Third monitor stopped working after moving from one desk to another with different single monitor

So this sucks. I have three monitors. When I installed KDE last week, it detected all my three monitors out of the box and everything was beautiful.

I did the mistake of bringing my laptop to another desk with only one different monitor, plugged it in and had to enable it, but it was detected. Then next day I sat back at my regular desk with my three monitors and only two work. I’ve plugged and unplugged in all sorts of ways, reboot and all that jazz. It will just not detect a third monitor. Like if I unplug one that is working, it will detect the other one that was not working, it just won’t give me a third, which was working out of the box. So, gotta be a config.

I read something about maybe the system disabled something in the bios? IS that even possible?
Could this be something with NVIDA settings that got changed? How can I show this for help since I’m not too familiar with that…

Any help would be really appreciated to get back to working efficiently!

Here is my system info

inxi -Fzx

System:
  Kernel: 6.12.9-200.fc41.x86_64 arch: x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc
    v: 2.43.1-5.fc41
  Desktop: KDE Plasma v: 6.2.5 Distro: Fedora Linux 41 (Workstation Edition)
Machine:
  Type: Laptop System: Dell product: Latitude 5431 v: N/A
    serial: <superuser required>
  Mobo: Dell model: 032XGP v: A01 serial: <superuser required> UEFI: Dell
    v: 1.27.0 date: 11/14/2024
Battery:
  ID-1: BAT0 charge: 34.0 Wh (60.2%) condition: 56.5/64.0 Wh (88.2%)
    volts: 16.4 min: 15.2 model: BYD DELL R05P02C status: charging
  Device-1: hid-19:04:16:04:5c:02-battery model: Bluetooth Keyboard
    charge: N/A status: discharging
CPU:
  Info: 12-core (4-mt/8-st) model: 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1250P bits: 64
    type: MST AMCP arch: Alder Lake rev: 3 cache: L1: 1.1 MiB L2: 9 MiB
    L3: 12 MiB
  Speed (MHz): avg: 1503 min/max: 400/4400:3300 cores: 1: 1503 2: 1503
    3: 1503 4: 1503 5: 1503 6: 1503 7: 1503 8: 1503 9: 1503 10: 1503 11: 1503
    12: 1503 13: 1503 14: 1503 15: 1503 16: 1503 bogomips: 67584
  Flags: avx avx2 ht lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx
Graphics:
  Device-1: Intel Alder Lake-P GT2 [Iris Xe Graphics] vendor: Dell
    driver: i915 v: kernel arch: Gen-12.2 bus-ID: 00:02.0
  Device-2: NVIDIA TU117M [GeForce MX550] vendor: Dell driver: nvidia
    v: 565.77 arch: Turing bus-ID: 02:00.0
  Device-3: Microdia Integrated_Webcam_FHD driver: uvcvideo type: USB
    bus-ID: 3-6:4
  Display: wayland server: X.org v: 1.21.1.15 with: Xwayland v: 24.1.4
    compositor: kwin_wayland driver: X: loaded: modesetting,nvidia
    unloaded: nouveau dri: iris gpu: i915,nvidia resolution: 1: 2194x1234
    2: 1920x1080
  API: EGL v: 1.5 drivers: iris,nvidia platforms:
    active: gbm,wayland,x11,surfaceless,device inactive: N/A
  API: OpenGL v: 4.6.0 compat-v: 4.6 vendor: intel mesa v: 24.3.3 glx-v: 1.4
    direct-render: yes renderer: Mesa Intel Iris Xe Graphics (ADL GT2)
  API: Vulkan v: 1.3.296 drivers: N/A surfaces: xcb,xlib,wayland devices: 3
Audio:
  Device-1: Intel Alder Lake PCH-P High Definition Audio vendor: Dell
    driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus-ID: 00:1f.3
  API: ALSA v: k6.12.9-200.fc41.x86_64 status: kernel-api
  Server-1: JACK v: 1.9.22 status: off
  Server-2: PipeWire v: 1.2.7 status: active
Network:
  Device-1: Intel Alder Lake-P PCH CNVi WiFi driver: iwlwifi v: kernel
    bus-ID: 00:14.3
  IF: wlp0s20f3 state: up mac: <filter>
  Device-2: Intel Ethernet I219-LM vendor: Dell driver: e1000e v: kernel
    port: N/A bus-ID: 00:1f.6
  IF: enp0s31f6 state: down mac: <filter>
Bluetooth:
  Device-1: Intel AX211 Bluetooth driver: btusb v: 0.8 type: USB
    bus-ID: 3-10:7
  Report: btmgmt ID: hci0 rfk-id: 0 state: up address: <filter> bt-v: 5.3
    lmp-v: 12
Drives:
  Local Storage: total: 238.47 GiB used: 92.3 GiB (38.7%)
  ID-1: /dev/nvme0n1 vendor: SK Hynix model: BC901 NVMe 256GB
    size: 238.47 GiB temp: 39.9 C
Partition:
  ID-1: / size: 232.02 GiB used: 92.26 GiB (39.8%) fs: ext4
    dev: /dev/nvme0n1p5
  ID-2: /boot/efi size: 199.8 MiB used: 43.6 MiB (21.8%) fs: vfat
    dev: /dev/nvme0n1p4
Swap:
  ID-1: swap-1 type: zram size: 8 GiB used: 0 KiB (0.0%) dev: /dev/zram0
  ID-2: swap-2 type: partition size: 1.99 GiB used: 0 KiB (0.0%)
    dev: /dev/nvme0n1p6
Sensors:
  System Temperatures: cpu: 52.0 C mobo: 48.0 C
  Fan Speeds (rpm): cpu: 1313
Info:
  Memory: total: 16 GiB note: est. available: 14.85 GiB used: 7.27 GiB (49.0%)
  Processes: 522 Uptime: 11m Init: systemd target: graphical (5)
  Packages: 16 note: see --rpm Compilers: gcc: 14.2.1 Shell: Bash v: 5.2.32
    inxi: 3.3.36

