Fixing AMDGPU and AMDGPU-DKMS Installation Issues

When facing issues with installing amdgpu and amdgpu-dkms packages on your system, there are several steps you can follow to diagnose and fix the problem. These packages are essential for enabling and managing AMD GPU drivers on Linux systems.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix Installation Issues:

1. Verify System Compatibility:

• Ensure your hardware and Linux distribution version are compatible with the amdgpu drivers. Check the AMD official driver page for supported GPUs and Linux distributions.

2. Update Your System:

• Ensure your system’s packages and kernel are up to date. Run:
  bash sudo apt update sudo apt upgrade sudo apt dist-upgrade sudo reboot

3. Remove Conflicting Packages:

• Sometimes, other drivers or packages can conflict with amdgpu installation. Remove any existing amdgpu-pro or other conflicting GPU drivers:
  bash sudo apt remove --purge amdgpu-pro sudo apt remove --purge fglrx* sudo apt autoremove

4. Install Dependencies:

• Ensure required dependencies are installed. Install essential packages like build-essential, dkms, linux-headers, etc.:
  bash sudo apt install build-essential dkms linux-headers-$(uname -r)

5. Download the Correct Driver Package:

• Download the appropriate AMD driver package for your system from the AMD website. Ensure you download the correct package for your GPU and Linux distribution.

6. Extract and Run the Installer:

• Navigate to the directory where you downloaded the package and extract it:
  bash tar -xvf amdgpu-pro-*.tar.xz
• Navigate into the extracted directory:
  bash cd amdgpu-pro-<version>
• Run the installer script. For amdgpu open-source driver:
  bash sudo ./amdgpu-install -y
• For amdgpu-pro proprietary driver:
  bash sudo ./amdgpu-pro-install -y

7. Install DKMS Module:

• Ensure the amdgpu-dkms module is properly installed:
  bash sudo apt install amdgpu-dkms
• If you encounter issues with DKMS, try rebuilding it manually:
  bash sudo dkms install -m amdgpu -v <version>

8. Check for Kernel Compatibility:

• Ensure your kernel version is compatible with the amdgpu driver. Sometimes, newer kernels might not be supported immediately. You can check for supported kernels on AMD’s release notes or documentation.
• If necessary, downgrade or upgrade your kernel to a compatible version:
  bash sudo apt install linux-image-<version> sudo reboot

9. Review Installation Logs:

• Check the logs for detailed error messages which can guide you in diagnosing specific problems:
  bash cat /var/log/amdgpu-install.log cat /var/log/dkms/amdgpu/<version>/make.log

10. Update GRUB and Initramfs:

• Update GRUB and the initramfs to ensure all changes are applied properly:

sudo update-grub sudo update-initramfs -u

11. Reboot the System:

• After the installation and any required configuration changes, reboot your system to apply the new driver:

sudo reboot

12. Verify Driver Installation:

• After rebooting, check if the amdgpu driver is loaded correctly:

lsmod | grep amdgpu

• Verify the GPU is recognized and working:

lspci -k | grep -EA3 'VGA|3D|Display'

13. Troubleshoot Common Issues:

• Missing Dependencies: Install any missing dependencies that the installation process may require.
• DKMS Errors: Ensure the dkms module is not failing by reviewing logs and reinstalling the kernel headers.
• Kernel Compatibility: Check if your kernel version matches the supported versions for the AMD driver.

Additional Tips:

• Check AMD’s Documentation: Always refer to AMD’s official installation guide and release notes for any specific instructions or known issues with the driver version you are installing.
• Community Forums: Linux and AMD community forums can be valuable resources for troubleshooting uncommon issues.
• Backup and Rollback: Consider creating a system backup or restore point before making significant changes, allowing you to rollback if something goes wrong.

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully install the amdgpu and amdgpu-dkms packages and ensure your AMD GPU is fully functional on your Linux system.