What Is Ubuntu Desktop?

Why It Freezes

How to Log In

Install the Proprietary Driver

Remove nomodeset

Note: For AMD or Intel GPUs When installing Ubuntu Desktop, the system may freeze at login if the default graphics settings are incompatible with the hardware. This article explains how to resolve this issue. Ubuntu comes in two varieties: "Ubuntu Server" for server use, and "Ubuntu Desktop" for personal and office use. Ubuntu Server is designed primarily for server operations and is intended to be operated via command line (CUI). It does not include a GUI. Ubuntu Desktop is designed for personal and office use, with an intuitive GUI included as standard. Normally, the kernel initializes the framebuffer (the display area using the GPU) during boot and sets the optimal resolution. However, when this operation fails, the following problems can occur: The main cause of this failure is that the open-source driver is not compatible with the installed GPU. Note: Open-source drivers are the drivers installed by default on Ubuntu, such as nouveau (for NVIDIA), amdgpu (for AMD), and modesetting (a generic driver). For example, the open-source driver may fail to initialize the framebuffer for the latest NVIDIA GPUs, causing a freeze at login. BIOS/UEFI settings or specific hardware configurations (e.g., multi-GPU environments) can also be the cause. Installing a proprietary driver is required for NVIDIA GPUs to set the optimal resolution, but you can't install the proprietary driver without being able to log in first. Using nomodeset disables automatic initialization and runs in low-resolution mode, allowing you to use the GUI environment. Note that this is a temporary fix — you'll need to install the proprietary driver as a permanent solution. This starts the GUI in low-resolution mode, allowing you to log in. After logging in, install the proprietary driver to display the screen at the proper resolution. The following example is for NVIDIA GPUs. Check the recommended driver: Install the recommended driver: The officially provided driver from the repository is recommended, but if needed, download and install the latest driver from the NVIDIA official website. After installing the proprietary driver, remove nomodeset from the GRUB configuration. Edit the GRUB configuration (e.g., using nano): Find the following line: Save the settings and update GRUB: After rebooting, verify that the proprietary driver is working correctly with the following command: Even with AMD or Intel GPUs, similar issues can occur due to open-source drivers. If the specific problem is not resolved, refer to official documentation or support forums. Templates let you quickly answer FAQs or store snippets for re-use. Hide child comments as well For further actions, you may consider blocking this person and/or reporting abuse