@computersavvy seems pretty active in external monitor issues, here is more information about the system

randr

Screen 0: minimum 16 x 16, current 3840 x 1080, maximum 32767 x 32767
HDMI-A-1 connected primary 1920x1080+0+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 528mm x 297mm
   1920x1080     74.91*+
   1440x1080     74.92  
   1400x1050     74.87  
   1280x1024     74.90  
   1280x960      74.86  
   1152x864      74.82  
   1024x768      74.67  
   800x600       74.91  
   640x480       74.77  
   320x240       73.82  
   1680x1050     74.89  
   1440x900      74.85  
   1280x800      74.76  
   1152x720      74.72  
   960x600       74.84  
   928x580       74.58  
   800x500       74.87  
   768x480       74.71  
   720x480       74.51  
   640x400       74.23  
   320x200       73.70  
   1600x900      74.89  
   1368x768      74.73  
   1280x720      74.78  
   1024x576      74.80  
   864x486       74.45  
   720x400       74.23  
   640x350       74.53  
DP-1 connected 1920x1080+1920+0 (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 528mm x 297mm
   1920x1080     74.91*+
   1440x1080     74.92  
   1400x1050     74.87  
   1280x1024     74.90  
   1280x960      74.86  
   1152x864      74.82  
   1024x768      74.67  
   800x600       74.91  
   640x480       74.77  
   320x240       73.82  
   1680x1050     74.89  
   1440x900      74.85  
   1280x800      74.76  
   1152x720      74.72  
   960x600       74.84  
   928x580       74.58  
   800x500       74.87  
   768x480       74.71  
   720x480       74.51  
   640x400       74.23  
   320x200       73.70  
   1600x900      74.89  
   1368x768      74.73  
   1280x720      74.78  
   1024x576      74.80  
   864x486       74.45  
   720x400       74.23  
   640x350       74.53 

dnf list installed '*nvidia*'

Updating and loading repositories:
Repositories loaded.
Installed packages
akmod-nvidia.x86_64                                 3:565.77-1.fc41                  <unknown>
kmod-nvidia-6.12.7-200.fc41.x86_64.x86_64           3:565.77-1.fc41                  @commandline
kmod-nvidia-6.12.8-200.fc41.x86_64.x86_64           3:565.77-1.fc41                  @commandline
kmod-nvidia-6.12.9-200.fc41.x86_64.x86_64           3:565.77-1.fc41                  @commandline
nvidia-gpu-firmware.noarch                          20241210-1.fc41                  <unknown>
nvidia-modprobe.x86_64                              3:565.77-1.fc41                  <unknown>
nvidia-settings.x86_64                              3:565.77-1.fc41                  <unknown>
xorg-x11-drv-nvidia.x86_64                          3:565.77-3.fc41                  <unknown>
xorg-x11-drv-nvidia-cuda-libs.x86_64                3:565.77-3.fc41                  <unknown>
xorg-x11-drv-nvidia-kmodsrc.x86_64                  3:565.77-3.fc41                  <unknown>
xorg-x11-drv-nvidia-libs.i686                       3:565.77-3.fc41                  <unknown>
xorg-x11-drv-nvidia-libs.x86_64                     3:565.77-3.fc41                  <unknown>
xorg-x11-drv-nvidia-power.x86_64                    3:565.77-3.fc41                  <unknown>
xorg-x11-drv-nvidia-xorg-libs.x86_64                3:565.77-3.fc41                  <unknown>

