My Screen keeps blanking out! [Solved]
My Screen keeps blanking out!
Screensaver is "turned off". Power settings set to "never". What else is causing my screen to "blank out" every 5 minutes?
Re: My Screen keeps blanking out!
Post your Quick System Info found in MX Tools.
This is my Fluxbox . There are many others like it, but this one is mine. My Fluxbox is my best friend. It is my life.
I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my Fluxbox is useless. Without my Fluxbox, I am useless.
I must master it as I must master my life. Without me, my Fluxbox is useless. Without my Fluxbox, I am useless.
Re: My Screen keeps blanking out!
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System:
Kernel: 6.1.0-37-amd64 [6.1.140-1] arch: x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 12.2.0
parameters: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-6.1.0-37-amd64 root=UUID=<filter> ro quiet splash
Desktop: Xfce v: 4.20.0 tk: Gtk v: 3.24.38 info: xfce4-panel wm: xfwm v: 4.20.0 vt: 7
dm: LightDM v: 1.32.0 Distro: MX-23.6_x64 Libretto October 15 2023 base: Debian GNU/Linux 12
(bookworm)
Machine:
Type: Desktop Mobo: ASRock model: X570 Phantom Gaming-ITX/TB3 serial: <superuser required>
UEFI-[Legacy]: American Megatrends v: P1.60 date: 08/28/2019
Battery:
Device-1: hidpp_battery_0 model: Logitech Wireless Keyboard serial: <filter>
charge: 55% (should be ignored) rechargeable: yes status: discharging
CPU:
Info: model: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X bits: 64 type: MT MCP arch: Zen 2 gen: 3 level: v3 note: check
built: 2020-22 process: TSMC n7 (7nm) family: 0x17 (23) model-id: 0x71 (113) stepping: 0
microcode: 0x8701013
Topology: cpus: 1x cores: 8 tpc: 2 threads: 16 smt: enabled cache: L1: 512 KiB
desc: d-8x32 KiB; i-8x32 KiB L2: 4 MiB desc: 8x512 KiB L3: 32 MiB desc: 2x16 MiB
Speed (MHz): avg: 2200 min/max: 2200/3600 boost: enabled scaling: driver: acpi-cpufreq
governor: ondemand cores: 1: 2200 2: 2200 3: 2200 4: 2200 5: 2200 6: 2200 7: 2200 8: 2200 9: 2200
10: 2200 11: 2200 12: 2200 13: 2200 14: 2200 15: 2200 16: 2200 bogomips: 115200
Flags: avx avx2 ht lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 sse4a ssse3 svm
Vulnerabilities:
Type: gather_data_sampling status: Not affected
Type: indirect_target_selection status: Not affected
Type: itlb_multihit status: Not affected
Type: l1tf status: Not affected
Type: mds status: Not affected
Type: meltdown status: Not affected
Type: mmio_stale_data status: Not affected
Type: reg_file_data_sampling status: Not affected
Type: retbleed mitigation: untrained return thunk; SMT enabled with STIBP protection
Type: spec_rstack_overflow mitigation: safe RET
Type: spec_store_bypass mitigation: Speculative Store Bypass disabled via prctl
Type: spectre_v1 mitigation: usercopy/swapgs barriers and __user pointer sanitization
Type: spectre_v2 mitigation: Retpolines; IBPB: conditional; STIBP: always-on; RSB filling;
PBRSB-eIBRS: Not affected; BHI: Not affected
Type: srbds status: Not affected
Type: tsx_async_abort status: Not affected
Graphics:
Device-1: AMD Cape Verde PRO [Radeon HD 7750/8740 / R7 250E] vendor: VISIONTEK driver: radeon
v: kernel alternate: amdgpu arch: GCN-1 code: Southern Islands process: TSMC 28nm built: 2011-20
pcie: gen: 3 speed: 8 GT/s lanes: 16 ports: active: DP-4 empty: DP-1, DP-2, DP-3, DP-5, DP-6
bus-ID: 2a:00.0 chip-ID: 1002:683f class-ID: 0300 temp: 61.0 C
Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 1.21.1.7 compositor: xfwm v: 4.20.0 driver: X: loaded: radeon
unloaded: fbdev,modesetting,vesa dri: radeonsi gpu: radeon display-ID: :0.0 screens: 1
Screen-1: 0 s-res: 1920x1080 s-dpi: 96 s-size: 509x286mm (20.04x11.26") s-diag: 584mm (22.99")
Monitor-1: DP-4 mapped: DisplayPort-3 model: TCL serial: <filter> built: 2013 res: 1920x1080
hz: 60 dpi: 61 gamma: 1.2 size: 800x450mm (31.5x17.72") diag: 815mm (32.1") ratio: 16:9 modes:
max: 1920x1080 min: 720x400
API: OpenGL v: 4.5 Mesa 22.3.6 renderer: VERDE ( LLVM 15.0.6 DRM 2.50 6.1.0-37-amd64)
direct-render: Yes
Audio:
Device-1: AMD Oland/Hainan/Cape Verde/Pitcairn HDMI Audio [Radeon HD 7000 Series]
vendor: VISIONTEK driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel pcie: gen: 3 speed: 8 GT/s lanes: 16
