   • Yes, it appears during boot → This is a hardware issue. Contact Dell Support.
   • No, it only appears in Ubuntu → Continue with the steps below.

Fix: Update System Packages

An outdated Ubuntu installation can cause display instability. Keep your system updated:

1. Open the Terminal (press Ctrl + Alt + T).
2. Run: sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
3. Restart your computer after the update completes.

Fix: Switch Your Display Server

If you're on Wayland and experiencing instability, try switching to X11 as described in Step 2. Some reasons to use Xorg instead of Wayland include graphical errors or performance issues while using Wayland.

Fix: Check for Conflicting Drivers

If you previously installed drivers from multiple sources, conflicts can cause display issues. Mixing Ubuntu repository packages, the graphics-drivers PPA, NVIDIA's CUDA repository, and runfile installs can leave mismatched DKMS modules or libraries.

To check your current driver: sudo lshw -C display

Look for the driver= line to see what's currently in use.

Step 7: Fix Hybrid Graphics Issues (Laptops)

Many modern Dell laptops use hybrid graphics, meaning they have both an integrated GPU (usually Intel) and a dedicated GPU (usually NVIDIA or AMD). It's common to have a hybrid setup of two graphics cards on laptops. The integrated Intel graphics act as the primary driver and handle most of the less intensive tasks without consuming much power. For gaming, 3D rendering, and other graphics-heavy work, the dedicated NVIDIA GPU should be used.

How to switch between GPUs

Option A: Using the NVIDIA Settings App (For NVIDIA + Intel systems)

1. Make sure your NVIDIA driver is installed (see Step 3).
2. Select Activities and search for NVIDIA Settings.
3. Open it and go to the PRIME Profiles tab.
4. You can switch between the following GPU modes: NVIDIA (Performance), uses NVIDIA only for the desktop; NVIDIA On-Demand, uses the integrated GPU and only the NVIDIA GPU when specified.
5. When you change the graphics profile, you need to log out and log back in to see the effect.

Option B: Using the Terminal

To switch to the NVIDIA GPU: sudo prime-select nvidia

To switch to the integrated Intel GPU: sudo prime-select intel

To check which GPU is currently selected: prime-select query

External Monitor Not Working with Hybrid Graphics?

Note that integrated graphics mode may mean external monitors don't work if the system's display ports are connected through the NVIDIA GPU. NVIDIA graphics mode uses the discrete NVIDIA GPU only. If your external monitor isn't showing output, try switching to NVIDIA mode using the steps above.

Still Need Help?

If you've tried the steps in this guide and still have display issues, here are your next steps:

1. Run Dell's online diagnostics at Dell.com/support/diagnostics to check for hardware problems.
2. Visit the Ubuntu Community Forums at ubuntuforums.org for software-specific issues.
3. Contact Canonical for Ubuntu operating system support at ubuntu.com/support.

Reminder: Dell only supports the hardware shipped with your computer and the factory-installed version of Ubuntu. For further software support, you may be directed to Canonical. If the hardware in question is a third-party device, you may be directed to contact the manufacturer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Why is my screen resolution stuck at a low setting after installing Ubuntu?
A: This usually means Ubuntu is using a generic video driver instead of the correct one for your graphics card. Follow Step 3 to install the right driver.

Q: Does xrandr work on Wayland?
A: xrandr only sees the XWayland screen and cannot configure physical Wayland outputs. If you're on Wayland and need to change your resolution, use the Display Settings app or the kernel parameter method in Step 5, Method C.

Q: What is the difference between Wayland and X11?
A: Wayland is a newer display server protocol designed to be simpler, more secure, and more efficient than X.Org. Wayland aims to provide smoother rendering of graphics and a more secure environment by isolating the handling of inputs to the clients directly. X11 (Xorg) is the older system, and some applications still work better with it.

Q: My laptop's external monitor doesn't work. What should I do?
A: On Dell laptops with hybrid graphics (Intel + NVIDIA), external display ports are often connected through the NVIDIA GPU. Switch to NVIDIA mode using the PRIME Profiles settings or sudo prime-select nvidia in the Terminal, then reconnect your monitor.

Q: I see a black screen after updating Ubuntu. What do I do?
A: Boot into Recovery Mode (hold Shift during startup, then select Advanced options for Ubuntu > Ubuntu (recovery mode)), enable networking, and run sudo ubuntu-drivers install followed by reboot.