How To Install AMD Radeon Driver on Manjaro

Manjaro Linux, known for its user-friendly approach and rolling release model, offers excellent support for AMD graphics hardware through its dedicated driver management system. Getting your AMD Radeon GPU properly configured ensures optimal performance for gaming, content creation, and everyday computing tasks. This comprehensive guide walks you through every aspect of installing and configuring AMD Radeon drivers on Manjaro, from understanding the available options to troubleshooting common issues.

Table of Contents

Understanding Manjaro’s Driver Management System

Manjaro takes a unique approach to hardware driver management compared to other Linux distributions. At its core is the Manjaro Hardware Detection (MHWD) utility, a powerful tool designed to simplify driver installation and management.

MHWD vs. Traditional Driver Management

Unlike other distributions that might require manual configuration of Xorg files or direct kernel module manipulation, Manjaro’s MHWD abstracts this complexity. The system automatically detects hardware during installation and recommends appropriate drivers. This detection happens at boot time when using the GUI installer, with driver selection depending on whether you chose free or non-free drivers during the initial boot process.

Open-Source vs. Proprietary Drivers

Manjaro supports both open-source and proprietary drivers for AMD graphics cards:

Open-source drivers: Developed by the Linux community, these drivers offer excellent compatibility, frequent updates, and solid performance for most users.
Proprietary drivers: Developed by AMD, these may provide additional features for specialized workloads but aren’t typically necessary for most users.

The Mesa graphics stack forms the foundation of 3D graphics support in Linux, providing implementation of OpenGL, Vulkan, and other graphics APIs. For AMD cards, Mesa works with the kernel-level AMDGPU driver to provide complete graphics functionality.

AMD Graphics Driver Options in Manjaro

Manjaro provides several driver options for AMD Radeon graphics cards, each with specific use cases and compatibility considerations.

Open-Source Driver Options

Mesa with AMDGPU driver: The standard choice for modern AMD cards (GCN architecture and newer), offering excellent performance and compatibility.
Mesa with Radeon driver: Used for legacy AMD cards, primarily pre-GCN architecture.
Video-linux: A basic driver option that ensures compatibility across different hardware configurations.

Proprietary Driver Options

AMDGPU-PRO: AMD’s proprietary solution that builds on the open-source AMDGPU kernel driver. This driver is generally unnecessary for most users and can sometimes perform worse than the open-source alternatives.
Legacy Catalyst/fglrx: These are deprecated and no longer supported on modern Linux distributions.

Most users should stick with the default open-source Mesa drivers with AMDGPU support, as Manjaro ships with up-to-date versions that include performance enhancements like the ACO shader compiler. The proprietary AMDGPU-PRO drivers are typically only needed for specific professional applications that require certified OpenCL support.

Prerequisites for Driver Installation

Before proceeding with driver installation, several preparation steps will ensure a smooth process:

Identifying Your AMD Graphics Hardware

To identify your AMD GPU model, open a terminal and use:

lspci | grep -E "VGA|3D|Display"

Or for a more comprehensive overview:

inxi -G

Checking Current Driver Status

Verify your current driver configuration with:

mhwd -li

This will show currently installed drivers. For detailed graphics information:

glxinfo | grep "OpenGL renderer"

System Updates

Always ensure your system is fully updated before changing drivers:

sudo pacman -Syu

Creating System Backups

Before making significant system changes, create a backup of your critical data and consider taking a system snapshot if using a tool like Timeshift.

Understanding Display Configuration

If you’re using multiple monitors or have special display requirements, note your current configuration to replicate it after driver installation.

Method 1: Using Manjaro Settings Manager

The Manjaro Settings Manager provides a beginner-friendly graphical interface for driver installation.

Step-by-Step Installation

Open Manjaro Settings Manager from your application menu or by running manjaro-settings-manager.
Navigate to the “Hardware Configuration” section.
You’ll see a list of available drivers for your system, including those for your AMD graphics card.
AMD drivers will be prefixed with “video-” in their names (e.g., “video-linux”, “video-amdgpu”).
Select the appropriate driver for your AMD GPU.
Click “Apply” to install the selected driver.
Reboot your system when prompted.

