[REGRESSION] [535.54.03] The entire screen is frequently flickering

[birdie-github]

NVIDIA Open GPU Kernel Modules Version

535.43.02

Does this happen with the proprietary driver (of the same version) as well?

Yes

Operating System and Version

Fedora 38

Kernel Release

6.3.5

Hardware: GPU

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti

Describe the bug

The screen is constantly flickering, no matter what applications are running.

In Firefox it's happening every few seconds. In other "simple" applications it's less frequent.

To Reproduce

Install.

Bug Incidence

All the time

nvidia-bug-report.log.gz

nvidia-bug-report.log.gz

More Info

This is a regression.

I've reverted to 530.41.03 and it's all good.

Windows users seem to be affected as well. Could be a code change which affects both drivers.

[thesword53]

Do you have 2+ monitors?

I think it's a problem with VRR and dual monitor setup. I also have the issue on Windows with the 530 and 535 drivers and Linux with the 535 drivers. The 530 Linux drivers are not affected because of another bug sticking GPU at higher power state on multi-monitor and >60Hz setup.
I also noticed flickering is caused by VRR/G-Sync screen frequency stuttering and happens when GPU is switching power state.

[birdie-github]

I have a single monitor.

[Littlejth]

I also have this issue on NixOS with kernel 6.3.5 on plasma 5.27.5 running on my RTX 3070. I tried to log into wayland initially and my screen perpetually flickered without ever making it into the session and I had to reboot my machine. I restarted and then tried to go into my X session which worked fine. I was able to go into the nvidia-settings panel and set both my monitors (144hz 1440p secondary over HDMI and 144hz 4K primary over DVI) down to 60hz. Then when I logged out and switched into wayland, no issue. So at least in my experience here and now, it's not necessarily whether or not it's VRR but more to do with high refresh rate in general. Both my monitors are freesync and work when forcing them to work with G-Sync but I didn't have that enabled at all.

EDIT: After doing some experimenting, I can have my 4K set at 144hz and my 1440p at 120hz. If I bring the 1440p monitor up to 144hz that's when I start to have issues. Also in my X session I do see occasional flickering but it's not bad to the point that I can't use the session.

[birdie-github]

530.41.03 drivers are also affected only it takes quite a lot of work to trigger the bug.

Here's roughly what I did:

1. I changed resolution to 1920x1080@60Hz
2. I changed resolution back to 2560x1440@144Hz
3. I switched to Linux console and back

Now the entire screen is flashing and flickering like crazy. Only a complete reboot fixed the issue. Restarting X.org didn't help.

Something is deeply broken for the last two versions of drivers.

Edit: my GPU is acting up. Via HDMI everything is OK, via DP I get artifacts all over the screen even when I'm in BIOS. I cleaned it up, reseated it and now it's all fine.

[birdie-github]

It's still reproducible in 535.54.03 though to a much lesser extent.

For instance when I open Firefox the screen is briefly flashing. Sometimes opening new websites in Firefox also produces flashing.

I can live with that but not a single driver prior had this bug.

[birdie-github]

This is not limited to Firefox. Sometimes the screen briefly flashes even when I'm on the XFCE desktop with all the applications minimized.

I'm not using compositing.

This is reproducible with or without GSync enabled.

[birdie-github]

I've reverted back to 530.41.03 which are free from this bug.

The screen flashing with the new drivers is driving me insane. I don't want my monitor to die because someone in NVIDIA fucked up and I've heard that it's possible to kill a monitor using software.

TBO I'm mad. This bug report has seen zero replies from NVIDIA developers, the release notes don't confirm it either. At least there's a line in your Windows drivers: "When using multiple monitors which support adaptive sync, users may see random flicker on certain displays when G-SYNC is enabled after updating to driver 535.98 [4138119]"

Too bad I've got a single 144Hz HRR/HDR10 GSync 2560x1440 compatible monitor.

[birdie-github]

Pinging @aritger @aaronp24 @amrit1711

[sentakuhm]

I can confirm flickering too
Nvidia driver version: 535.54.03.
System: Arch linux.
Kernel: 6.3.8-arch1-1.
display server protocol: Wayland.

[birdie-github]

@sentakuhm

Please attach your sudo nvidia-bug-report.

[sentakuhm]

@birdie-github

Please attach your sudo nvidia-bug-report.

nvidia-bug-report.log.gz

[Zenzi0]

Yep, happens to me too. As long as this happens this driver version really isn't usable.
Nvidia driver version: 535.54.03
Arcolinux (Arch based, uses same repositories)
Kernel: 6.3.8-zen1-1-zen
Wayland, Sway