Linux on Thinkpad x280 intermittently freezes [solved]

Posted on Mon 03 July 2023 in Troubleshooting

It appears that the random intermittent freezes every few minutes where the desktop/ apps/ pointer is unresponsive for a second or more is not limited to Ubuntu/ Fedora or Thinkpad.

The reason is likely Intel i915 GPU.

I found a discussion on Reddit that documents a solution in parts spread out over several comments for the complete answer:

Documenting the steps/files below for next time I'm in the same situation.

Edit /etc/default/grub:

5a6
> GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="i915.enable_psr=0 psmouse.synaptics_intertouch=1"
8c9
< GRUB_ENABLE_BLSCFG=true
---
> GRUB_ENABLE_BLSCFG=false
  • i915.enable_psr=0 to resolve the hangs
  • psmouse.synaptics_intertouch=1 to improve touchpad functionality
  • GRUB_ENABLE_BLSCFG=false to ensure Fedora boots up

Run the following commands to update grub config and reboot

sudo mv /boot/grub2/grub.cfg /root/boot-grub2-grub.cfg.bak
sudo grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/grub2/grub.cfg
sudo reboot

Have not encountered any freezes for over 24 hours now.

Linux Thinkpad