Fix Screen Tearing on Linux with Intel Graphics

Introduction

I have been using Linux on my laptop with an Intel iGPU for a while, and screen tearing is something that is always present when it comes to testing out new Linux distributions. Whether it be watching a YouTube video, or using your computer normally, screen-tearing gets into everyone's nerves to some degree. So in this article, I will show you how to eliminate the screen tearing on Linux running with Intel GPU hardware.

While there are software solutions that offer OpenGL acceleration and Vsync with compositing software such as Compiz, or Compton, these require additional software. In the method I am using, there will be no such thing, and thus only require copy and pastes on your terminal.

So open up your terminal and get ready to read and type/copy-n-paste (I recommend the latter)!

Disclaimer

I am in no way responsible for you accidentally destroying your device, loss of data, or any harm (mental, physical, whatever) or danger to you. By reading the following instructions, you agree to this statement and accept any consequences that you may endure from this guide.

Have fun! c:

Instructions

Step 1. Check if /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/ exists:

• Command: ls /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d
  • If this directory does not exist, the terminal will output the something like the following: "ls: cannot access '/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d': No such file or directory". This is normal, because distros don't create this to maximise hardware compatibility. Continue to the next step (#2).
  • If it does exist, it may have contents in it. We are particularly interested in modifying a file called "20-intel.conf" inside this directory, so if it does exist make sure to back it up with the following command:
    • Command: sudo mv /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-intel.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-intel.conf.bak
    • This will rename it into a file called "20-intel.conf.bak" so we can create a new file with its original name. You can use "sudo mv /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-intel.conf.bak /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-intel.conf" command again to revert it.
    • At this stage, you have an existing "/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/" folder, and may have renamed the 20-intel.conf file. Skip the next step.

Step 2. Create /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/ directory.

• Use the command "sudo mkdir /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/" to create this folder.
  • To validate that you've created it, use the same command from Step 1 "ls /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/". The folder should not have contents in it.

Step 3. Create the configuration file "/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-intel.conf".

• To create the configuration file, you can easily use any sudo'd (super-user elevated) text editor and paste the contents from the image below. But if you're lazy like me, you can use the terminal and copy and paste the next commands.

• Command 1: sudo -s
  • This logins the root account in the terminal, as it has the super user access privileges we need.
• Command 2: echo -e 'Section "Device"\n Identifier "Intel Graphics"\n Driver "intel"\n Option "TearFree" "true"\nEndSection' > /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-intel.conf
  • This essentially creates the text from the image using the "echo" command, and redirects the output to the file path, /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-intel.conf.
• Command 3: exit
  • It is important to exit out of the super user account to prevent unwanted root access to other files after you're done with this tutorial.

Finally, logout/login or reboot your linux operating system to see the changes.

Step 4 (Optional): Validate your are running X with the TearFree option

Personally, to check if the TearFree option has been activated, I just drag around any open windows I have and see If the tearing persists. But if you are adamant about seeing it if it's actually running, reading the Xorg.0.log file is the way to go:

cat /var/log/Xorg.0.log | grep TearFree

Conclusion

In my case, most of the screen tearing is fixed with the exception of browsing the internet with Mozilla FireFox (Linux Mint's cinnamon's fault) which creates disturbing diagonal screen tearing. Minor screen tearing is still present if you look really close to your monitor, but this only occurs if you don't have a compositor working in the background.

Source(s):

• https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Intel_graphics
  • A must read if you are interested on learning more about Intel graphics hardware running on Linux.