bus-ID: 2a:00.1 chip-ID: 1002:aab0 class-ID: 0403
Device-2: AMD Starship/Matisse HD Audio vendor: ASRock driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel pcie:
gen: 4 speed: 16 GT/s lanes: 16 bus-ID: 2c:00.4 chip-ID: 1022:1487 class-ID: 0403
API: ALSA v: k6.1.0-37-amd64 status: kernel-api tools: alsamixer,amixer
Server-1: PipeWire v: 1.0.0 status: active with: 1: pipewire-pulse status: active
2: wireplumber status: active 3: pipewire-alsa type: plugin 4: pw-jack type: plugin
tools: pactl,pw-cat,pw-cli,wpctl
Network:
Device-1: Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 driver: iwlwifi v: kernel modules: wl pcie: gen: 2 speed: 5 GT/s
lanes: 1 bus-ID: 25:00.0 chip-ID: 8086:2723 class-ID: 0280
IF: wlan0 state: up mac: <filter>
Device-2: Intel I211 Gigabit Network vendor: ASRock driver: igb v: kernel pcie: gen: 1
speed: 2.5 GT/s lanes: 1 port: e000 bus-ID: 26:00.0 chip-ID: 8086:1539 class-ID: 0200
IF: eth0 state: down mac: <filter>
Bluetooth:
Device-1: Intel AX200 Bluetooth type: USB driver: btusb v: 0.8 bus-ID: 5-2:2 chip-ID: 8087:0029
class-ID: e001
Report: hciconfig ID: hci0 rfk-id: 1 state: up address: <filter> bt-v: 3.0 lmp-v: 5.2
sub-v: 200f hci-v: 5.2 rev: 200f
Info: acl-mtu: 1021:4 sco-mtu: 96:6 link-policy: rswitch sniff link-mode: peripheral accept
service-classes: rendering, capturing, audio, telephony
Drives:
Local Storage: total: 465.76 GiB used: 117.45 GiB (25.2%)
SMART Message: Unable to run smartctl. Root privileges required.
ID-1: /dev/nvme0n1 maj-min: 259:0 vendor: Sabrent model: Rocket 4.0 500GB size: 465.76 GiB
block-size: physical: 512 B logical: 512 B speed: 63.2 Gb/s lanes: 4 type: SSD serial: <filter>
rev: RKT401.3 temp: 66.8 C scheme: GPT
Partition:
ID-1: / raw-size: 52.08 GiB size: 50.96 GiB (97.85%) used: 14.6 GiB (28.7%) fs: ext4
dev: /dev/nvme0n1p2 maj-min: 259:2
ID-2: /home raw-size: 283.92 GiB size: 278.41 GiB (98.06%) used: 102.84 GiB (36.9%) fs: ext4
dev: /dev/nvme0n1p4 maj-min: 259:4
Swap:
Kernel: swappiness: 15 (default 60) cache-pressure: 100 (default)
ID-1: swap-1 type: partition size: 91.46 GiB used: 0 KiB (0.0%) priority: -2
dev: /dev/nvme0n1p3 maj-min: 259:3
Sensors:
System Temperatures: cpu: 76.4 C mobo: N/A gpu: radeon temp: 61.0 C
Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A
Repos:
Packages: 2837 pm: dpkg pkgs: 2833 libs: 1521 tools: apt,apt-get,aptitude,nala,synaptic pm: rpm
pkgs: 0 pm: flatpak pkgs: 4
No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list
Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian-stable-updates.list
1: deb http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm-updates main contrib non-free non-free-firmware
Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian.list
1: deb http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm main contrib non-free non-free-firmware
2: deb http://security.debian.org/debian-security bookworm-security main contrib non-free non-free-firmware
Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome.list
1: deb [arch=amd64] https://dl.google.com/linux/chrome/deb/ stable main
Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mx.list
1: deb http://ftp.osuosl.org/pub/mxlinux/mx/repo/ bookworm main non-free
Info:
Processes: 377 Uptime: 2h 0m wakeups: 14 Memory: 62.72 GiB used: 6.11 GiB (9.7%) Init: SysVinit
v: 3.06 runlevel: 5 default: graphical tool: systemctl Compilers: gcc: 12.2.0 alt: 12
Client: shell wrapper v: 5.2.15-release inxi: 3.3.26
Boot Mode: BIOS (legacy, CSM, MBR)
Re: My Screen keeps blanking out!
You have an overheating problem:
What you are describing is a common symptom of a bios shutting down services in order to protect the CPU. Since this is a desktop, in addition to cleaning the heat sink and fan, and replacing the thermal paste, you should consider adding at least one cooling fan (two would be better).
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Sensors:
System Temperatures: cpu: 76.4 C mobo: N/A gpu: radeon temp: 61.0 C
Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A
HP 15; ryzen 3 5300U APU; 500 Gb SSD; 8GB ram
HP 17; ryzen 3 3200; 500 GB SSD; 12 GB ram
Idea Center 3; 12 gen i5; 256 GB ssd;
In Linux, newer isn't always better. The best solution is the one that works.
