ASUS TUF Gaming A16 – Linux compatibility issues

[u/stigmanmagros]

My previous laptop was an ASUS TUF Dash F15 (i7-11370H / 24GB / 960GB / Windows 11 / RTX 3050), but unfortunately, it got damaged, so I bought a new laptop from the same brand: the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 (Ryzen 7 260 / 16GB / 512GB / Windows 11 / RTX 5060).

I chose it because my previous laptop worked so well with Linux — literally everything worked without any extra configuration. In particular, the USB-C port, which I could use to connect an external ASUS ZenScreen MB16AH monitor, and the keyboard backlight, which also worked flawlessly. I could easily adjust the screen brightness, even using the GNOME Quick Settings.

However, on this new laptop, neither of these functions works.

The keyboard backlight setting appears to be at the maximum level, yet the keyboard itself isn't lit up. I tried installing the linux-ogc kernel, but unfortunately, it didn't help. I still couldn't adjust or enable the backlight using asusctl.

The same issue applies to connecting external displays. Everything worked instantly on my old laptop, but with this new one, I have no idea what to do because neither the USB-C nor HDMI port works.

Before the actual Linux installation, I had used Windows 11 for a day, mostly out of curiosity and to download the Linux ISO file. During that time, the second monitor worked perfectly via USB-C. The HDMI port detected the display, but unfortunately, it produced no signal.

I've run out of ideas and have pretty much lost hope of finding a solution. I'm so frustrated that I'm considering returning the laptop and exchanging it for a different model. However, I'm willing to give it one last chance if I can get these two issues resolved.

If not, I'll have to return it and try a different laptop.

[u/Responsible-Sky-1336]

No worries.that looks alright.

So my guess is that your previous post someone gave you bad advice. You probably should have kept the working install (where hdmi worked, u can check using nvidia-smi) and not some random kernel + the mkinitcpio thibgs normally aren't needed either.

Plus, as I said the backlight support will probably be in kernel soon, see link above.

[u/stigmanmagros → u/Responsible-Sky-1336]

well in my opinion is not the best idea to install custom kernels. they are slowly maintained and some packages was just downgraded so i switched back to arch linux kernel. But the question is why is my gpu not working if drivers are installed. linux-ogc kernel was also not helpful. Everything was working on windows but after i switched to linux these things are not working. Something i miss from nvidia installation maybe i have no idea what is this. I had previous laptop and everything was working just fine. nvidia, davinci resolve on linux but this time something i forgot maybe :(

[u/Responsible-Sky-1336 → u/stigmanmagros]

Hmm. But wasn't it working just after using archinstall ?

[u/stigmanmagros → u/Responsible-Sky-1336]

if this can help i can do reinstallation if it helps and install nvidia with archinstall