Available packages
golang-github-nvidia-container-toolkit.x86_64       1.16.2-1.fc41                    updates
golang-github-nvidia-container-toolkit-devel.noarch 1.16.2-1.fc41                    updates
golang-github-nvidia-nvlib-devel.noarch             0.6.1-1.fc41                     fedora
golang-github-nvidia-nvml-devel.noarch              0.12.4.0-3.fc41                  fedora
kmod-nvidia.x86_64                                  3:565.77-1.fc41                  rpmfusion-nonfree-nvidia-driver
libva-nvidia-driver.i686                            0.0.13^20241108git259b7b7-2.fc41 updates
libva-nvidia-driver.x86_64                          0.0.13^20241108git259b7b7-2.fc41 updates
nvidia-persistenced.x86_64                          3:565.77-1.fc41                  rpmfusion-nonfree-nvidia-driver
nvidia-query-resource-opengl.x86_64                 1.0.0-18.fc41                    fedora
nvidia-query-resource-opengl-lib.i686               1.0.0-18.fc41                    fedora
nvidia-query-resource-opengl-lib.x86_64             1.0.0-18.fc41                    fedora
nvidia-texture-tools.i686                           2.1.2-10.fc41                    fedora
nvidia-texture-tools.x86_64                         2.1.2-10.fc41                    fedora
nvidia-texture-tools-devel.i686                     2.1.2-10.fc41                    fedora
nvidia-texture-tools-devel.x86_64                   2.1.2-10.fc41                    fedora
nvidia-xconfig.x86_64                               3:565.77-1.fc41                  rpmfusion-nonfree-nvidia-driver
pcp-pmda-nvidia-gpu.x86_64                          6.3.2-2.fc41                     updates
xorg-x11-drv-nvidia-cuda.x86_64                     3:565.77-3.fc41                  rpmfusion-nonfree-nvidia-driver
xorg-x11-drv-nvidia-cuda-libs.i686                  3:565.77-3.fc41                  rpmfusion-nonfree-nvidia-driver
xorg-x11-drv-nvidia-devel.i686                      3:565.77-3.fc41                  rpmfusion-nonfree-nvidia-driver
xorg-x11-drv-nvidia-devel.x86_64                    3:565.77-3.fc41                  rpmfusion-nonfree-nvidia-driver

mokutil --sb-state

SecureBoot disabled

I do not have a laptop with a DP output.
The fact that you had 3 monitors working seems to indicate that you may be using a docking station? I also do not deal with docking station problems very much.

The problem may be the docking station drivers, or it may be DP daisy chaining. I cannot assist there.

The fact that the external monitor works (even if only one) (and the inxi output) means the nvidia drivers appear to be working properly.

BTW, shifting from dnf4 with f40 to dnf5 on f41 means some of the syntax changed. That command should now be dnf list --installed \*nvidia\*

@computersavvy
Thanks for the reply. Yes it is a docking station for two of the HDMI monitors, these are all HDMI. It was working until I did the mistake and pluging another monitor natively into the HDMI in laptop.

I was afraid you’d say issues with the docker. Nothing changed, if I remove HDMI from native laptop, and plug the HDMI’s into the docker they can work. The laptop just does not want to detect three monitors. damit. It was just fine until I messed it up.

When I look at about it says me Graphics Processor is the internal Mesa Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics. I was thinking maybe its just nvidia not being my primary? I saw other thread about this, but I do not know how to set nvidia as my primary, if that is even the problem.

even on reboot before the login, you can see my third monitor is completely dark. I just do not get it.

when i do screenfetch i looks like the nvidia is not the primary and I am pretty sure it was

actually fastfetch shows

                                          GPU 1: NVIDIA GeForce MX550 [Discrete]
                                          GPU 2: Intel Iris Xe Graphics @ 1.40 GHz [Integrated]

screenfetch

        :-------------------::        OS: Fedora 41
      :-----------/shhOHbmp---:\      Kernel: x86_64 Linux 6.12.9-200.fc41.x86_64
    /-----------omMMMNNNMMD  ---:     Uptime: 34m
   :-----------sMMMMNMNMP.    ---:    Packages: 3066
  :-----------:MMMdP-------    ---\   Shell: bash 5.2.32
 ,------------:MMMd--------    ---:   Resolution: 7201x2160
 :------------:MMMd-------    .---:   DE: KDE
 :----    oNMMMMMMMMMNho     .----:   WM: KWin
 :--     .+shhhMMMmhhy++   .------/   GTK Theme: Breeze [GTK3]
 :-    -------:MMMd--------------:    Disk: 986G / 1.4T (78%)
 :-   --------/MMMd-------------;     CPU: 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1250P @ 16x 4.4GHz [52.0°C]
 :-    ------/hMMMy------------:      GPU: Mesa Intel(R) Iris(R) Xe Graphics (ADL GT2)
 :-- :dMNdhhdNMMNo------------;       RAM: 6779MiB / 15209MiB
 :---:sdNMMMMNds:------------:       
 :------:://:-------------::         
 :---------------------:// 