Common GUI Installation Errors

If you encounter errors during installation through the GUI:

Check the installation logs by clicking on the “Details” button.
Ensure your system is fully updated.
Try the alternative command-line method if persistent errors occur.

Verifying Installation

After rebooting, verify successful installation through the Settings Manager by returning to the Hardware Configuration section and checking that your chosen driver is marked as installed.

Method 2: Installing Drivers via MHWD Command Line

The command line offers more control and can sometimes resolve issues that occur with the GUI method.

Advantages of Command-Line Installation

Command-line installation provides detailed output, offering better troubleshooting information if something goes wrong. It also allows for more specific driver configurations and can be faster than the GUI method.

Listing Available Drivers

To see all available drivers:

mhwd -l

For a more detailed list:

mhwd -l -d

To show only PCI (including graphics) drivers:

mhwd -l -d --pci

Automatic Driver Installation

For automated installation of the best open-source driver for your AMD GPU:

sudo mhwd -a pci free 0300

This command automatically detects your graphics hardware and installs the most appropriate free driver.

Manual Driver Installation

To install a specific driver (e.g., video-linux):

sudo mhwd -i pci video-linux

Force Reinstalling Drivers

If you need to reinstall or update a driver:

sudo mhwd -f -i pci [driver-name]

Verifying Installation with Command Line Tools

After installation, verify with:

mhwd -li
glxinfo | grep "OpenGL renderer"

The second command should show your AMD GPU and the Mesa driver in use.

Method 3: Manual AMD Proprietary Driver Installation

In some specific cases, you might need to manually install AMD’s proprietary drivers.

When to Consider Manual Installation

Consider manual installation if:

You need certified OpenCL support for professional applications.
You’re experiencing specific issues with the open-source drivers that are resolved in the proprietary stack.
You require features only available in the proprietary drivers.

However, be aware that the AMDGPU-PRO drivers generally perform worse for gaming and everyday use compared to the open-source alternatives.

Installation Process for AMDGPU-PRO

Visit AMD’s official driver download page and select your GPU model.
Download the appropriate Linux driver package (.tar.xz format).
Extract the package:
```
tar -xf amdgpu-pro-XX.XX-XXXXX.tar.xz
```
Navigate to the extracted directory and run the installation script:
```
cd amdgpu-pro-XX.XX-XXXXX
./amdgpu-pro-install -y
```

Adding OpenCL Support

If you only need OpenCL support while keeping the open-source graphics drivers, you can install just the OpenCL component from the AUR:

yay -S opencl-amd

This provides professional OpenCL capabilities without replacing the better-performing open-source graphics drivers.

Switching Between Driver Types

Sometimes you may need to switch between different driver configurations.

Safe Removal of Current Drivers

To remove a currently installed driver:

sudo mhwd -r pci [driver-name]

Transitioning Between Driver Types

When switching between open-source and proprietary drivers:

Remove the current driver first.
Install the new driver.
Reboot the system.

Always ensure you have a fallback option if something goes wrong.

Recovery Options

If your system fails to boot after a driver change:

Boot using the fallback entry in the boot menu.
Open a terminal and remove the problematic driver.
Reinstall a known working driver.
Alternatively, boot with the “Boot with open source drivers” option in the Manjaro boot menu to access a functioning desktop environment.

Post-Installation Configuration

After installing drivers, several configuration steps can optimize your experience.

Verifying Driver Functionality

Check if your driver is working correctly:

glxinfo | grep "OpenGL renderer"

This should display your AMD GPU model and the driver in use (e.g., “AMD RADEON RX 580 (POLARIS10, DRM 3.40.0, 5.15.0-1-MANJARO, LLVM 13.0.0) Mesa 21.3.3”).

Setting Up Multiple Monitors

Configure multi-monitor setups using your desktop environment’s display settings:

In XFCE: Settings → Display
In KDE: System Settings → Display and Monitor
In GNOME: Settings → Displays

Display Resolution and Refresh Rate

Set optimal resolution and refresh rates through your desktop environment’s display settings. For more advanced configurations, you can use the xrandr command-line tool.

Managing GPU Power Settings

For power management on laptops or to reduce energy consumption:

echo "auto" | sudo tee /sys/class/drm/card0/device/power_dpm_force_performance_level

This sets an adaptive power management profile for your AMD GPU.

