Stuck in Bootloop: Resolving TPM2 and ACPI Errors on Ubuntu 25.04 (Lenovo Ideapad Slim 5 Light)

We understand the frustration of encountering a bootloop after installing Ubuntu 25.04, especially when TPM (Trusted Platform Module) is involved. This comprehensive guide aims to provide solutions tailored to your specific situation, addressing the ACPI errors, TPM configuration, and potential compatibility issues with your Lenovo Ideapad Slim 5 Light (13ARP10, Ryzen 7 7735HS). We will work through potential causes and detailed steps to resolve this issue and get your system up and running.

Understanding the Errors

Before diving into solutions, let’s decipher the error messages you’re seeing.

  • ACPI BIOS Error (bug): Could not resolve symbol [\_SB.PC10.LPCB.EC0], AE_NOT_FOUND: This error typically indicates a problem with the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) implementation in your laptop’s BIOS. ACPI is responsible for power management and hardware configuration. The specific symbol not found suggests a driver or module is trying to access a resource that isn’t properly defined in the BIOS.

  • ACPI Error: AE_NOT_FOUND, During name lookup/catalog: This is a related error, reiterating the ACPI issue. It confirms that the system is unable to locate a necessary component during the BIOS initialization process.

  • hub 6-0:1.0: config failed, hub doesn’t have any ports! (err -19): This error is USB-related. It signifies that a USB hub isn’t initializing correctly, possibly due to power issues or a driver problem. While seemingly unrelated to TPM, USB issues can sometimes exacerbate boot problems.

  • Starting systemd-battery-check.service… These entries by themselves aren’t errors. They are informational systemd service messages. They become useful when analyzing boot logs for delays or hangs.

The fact that these errors are occurring after enabling TPM during installation strongly suggests that the TPM configuration or its interaction with the BIOS is the root cause of the bootloop.

Troubleshooting Steps: Isolating the Problem

The following steps outline a systematic approach to diagnose and fix the bootloop.

1. Boot into Recovery Mode

The first step is to gain access to a working environment. Recovery mode allows you to bypass the normal boot process and perform system maintenance.

  1. Interrupt the Boot Process: When your Lenovo Ideapad Slim 5 Light starts, repeatedly press the Esc, F2, or F12 key (the specific key depends on your BIOS settings) to enter the boot menu or BIOS setup.

  2. Select Recovery Mode: From the boot menu, choose the “Advanced options for Ubuntu” entry. This will lead you to a submenu where you can select a “recovery mode” kernel. Choose a recovery mode that corresponds to your installed Ubuntu 25.04 version.

  3. Choose a Recovery Option: Once in recovery mode, you’ll see a menu of options. Select “root” to enter a root shell prompt. This gives you command-line access to your system.

2. Examine System Logs

Analyzing system logs can provide valuable insights into the errors and their causes.

  1. Mount the Filesystem: In the root shell, first mount the filesystem with read-write permissions:

    mount -o remount,rw /

  2. Check the systemd journal: The systemd journal records system events and error messages. Review the journal for clues about what’s failing during boot:

    journalctl -b -1 -p err

    The -b -1 flag shows the logs from the previous boot (the failed boot), and -p err filters the output to show only error messages. Pay close attention to any errors related to ACPI, TPM, or USB devices.

  3. Examine dmesg output: The dmesg command displays kernel messages, which can also be helpful:

    dmesg | less

    Search for “ACPI,” “TPM,” or “USB” to find relevant messages.

  4. Check /var/log/syslog: Older systems or systems with rsyslog configured might also store logs in /var/log/syslog. Examine this file for any boot-related errors:

    less /var/log/syslog

3. Addressing ACPI Errors

The ACPI errors suggest a potential incompatibility between your laptop’s BIOS and the Linux kernel. Several strategies can be employed to mitigate these errors.

  1. Update BIOS: The first and most crucial step is to update your Lenovo Ideapad Slim 5 Light’s BIOS to the latest version. Visit the Lenovo support website, enter your laptop’s model number, and download the latest BIOS update. Follow the instructions provided by Lenovo to install the BIOS update. A newer BIOS version might include fixes for ACPI issues.

  2. Kernel Boot Parameters: You can try passing kernel boot parameters to disable or modify ACPI behavior. This can sometimes work around BIOS problems.

    • Disable ACPI: As a last resort, you can try disabling ACPI entirely with the acpi=off parameter. However, this can lead to significant functionality loss, including power management and hardware detection. Use this option only if other solutions fail. To add this parameter, edit the /etc/default/grub file:

      nano /etc/default/grub

      Find the line starting with GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT and add acpi=off to the end of the line within the quotes. For example:

      GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash acpi=off"

      Save the file and update GRUB:

      update-grub

      Reboot your system.

    • Try other ACPI options: Experiment with other ACPI-related kernel parameters like acpi=force, pci=noacpi, or acpi_osi=Linux. Add these parameters to the GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT line in /etc/default/grub, update GRUB, and reboot.

    • ACPI DSDT Override: This is an advanced technique. If you are familiar with ACPI Source Language (ASL), it can be used to modify or override your systems Differentiated System Description Table (DSDT). This is not easy and can cause damage to your system if executed incorrectly.

  3. Disable ASPM (Active State Power Management): In some cases, disabling ASPM can resolve ACPI-related issues. Add the parameter pcie_aspm=off to the GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT line in /etc/default/grub, update GRUB, and reboot.

4. TPM Configuration and Issues

Since the bootloop started after enabling TPM during installation, let’s focus on TPM-related solutions.

  1. Secure Boot: Ensure that Secure Boot is enabled in your BIOS settings. TPM often relies on Secure Boot for proper operation. If it’s disabled, enabling it might resolve the issue.

  2. Pluton Firmware TPM: You mentioned that your BIOS has options for “Pluton firmware TPM.” While disabling it makes TPM invisible to Ubuntu, try enabling it after trying the ACPI solutions. Pluton is AMD’s integrated security processor, and its interaction with the system might be contributing to the problem.

  3. TPM State: Check the TPM state in your BIOS. There might be options to “Activate,” “Deactivate,” or “Clear” the TPM. Try different combinations of these settings, one at a time, to see if any resolve the bootloop. Make sure to back up any important encryption keys before clearing the TPM. Clearing the TPM will reset it to its default state.

  4. Disable TPM in GRUB: Try disabling TPM from within GRUB. Edit the /etc/default/grub file:

    nano /etc/default/grub

    Add tpm.disabled=1 to the GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT line:

    GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash tpm.disabled=1"

    Save the file and update GRUB:

    update-grub

    Reboot your system. If this resolves the bootloop, it indicates a TPM-related issue that needs further investigation.

5. Addressing USB Errors

Although the USB error might be secondary, it’s worth addressing it to eliminate it as a potential factor.

  1. BIOS Settings: Check your BIOS settings for USB-related options. Ensure that USB 3.0/3.1/3.2 support is enabled and configured correctly.

  2. Kernel Parameters: You can try adding kernel parameters to control USB behavior.

    • usbcore.autosuspend=-1: Disables USB autosuspend, which can sometimes cause problems with USB devices.
    • usbcore.usbfs_memory_mb=256: Increases the amount of memory allocated to USB devices.

    Add these parameters to the GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT line in /etc/default/grub, update GRUB, and reboot.

6. Reinstalling Ubuntu 25.04 (as a Last Resort)

If none of the above solutions work, a clean reinstallation of Ubuntu 25.04 might be necessary. During the installation process:

  1. Choose Manual Partitioning: Select the “Something else” option during partitioning to manually configure your partitions. This gives you more control over the installation process.
  2. Avoid Encrypting the System Partition: During installation, avoid selecting the option to encrypt your system partition with TPM. Install the system without TPM first.
  3. Install without Internet Connection: Sometimes packages downloaded during install can cause a problem. Do the install without internet, boot into the system, update and upgrade and try to install drivers or TPM software later.

After a successful installation without TPM, you can try enabling TPM and configuring encryption later, one step at a time, to identify the exact point where the problem occurs.

7. Rollback to Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (If Applicable)

Ubuntu 25.04 is a non-LTS release. If you are not wedded to this particular version, you could rollback to Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Long Term Support). This version will be supported for longer, and is more stable.

Further Investigation and Reporting Bugs

If you’ve tried all of these solutions and are still encountering the bootloop, it’s possible that there’s a bug in the kernel or Ubuntu’s TPM implementation that specifically affects your Lenovo Ideapad Slim 5 Light.

  • Search for Existing Bug Reports: Search the Ubuntu bug tracker (Launchpad) for similar issues. Someone else might have already reported the problem, and there might be a workaround or fix available.
  • File a New Bug Report: If you can’t find an existing bug report, file a new one. Provide as much detail as possible, including your laptop’s model number, BIOS version, the error messages you’re seeing, and the steps you’ve taken to troubleshoot the problem. Attach any relevant logs (from /var/log/syslog, dmesg, and journalctl).
  • Consult Lenovo Support: Contact Lenovo support for assistance. They might be aware of compatibility issues with Ubuntu and your laptop model.

By carefully following these steps, you should be able to diagnose and resolve the bootloop issue on your Lenovo Ideapad Slim 5 Light after installing Ubuntu 25.04. Remember to proceed systematically and test each solution individually to identify the root cause. Good luck!