dnf list --installed \*nvidia\*

Installed packages
akmod-nvidia.x86_64                       3:565.77-1.fc41 <unknown>
kmod-nvidia-6.12.7-200.fc41.x86_64.x86_64 3:565.77-1.fc41 @commandline
kmod-nvidia-6.12.8-200.fc41.x86_64.x86_64 3:565.77-1.fc41 @commandline
kmod-nvidia-6.12.9-200.fc41.x86_64.x86_64 3:565.77-1.fc41 @commandline
nvidia-gpu-firmware.noarch                20241210-1.fc41 <unknown>
nvidia-modprobe.x86_64                    3:565.77-1.fc41 <unknown>
nvidia-settings.x86_64                    3:565.77-1.fc41 <unknown>
xorg-x11-drv-nvidia.x86_64                3:565.77-3.fc41 <unknown>
xorg-x11-drv-nvidia-cuda-libs.x86_64      3:565.77-3.fc41 <unknown>
xorg-x11-drv-nvidia-kmodsrc.x86_64        3:565.77-3.fc41 <unknown>
xorg-x11-drv-nvidia-libs.i686             3:565.77-3.fc41 <unknown>
xorg-x11-drv-nvidia-libs.x86_64           3:565.77-3.fc41 <unknown>
xorg-x11-drv-nvidia-power.x86_64          3:565.77-3.fc41 <unknown>
xorg-x11-drv-nvidia-xorg-libs.x86_64      3:565.77-3.fc41 <unknown>

I have finally fixed it.

This seems to have been related to NVIDA drivers. Honestly, I do not understand what really happened. But after some messing around, this is what I did.

I had a feeling this was related to it not using nvidia as primary.

I went into the software, in explore at the bottom->hardware and there is both my nvidia linux graphic drivers and intel media drivers. I uninstalled it from there.

After that I used this document that I have used before to install nvidia.

This time since I have the repo enabled I just started from step 4 install the driver and dependencies

sudo dnf install gcc kernel-headers kernel-devel akmod-nvidia xorg-x11-drv-nvidia xorg-x11-drv-nvidia-libs xorg-x11-drv-nvidia-libs.i686

It had some things already installed, but installed the following

Installing weak dependencies:
 mesa-vulkan-drivers                           i686     24.3.3-2.fc41                                  updates                               108.3 MiB
 python3-rpmautospec                           noarch   0.7.3-1.fc41                                   updates                               151.1 KiB
 xorg-x11-drv-nvidia-cuda-libs                 x86_64   3:565.77-3.fc41                                rpmfusion-nonfree-nvidia-driver       227.8 MiB
 xorg-x11-drv-nvidia-power   

Then I followed the document, and sure waited the time they told me to wait between certain steps.
This is where I’m novice, step 7 says “Log in to a session with Xorg-X11”. I know that X11 is older and wayland is the new improved. But since it said this, I logged into cinnamon which I was using before I discovered KDE which was better for me because, well, its just awesome.

Anyway, I continued with the rest in cinnamon, and once I did xrandr I could actually see all my monitors and it was a question or unplug /replug and it found it all. Logged out and logged into KDE and I have all my monitors. rebooted, still good. I hope this is the end of that.

The steps I have done do not mean they are accurate at all, feel free to comment and correct so anyone visiting having this issue.
I will note, this started this morning, and yesterday two things happened. I plugged this laptop into a new single external monitor, which I had to enable in display configuration cause it wasn’t picking it up. And I recall there was an update being done that needed a reboot that I did. Something happened in there to have caused this.

1 Like

While not necessarily wrong, following that document seems the hard way today.
Especially since it has you enumerate all those packages for installation. It has not been updated to keep up with the way the newer rpms manage the dependencies when using dnf.

I use one command sudo dnf install akmod-nvidia xorg-x11-drv-nvidia-cuda and it pulls in all the required packages if not already installed

Removing the already installed packages is just as simple from the cli.
sudo dnf remove \*nvidia\* --exclude nvidia-gpu-firmware

Those 2 commands were what I would have suggested next had you not figured out the problem yourself.
:+1: