ValveSoftware
[TF2] [Linux] TF2 Freezes entire machine on boot sometimes
About half of the time I go to launch TF2, it freezes when loading. Specifically, after the Valve guy intro ends (or is skipped), I will see the loading screen. Briefly, my screen will flash black, and then my whole system freezes. I can move my mouse, but am unable to interact with anything. It also freezes other processes on my computer. If I'm in a discord call, for example, that program will also freeze. The only way to escape this error state is to reboot my entire machine.
I have been struggling with this ever since the x64 update was pushed.
MACHINE SPECS / LAUNCH OPTIONS
TF2 Selected Launch Option: Legacy OpenGL (But same issue persists with "Play Team Fortress 2" TF2 Advanced launch options: None OS: Ubuntu 22.04.3 LTS x86_64 Host: B460MDS3HV2 -CF Kernel: 6.8.0-40-generic Resolution: 2560x1440, 1920x1080 DE: GNOME 42.9 WM: Mutter CPU: Intel i7-10700K (16) @ 5.100GHz GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Lite NVIDIA Driver Version: 555.42.02
Note: In the video, you can see I am running a double monitor setup. This issue also occurs when running a single monitor setup.
Hello @JonJust, in general, no OpenGL application should be capable of bringing down the whole system. This reads like a video driver or kernel issue.
Nothing else locks my system out like this. Its 100% a Team Fortress 2 issue. I have gone as far as completely reinstalling Ubuntu and it still happens. The only thing I have found to work around the bug is to use the argument "windowed", and later switch to fullscreen after the game has been booted, which is a pain in the rear.
OS: Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS x86_64
I had the same issue, found a workaround + discovered why it happens.
Workaround / Fix
Launch with Advanced launch options: -sw -noborder Opens the game in windowless fullscreen.
Try it and let us if it worked for you!
- Works for both Legacy OpenGL and Play Team Fortress 2
Testing
Following my testing the issue is with how tf2 fullscreens. Testing with the issue: https://youtu.be/7tUIEIY_K2E Testing with my workaround: https://youtu.be/7tUIEIY_K2E
Findings
- Its not a kernel / Driver issue (see How i found out section )
- Its a graphical a issue on how tf2 full screens
- it could be tf2/source1 issue with the window manager
- or with GNOME 42.9 or Mutter (Window Manager) since that maches witth JonJust's specs and mine
How i found out
I had the exact same symptoms as @JonJust, so test @kisak-valve 's claim on whether it was kernel issue or Graphics issue, I put a timer from youtube and ran it in the BG while the game loaded and the timer didnt stop. So it just looked and felt like the PC froze but it didn't. After figuring this out I tried to open tf2 in windowed mode, and boom no more issues. It works like a charm now.
MACHINE SPECS
TF2 Selected Launch Option: "Play Team Fortress 2" OS: Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS x86_64 Host: Nitro AN515-53 V1.28 Kernel: 6.9.3-76060903-generic Resolution: 1920x1080 DE: GNOME 42.9 WM: Mutter CPU: Intel i5-8300H (8) @ 4.000GHz GPU: Intel CoffeeLake-H GT2 [UHD Grap GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobil
Replying to https://github.com/ValveSoftware/Source-1-Games/issues/6370#issuecomment-2415966630
Don't use -sw, as that uses software rendering, instead use -windowed -noborder
Adding -force-opengl to launch options even when Legacy OpenGL was already selected fixed the full screen issues for me.
I thought the this issue was fully fixed, but it just happened to me again, forcing me to do a hard shutdown.
Replying to https://github.com/ValveSoftware/Source-1-Games/issues/6370#issuecomment-2415966630
Can confirm this works!
Running tf2 under Wayland instead of X11 fixes the issue. Works with both OpenGL and Vulkan renderers. There is no need to force windowed mode.
Same thing. I tested and it freeze everything on almost every distro. And also there's possibility that monitor can stop working (maybe because of driver issues)
