Troubleshooting nvidia-smi: When Your RTX 2050 Disappears on Fedora Linux

The frustration of a seemingly vanishing GPU can be a significant roadblock for any user, particularly on a Linux distribution like Fedora. You’ve meticulously set up your HP Victus 15 with its robust i5 12450H and the capable NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050, only to find that nvidia-smi, your go-to tool for monitoring and managing your NVIDIA hardware, inconsistently reports its presence. One moment, you see the expected output detailing your GPU and its processes; the next, you’re met with the disheartening message: “Unable to determine the device handle for GPU0: 0000:01:00.0: Unknown Error No devices were found.” This perplexing behavior, despite lspci clearly identifying your NVIDIA card with the correct driver in use, suggests a deeper issue related to how the system or the NVIDIA driver is managing the GPU’s lifecycle.

At revWhiteShadow, we understand the importance of a stable and predictable computing environment, especially when dealing with powerful hardware like the RTX 2050. This article is dedicated to providing a comprehensive, detailed, and actionable guide to diagnosing and resolving the intermittent detection issues of your NVIDIA graphics card on Fedora Linux. We will delve into the potential causes, from driver conflicts and power management settings to kernel module loading order and system updates, and offer step-by-step solutions that aim to restore consistent recognition of your GPU by nvidia-smi and other NVIDIA utilities. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge and the practical steps needed to outrank common troubleshooting articles and provide a truly definitive solution for this vexing problem.

Understanding the NVIDIA Driver and GPU Detection on Linux

Before we dive into solutions, it’s crucial to grasp how your NVIDIA GPU is recognized and managed within the Fedora Linux ecosystem. The lspci command is a fundamental tool for enumerating PCI devices, and its output confirms that your system, at the hardware level, sees the NVIDIA Corporation GA107 [GeForce RTX 2050] and that the nvidia kernel driver is indeed in use. This is a positive indicator, meaning the necessary software components are present. However, nvidia-smi relies on a more intricate interaction with the NVIDIA kernel module and its associated user-space libraries.

The NVIDIA driver stack is complex, comprising a kernel module (often nvidia.ko or similar) that interfaces directly with the hardware, and user-space libraries that provide the API for applications like nvidia-smi to communicate with the GPU. When nvidia-smi fails to find the device, it points to a breakdown in this communication chain. This could be due to:

  • Kernel Module Loading Issues: The nvidia kernel module might not be loaded correctly at all times, or it might be unloaded by another process or system event.
  • Driver Version Mismatches: Incompatibilities between the installed NVIDIA driver, the Linux kernel version, and the X server can lead to unpredictable behavior.
  • Power Management Conflicts: Modern laptops, especially those with hybrid graphics (Intel integrated graphics and a discrete NVIDIA GPU), often employ aggressive power management strategies. The system might be powering down the NVIDIA GPU to save energy, making it unavailable to nvidia-smi until it’s re-enabled or reinitialized.
  • Secure Boot and Kernel Module Signing: Fedora’s emphasis on security, particularly with Secure Boot enabled, can sometimes interfere with the loading of proprietary NVIDIA drivers if they are not properly signed.
  • System Updates: Kernel updates, driver updates, or even other system package updates can inadvertently break the existing driver setup.

Given that lspci consistently sees the hardware and identifies the nvidia driver, the issue is likely occurring at the software or driver management layer, specifically concerning the state and accessibility of the GPU to the NVIDIA driver utilities.

Diagnosing the Intermittent GPU Detection Failure

To effectively resolve the issue, we need to pinpoint the exact moment and circumstances under which the GPU becomes undetectable. This involves systematic observation and the use of specific diagnostic commands.

1. Monitoring Kernel Module Status

The presence and loading status of the NVIDIA kernel module are paramount.

  • Check Module Status: Immediately after booting and when nvidia-smi is working, run:

    lsmod | grep nvidia

    You should see output indicating the nvidia module is loaded. Note the specific modules listed (e.g., nvidia, nvidia_modeset, nvidia_uvm, nvidia_drm).

    After the issue occurs and nvidia-smi fails, run the same command again. If the nvidia module is no longer listed, it confirms that the kernel module is being unloaded.

2. Investigating System Logs

System logs are invaluable for uncovering error messages that might explain why the driver is failing or the GPU is becoming inaccessible.

  • Journalctl for NVIDIA-Related Errors: Use journalctl to filter logs for messages related to NVIDIA or the GPU.

    sudo journalctl -f -k | grep -i "nvidia\|gpu\|drm"

    Keep this command running in a separate terminal to observe messages in real-time as the issue manifests. Pay close attention to any errors or warnings that appear around the time nvidia-smi stops working.

    You can also check historical logs for the current boot:

    sudo journalctl -b -k | grep -i "nvidia\|gpu\|drm"

    And for previous boots:

    sudo journalctl -b -1 -k | grep -i "nvidia\|gpu\|drm"

3. Analyzing dmesg Output

dmesg provides kernel ring buffer messages, which can also contain clues.

  • Check Kernel Ring Buffer:
    dmesg | grep -i "nvidia\|gpu\|drm\|pci"
    Look for any errors or warnings related to PCI device initialization, NVIDIA driver loading, or power management events for the NVIDIA GPU.

4. Examining Xorg Logs (if applicable)

If you are using the X server, its logs might indicate issues with graphics switching or driver initialization.

  • Xorg Log Location: The primary Xorg log file is typically located at /var/log/Xorg.0.log.
    sudo grep -i "nvidia\|drm\|fail" /var/log/Xorg.0.log
    Look for any errors related to the NVIDIA driver or detected display devices.

5. Power Management Events

Hybrid graphics systems often involve interactions with the Intel integrated graphics and the NVIDIA discrete GPU. The system may attempt to power down the NVIDIA card when it’s not actively in use to conserve power. This is a common culprit for intermittent detection.

  • Systemd Services Related to Power: Investigate services that might be managing power states. While directly diagnosing power management events can be complex, understanding which components are active can be helpful.

Implementing Solutions for Consistent GPU Recognition

Based on our diagnostic insights, we can now proceed with implementing targeted solutions. It’s advisable to try these solutions one by one, rebooting and testing nvidia-smi after each change to see if the problem is resolved.

Solution 1: Reinstalling the NVIDIA Driver Correctly

A clean installation of the NVIDIA driver is often the most effective first step. Fedora typically uses packages from RPM Fusion.

1.1 Ensure RPM Fusion Repositories are Enabled

RPM Fusion is essential for proprietary drivers on Fedora.

  • Enable Both Free and Nonfree Repositories: If you haven’t already, enable the RPM Fusion repositories. You can usually find instructions on the official RPM Fusion website.

1.2 Uninstall Existing NVIDIA Drivers

Remove any previously installed NVIDIA drivers to prevent conflicts.

sudo dnf remove *nvidia*

1.3 Install Latest NVIDIA Drivers from RPM Fusion

Install the recommended drivers for your architecture.

sudo dnf install akmod-nvidia xorg-x11-drv-nvidia-cuda
  • akmod-nvidia: This package provides the NVIDIA kernel modules that are automatically rebuilt for your current kernel.
  • xorg-x11-drv-nvidia-cuda: This includes the necessary Xorg driver and CUDA support.

1.4 Reboot and Verify

After installation, reboot your system.

sudo reboot

Once the system restarts, run nvidia-smi and check lspci -k | grep -i nvidia.

Solution 2: Configuring Kernel Module Blacklisting (Less Likely, but Possible)

In rare cases, other modules might be interfering with the NVIDIA driver loading. While lspci shows the driver in use, this is a measure to ensure no other module is negatively impacting the NVIDIA driver’s state.

  • Check for Conflicting Modules: You can try blacklisting modules that might conflict. However, be cautious, as blacklisting the wrong module can break your system. Common suspects are Nouveau, the open-source NVIDIA driver, which should already be disabled if the proprietary driver is in use.

    Ensure Nouveau is blacklisted: Create a file /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-nvidia.conf with the following content:

    blacklist nouveau
options nouveau modeset=0

    Then, update your initramfs:

    sudo dracut --force

    And reboot.

Solution 3: Addressing Power Management (Hybrid Graphics)

This is a very common cause for discrete GPUs disappearing. Systems often try to power down the NVIDIA GPU when it’s not explicitly needed.

3.1 Optimus Manager or Similar Tools

Tools like optimus-manager or prime-run are designed to manage hybrid graphics configurations. However, on Fedora, NVIDIA’s own PRIME (Performance Graphics) support is often the preferred and most stable method.

3.2 NVIDIA PRIME Configuration

Fedora’s package selection and the NVIDIA driver itself should handle PRIME correctly. Ensure the necessary packages are installed. The akmod-nvidia installation typically sets this up.

3.3 Disabling Automatic GPU Switching (Experimental)

If the automatic switching is causing the issue, you might try to force the system to always use the NVIDIA GPU or, conversely, ensure it’s properly managed. This is often configured via BIOS/UEFI settings or driver parameters.

  • BIOS/UEFI Settings: Check your HP Victus BIOS/UEFI settings for options related to “Graphics Configuration,” “Hybrid Graphics,” “Discrete Graphics,” or “Switchable Graphics.” Some BIOS versions allow you to set the primary display adapter or disable hybrid graphics entirely, forcing only the dedicated GPU to be active. This is a more drastic step but can help isolate power management as the root cause. Proceed with caution when changing BIOS settings.

3.4 Kernel Parameters for Graphics Switching

Advanced users might explore kernel boot parameters. However, for hybrid graphics on modern systems with Nouveau and NVIDIA drivers, Fedora’s default configuration usually handles this well. If you’ve manually tweaked these, reverting to defaults might be beneficial.

Solution 4: Verifying Secure Boot Compatibility

If Secure Boot is enabled in your BIOS, it can prevent the loading of unsigned kernel modules. The akmod-nvidia package should handle signing modules with your system’s Secure Boot keys, but sometimes this process can be imperfect.

4.1 Check Secure Boot Status

You can check the status of Secure Boot in your BIOS/UEFI. On Fedora, you can also use:

bootctl status

Look for “Secure Boot: enabled”.

4.2 Re-sign NVIDIA Modules (Advanced)

If Secure Boot is enabled and you suspect signing issues, you might need to manually sign the NVIDIA kernel modules. This is an advanced procedure and requires setting up the mokutil tool and enrolling keys. Detailed steps are beyond the scope of a standard nvidia-smi troubleshooting guide but are readily available in Fedora documentation if this is identified as the cause.

Alternatively, if you don’t strictly need Secure Boot, disabling it in your BIOS/UEFI temporarily can help determine if it’s the source of the problem. Remember to re-enable it afterward if desired, ideally after resolving the driver issue.

Solution 5: Managing Xorg Configuration for Hybrid Graphics

Sometimes, manual Xorg configuration can interfere with dynamic GPU switching.

5.1 Ensure No Manual Xorg Configuration Files Conflict

Check /etc/X11/xorg.conf or files in /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/. If you have custom configurations that explicitly bind the NVIDIA card to specific PCI IDs or drivers in a way that prevents dynamic switching, it could cause issues.

For hybrid graphics, the system often relies on the modesetting driver for the Intel iGPU and the NVIDIA driver for the dGPU, with management handled by NVIDIA’s PRIME infrastructure. A generic xorg.conf might be unnecessary or even detrimental.

5.2 Resetting Xorg Configuration

If you suspect a misconfigured xorg.conf, you can try renaming or removing custom configurations and letting the system auto-configure.

sudo mv /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.backup
sudo mv /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d.backup
sudo reboot

Then, re-run nvidia-smi.

Solution 6: Kernel Updates and akmods

Kernel updates are frequent on Fedora. The akmod-nvidia package is designed to automatically build the NVIDIA kernel modules against your new kernel. However, this process can sometimes fail.

6.1 Manual akmods Rebuild

If you suspect a recent kernel update broke the driver, manually triggering a rebuild might help.

sudo akmods --force
sudo depmod -a
sudo reboot

6.2 Checking akmods Status

You can check the status of akmods to see if it encountered errors during module compilation.

sudo akmods --status

Solution 7: Driver Version Downgrade/Upgrade

While installing the latest drivers is usually best, sometimes a specific version might have a bug affecting your hardware. Conversely, an older version might be more stable.

7.1 Identifying Installed Driver Version 

nvidia-xconfig --query-gpu-engines

Or check the xorg-x11-drv-nvidia package version:

dnf info xorg-x11-drv-nvidia

7.2 Trying a Different Driver Version

If you are using the latest driver and experiencing issues, you could try installing a slightly older, well-supported version from RPM Fusion (if available) or the latest stable branch from NVIDIA’s website (though this is generally not recommended on Fedora due to easier integration with RPM Fusion).

Solution 8: Persistent GPU State Management

If the GPU is truly powering down, we need to ensure it stays powered on or is quickly re-initialized.

8.1 Using nvidia-persistenced

The nvidia-persistenced daemon is designed to keep the NVIDIA driver loaded and the GPU in a powered-on state, preventing issues where nvidia-smi might fail after a period of inactivity.

  • Install nvidia-persistenced: This is usually included with the driver packages. Ensure it’s installed.

    sudo dnf install nvidia-persistenced

  • Enable and Start the Service:

    sudo systemctl enable nvidia-persistenced.service
sudo systemctl start nvidia-persistenced.service

    Check its status:

    sudo systemctl status nvidia-persistenced.service

    Look for any errors in the status output.

8.2 Configuring nvidia-persistenced

You can configure nvidia-persistenced to use specific user IDs if needed, but for general use, the default should suffice. The key is that the service runs and keeps the GPU available.

Solution 9: System Updates and Rollbacks

If the issue started immediately after a system update (kernel, NVIDIA driver, system libraries), you might need to consider rolling back that specific update.

9.1 Identify Recent Updates 

sudo dnf history

This command shows recent DNF transactions. Identify the update that coincided with the problem.

9.2 Rollback Specific Transactions

If a specific update caused the problem, you can roll back that transaction. For example, to roll back transaction ID 123:

sudo dnf history undo 123

Be very cautious when rolling back transactions, as it can impact other packages and system stability. It’s often better to investigate the specific package update that caused the issue and seek a fix or alternative.

Advanced Troubleshooting and Long-Term Stability

If the above solutions do not fully resolve the problem, we must consider more intricate aspects of system configuration and hardware interaction.

1. Kernel Command Line Arguments

Certain kernel command-line arguments can influence GPU detection and management. While typically not needed for standard Fedora installations, they can be a last resort.

  • Investigating Specific Parameters: Research kernel parameters related to NVIDIA drivers, PCI, and power management. For instance, parameters like pcie_aspm=off might disable PCI Express power saving, which could potentially keep the GPU more readily available, but this comes at the cost of increased power consumption. To add a kernel parameter:
    1. Edit /etc/default/grub.
    2. Find the line starting with GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX=.
    3. Add your parameter within the quotes, e.g., GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX="rhgb quiet pcie_aspm=off".
    4. Update GRUB configuration:
      sudo grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/grub2/grub.cfg
    5. Reboot.

2. Monitoring GPU Usage

Understanding what is happening on your system when the GPU disappears is key. Is there a specific application or background process that might be triggering a GPU power-down event?

  • Using nvtop: If nvidia-smi is working, install nvtop for a more interactive view:
    sudo dnf install nvtop
    Run nvtop. Observe the GPU utilization, temperature, and power draw. If you notice the GPU suddenly dropping to zero utilization or power, it can indicate a power management event.

3. Firmware Updates

Ensure your HP Victus 15’s BIOS/UEFI and any relevant firmware for the NVIDIA GPU are up to date. Manufacturers sometimes release updates that improve hardware compatibility and power management behavior on Linux.

  • Checking for Firmware Updates: Visit HP’s support website for your specific laptop model and check for available BIOS or firmware updates. Follow their instructions carefully for updating firmware.

4. Community Support and Bug Reporting

If none of these solutions work, it’s possible you’ve encountered a more specific bug.

  • Fedora Forums and Mailing Lists: Engage with the Fedora community. Experienced users might have encountered similar issues and found workarounds.
  • NVIDIA Developer Forums: Post your detailed problem description on NVIDIA’s developer forums. They may be aware of specific issues with the GA107 chip on laptops or certain Fedora kernel versions.
  • Bugzilla: If you can reliably reproduce the issue and have strong evidence of a driver or kernel bug, consider filing a bug report with Fedora or NVIDIA.

Conclusion: Restoring Stable NVIDIA Functionality

The disappearance of your NVIDIA RTX 2050 from nvidia-smi on Fedora Linux is a challenging, yet typically solvable, problem. By systematically diagnosing the issue through log analysis and monitoring kernel module status, and then implementing solutions focused on proper driver installation, power management configuration, and system stability, you can restore consistent recognition of your GPU.

We’ve covered essential steps from ensuring correct driver installation via RPM Fusion and managing kernel module loading to exploring power management configurations and verifying Secure Boot compatibility. Tools like nvidia-persistenced are crucial for maintaining the GPU’s active state, especially in hybrid graphics environments. Remember that a clean installation of the NVIDIA drivers from the recommended RPM Fusion repositories is often the most impactful first step.

If the problem persists, delve deeper into your system’s power management settings, investigate kernel boot parameters if necessary, and ensure your system’s firmware is up-to-date. The stability of your NVIDIA GPU is fundamental for any performance-intensive tasks, from gaming to machine learning, and by following this comprehensive guide, you should be well on your way to a reliable and consistently recognized graphics card. Your HP Victus 15 with its RTX 2050 is a capable machine, and with the right configuration, it will perform as expected.