Arch Linux: AMD GPU Single GPU Pass-Through Results in Black Screen after VM Stop

Arch Linux: AMD GPU Single GPU Pass-Through Results - Black Screen VM Stop

In this article, we will discuss the issue of a black screen appearing when stopping a virtual machine (VM) after setting up single GPU pass-through on an Arch Linux host. The focus will be on understanding the key concepts, subtopics, and troubleshooting steps to resolve this problem.

Introduction

Single GPU pass-through is a method of dedicating a physical GPU to a virtual machine, allowing for better performance and graphics capabilities compared to using virtualized graphics. However, it can sometimes lead to issues, such as a black screen when stopping the VM.

Prerequisites

Before we dive into the problem, let's ensure that you have successfully set up single GPU pass-through on your Arch Linux host. This involves:

• Identifying the GPU to be passed through
• Creating an IOMMU group for the GPU
• Modifying the kernel command line to enable IOMMU
• Configuring the virtual machine to use the dedicated GPU

The Problem: Black Screen After Stopping VM

After successfully setting up single GPU pass-through on your Arch Linux host, you may encounter a black screen when stopping the VM. This issue is specific to Arch Linux and is not a common problem on other Linux distributions.

Troubleshooting Steps

To resolve the black screen issue, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Check the VM configuration: Ensure that the VM is configured correctly to use the dedicated GPU. This includes setting the correct PCI device, enabling 3D acceleration, and disabling VNC or SPICE.

2. Update the host and guest operating systems: Make sure that both the Arch Linux host and the Windows 11 VM are up-to-date. This can help resolve compatibility issues and bugs.

3. Check for GPU driver issues: Ensure that the correct GPU drivers are installed on the Windows 11 VM. You may need to install the latest drivers from the GPU manufacturer's website.

4. Test with a different VM: To isolate the issue, try using a different VM, such as a Linux distribution, to see if the black screen issue persists. This can help determine if the problem is specific to Windows 11 or if it is a more general issue with single GPU pass-through on Arch Linux.

5. Check logs: Analyze the logs from the Arch Linux host and the Windows 11 VM to identify any error messages or warnings that may indicate the cause of the black screen issue.

Code Block Example: VM Configuration

Here is an example of a properly formatted VM configuration file, using the libvirt XML format: