ALVR still doesn't work at all on Linux/Nvidia

[peq42]

Description

Just like last time I reported, ALVR simply doesn't work at all for Linux users with NVidia cards. And this isn't a NVidia or Linux issue, as WiVRn works perfectly(just doesn't connect to slimevr, due to not using steamvr)

General Troubleshooting

-Have a NVidia GPU -Have Linux installed(in my case, Linux mint 22.1, kernel 6.14, drivers 575) -Screen goes black upon connection, steamvr restarts repeatedly

Environment

Linux mint 22.1, Kernel 6.14, Nvidia driver 575

Hardware

CPU: Ryzen 7 7800x3D GPU: RTX 4070 ti GPU Driver Version: 575 Audio: irrelevant

Installation

ALVR Version: 20.14.1

ALVR Settings File: Literally default settings

SteamVR Version: Latest, .deb

Install Type:

• [ ] Portable (zip)

[FaterSteve]

I am able to play with ALVR version 20.14.1 on Linux Mint 22.1 Cinnamon with Linux Kernel 6.8.0-78-generic on an RTX 3090 driver version 575.64.03-0ubuntu0.24.04.1.. Have you tried the Linux Troubleshooting guide? https://github.com/alvr-org/ALVR/wiki/Linux-Troubleshooting the top of the page discusses the fix for black screen.

Likely duplicate of #2242

[dyargici]

I'm a Linux user with an Nvidia card and it's been working fine for me since I started using it about a year ago. :/

[Leha44581]

Can confirm, throws a CUDA error GTX 1070, Latest Proprietary drivers, NixOS

[AndKe]

I can confirm that it worked a year ago, and still works fine except of some sub-optimal re-projection related stuff I see. Ubuntu 24.04 / Nvidia 4070 Ti/Super Driver 570.169-open

[Ciraeon]

I'm using a laptop with similar config on Mint, here's a fix that worked for me and isn't in the wiki yet.

ALVR is trying to unblock the driver, but there is no config in ALVR itself to tell it where steam is installed. It's trying to change the 'stock' .vrsettings file. So.

1. Open your file manager, go to ~/.local/share/
2. Create a "Steam" folder, go into it and create a "config" folder
3. go to ~/.steam/debian-installation/config (or wherever the same folder is for your Steam install) and select steamvr.vrsettings. Hit 'edit' in your alt menu, hit "Make Link".
4. Copy this link file to the ~/.local/share/Steam/config/ folder we created. Trim off the "Link to" portion of the file name.

ALVR can now see the .vrvsettings it wants, and it will edit the file that we actually have. SteamVR should now work with the properties additions in the "nvidia gpu" part of the Hybrid GPU section of the Linux Troubleshooting. Else, the debug log should give you the two preferences additions you need to make to SteamVR and your games.

Happy gaming!

[github-actions[bot]]

This issue is stale because it has been open 30 days with no activity. Remove stale label or comment or this will be closed in 5 days.

[elkay]

I am experiencing this issue on Ubuntu 24.04 with RTX 6000 and latest open Nvidia 580 driver. Tried with both a Quest 3 and Samsung XR headset on latest nightly build. Black screen for both headsets. I have the appropriate launch command already set in SteamVR. Not sure what to do since there's no errors.

[elkay]

I was able to fix the black screen issue by starting Steam from a terminal using the following:

__NV_PRIME_RENDER_OFFLOAD=1 __GLX_VENDOR_LIBRARY_NAME=nvidia steam

[peq42]

it really SHOULDN'T be required of users to add multiple different flags to applications to make ALVR work

[Remi4001]

IMHO not something wrong with ALVR itself, multi gpu on Linux is just not a very polished experience. Personally I just disabled my iGPU to avoid having to deal with that.

[elkay]

IMHO not something wrong with ALVR itself, multi gpu on Linux is just not a very polished experience. Personally I just disabled my iGPU to avoid having to deal with that.

I don't have a multi-GPU system where I'm running this. I have my iGPU fully disabled in the BIOS. Neither Windows nor Linux see the iGPU. Still needed both of those flags to get rid of the black screen issue for me with Nvidia on Ubuntu 24.04 (both X11 and Wayland).

[Remi4001]

I don't have a multi-GPU system where I'm running this. I have my iGPU fully disabled in the BIOS. Neither Windows nor Linux see the iGPU. Still needed both of those flags to get rid of the black screen issue for me with Nvidia on Ubuntu 24.04 (both X11 and Wayland).

Sorry then, I assumed since these variables seem specifically made to offload render to a secondary GPU (from https://download.nvidia.com/XFree86/Linux-x86_64/580.105.08/README/primerenderoffload.html). Maybe just another quirk of nividia+linux.