Performance Optimization for Gaming

AMD GPUs on Manjaro can be optimized for gaming performance.

Enabling ACO Shader Compiler

Recent versions of Manjaro enable the ACO shader compiler by default, which significantly improves gaming performance. To verify it’s enabled:

glxinfo | grep "Mesa"

If needed, you can explicitly enable it by adding this to your game launch options in Steam:

RADV_PERFTEST=aco %command%

Vulkan Support Configuration

Ensure Vulkan support is properly installed:

sudo pacman -S vulkan-radeon lib32-vulkan-radeon

Gaming-Specific Optimizations

For Steam games, consider these optimizations:

Enable Steam’s Proton Advanced Settings:
- In Steam, go to Settings → Steam Play
- Check “Enable Steam Play for all other titles”
- Select the latest Proton version
For specific games that benefit from specific Proton versions, consider using Proton-GE:
```
yay -S proton-ge-custom
```

Benchmarking Tools

Measure your system’s performance with:

sudo pacman -S glmark2 gputest

Run benchmarks to compare performance between different driver configurations.

Troubleshooting Common AMD Driver Issues

Several common issues may occur with AMD graphics drivers on Manjaro.

Resolving Black Screen After Driver Installation

If you encounter a black screen after installation:

Boot into a TTY console with Ctrl+Alt+F2.
Remove the problematic driver:
```
sudo mhwd -r pci [driver-name]
```
Reinstall a known working driver.

Fixing HDMI/DisplayPort Connection Problems

If external displays aren’t working:

Check the physical connection.
Test different ports on your GPU.
Try switching to a virtual terminal (Ctrl+Alt+F2) and back (Ctrl+Alt+F1), which can sometimes trigger display detection.
Use xrandr to manually detect and enable outputs.

Addressing Screen Tearing and VSync Issues

To fix screen tearing:

For XFCE: Enable compositor settings with VSync.
For KDE: Enable “Force full composition pipeline” in display settings.
For GNOME: The compositor should handle this automatically.

Alternatively, create a file at /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-amdgpu.conf with:

Section "Device"
    Identifier "AMD"
    Driver "amdgpu"
    Option "TearFree" "true"
EndSection

Dealing with Graphics Artifacts and Crashes

If you experience visual artifacts or crashes:

Try a different kernel version:
```
sudo mhwd-kernel -i linux515
```
Check for overheating issues with:
```
sensors
```
Consider updating your firmware if available.

Advanced Features and Configuration

AMD GPUs on Manjaro support several advanced features.

Setting Up FreeSync/Adaptive Sync

To enable FreeSync on supported displays:

Create or edit /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-amdgpu.conf:

Section "Device"
    Identifier "AMD"
    Driver "amdgpu"
    Option "VariableRefresh" "true"
EndSection

For gaming, enable it in your game or in Proton by adding:
```
RADV_PERFTEST=vk_xfs %command%
```

GPU Power Management Profiles

Control power management with:

echo "profile_name" | sudo tee /sys/class/drm/card0/device/power_dpm_force_performance_level

Replace “profile_name” with “auto”, “low”, “high”, or “manual”.

Custom Kernel Parameters

For specific AMD GPU optimizations, you can add kernel parameters by editing /etc/default/grub and adding options to the GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT line.

Driver Maintenance and Updates

Keeping your drivers up-to-date ensures optimal performance and compatibility.

How Manjaro Handles Driver Updates

Manjaro updates drivers through its regular system updates. To check for updates:

sudo pacman -Syu

Safe Update Practices

Before major updates:

Create a system backup.
Read the update announcements for potential issues.
Consider waiting a few days after major updates to let others find and report issues.

When to Manually Update Drivers

Consider manual updates when:

A new AMD GPU is not fully supported by current drivers.
A specific game or application requires newer drivers.
You’re experiencing bugs fixed in newer versions.

For bleeding-edge Mesa drivers, you can use AUR packages:

yay -S mesa-git

However, development versions may introduce instability.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed AMD Radeon Driver. Thanks for using this tutorial to install the AMD Radeon Driver on Manjaro Linux system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official AMD website.

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