HP 17; ryzen 3 3200; 500 GB SSD; 12 GB ram
Idea Center 3; 12 gen i5; 256 GB ssd;
In Linux, newer isn't always better. The best solution is the one that works.
Re: My Screen keeps blanking out!
I disagree. If the BIOS were doing what you say; it would shut down "the whole system!" I build computers! I am well aware of what the BIOS would do. So! You have demonstrated to me that you have "no idea" what you are talking about. I will no longer consider ANY answer you give on this issue!
Re: My Screen keeps blanking out!
Bring down the tone please. It would suffice to say that you have experience and disagree.woodyb12 wrote: Sun Jun 22, 2025 11:30 am I disagree. If the BIOS were doing what you say; it would shut down "the whole system!" I build computers! I am well aware of what the BIOS would do. So! You have demonstrated to me that you have "no idea" what you are talking about. I will no longer consider ANY answer you give on this issue!
*QSI = Quick System Info from menu (Copy for Forum)
*MXPI = MX Package Installer
*Please check the solved checkbox on the post that solved it.
*Linux -This is the way!
*MXPI = MX Package Installer
*Please check the solved checkbox on the post that solved it.
*Linux -This is the way!
Re: My Screen keeps blanking out!
On older rigs than yours, overheating would shut down a computer completely. But on modern machines the shutdown tends to happen in stages and the only thing that jumps out from your QSI is the high CPU temperature. When it is compared to the temp reading from my HP 17's 3rd gen Ryzen 3 which has been up for six hours this morning and under load the whole time:woodyb12 wrote: Sun Jun 22, 2025 11:30 am I disagree. If the BIOS were doing what you say; it would shut down "the whole system!" I build computers! I am well aware of what the BIOS would do. So! You have demonstrated to me that you have "no idea" what you are talking about. I will no longer consider ANY answer you give on this issue!
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Sensors:
System Temperatures: cpu: 40.9 C mobo: N/A gpu: amdgpu temp: 34.0 C
Fan Speeds (RPM): fan-1: 0 fan-2: 0
HP 15; ryzen 3 5300U APU; 500 Gb SSD; 8GB ram
HP 17; ryzen 3 3200; 500 GB SSD; 12 GB ram
Idea Center 3; 12 gen i5; 256 GB ssd;
In Linux, newer isn't always better. The best solution is the one that works.
HP 17; ryzen 3 3200; 500 GB SSD; 12 GB ram
Idea Center 3; 12 gen i5; 256 GB ssd;
In Linux, newer isn't always better. The best solution is the one that works.
Re: My Screen keeps blanking out!
I have been using computers since Tandy 1000; with 51/2" floppies, etc. I have never met a BIOS that "simply shut off a monitor: or, for that matter, a graphics card!" in order to "save itself". They always shut down the "whole system". The same way as if there were a "power outage". This problem didn't exist until I installed "upgrades" a few weeks ago. It has nothing to do with the BIOS!
I really do understand that you are probably a "volunteer"; trying to help other users. I am "grateful" for such a community! The Linux community wasn't always so accommodating! I LOVE this community! But; I am a "NO xxxxxxx" kinda person, too! So! Please forgive me if I tend to seem like a "mean spirited" individual. I am not. Thanking you in advance! I am: "A Linux user 4 ever!!!"
P.S. CPU temp: [current] 61-C= 141.8-F! I changes all the time but does not get much hotter than that.
I really do understand that you are probably a "volunteer"; trying to help other users. I am "grateful" for such a community! The Linux community wasn't always so accommodating! I LOVE this community! But; I am a "NO xxxxxxx" kinda person, too! So! Please forgive me if I tend to seem like a "mean spirited" individual. I am not. Thanking you in advance! I am: "A Linux user 4 ever!!!"
P.S. CPU temp: [current] 61-C= 141.8-F! I changes all the time but does not get much hotter than that.
Last edited by woodyb12 on Sun Jun 22, 2025 12:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: My Screen keeps blanking out!
@woodyb12 You mentioned the screen blanks every five minutes... if it is regular like this, then give some of the following a try:
- Remove screen saver entirely for testing
- Turn power saving on. exit the app, then go back in and turn it off again. (We have seen some oddities in older settings and newer power manager.)
Does this happen on a cold machine or just when it has been on for a while?
- Remove screen saver entirely for testing
- Turn power saving on. exit the app, then go back in and turn it off again. (We have seen some oddities in older settings and newer power manager.)
Does this happen on a cold machine or just when it has been on for a while?
*QSI = Quick System Info from menu (Copy for Forum)
*MXPI = MX Package Installer
*Please check the solved checkbox on the post that solved it.
*Linux -This is the way!
*MXPI = MX Package Installer
*Please check the solved checkbox on the post that solved it.
*Linux -This is the way!
Re: My Screen keeps blanking out!
It happens "cold or hot". And as soon as I touch the mouse, or, hit a key on the keyboard it comes back on.