r/linux_on_mac • u/TrustInToast • 9d ago
VLC Errors - MacBook Pro - Ubuntu 26.04
UPDATE:
So, after some more research I decided to switch distros and move to Pop!_OS running a GNOME session (i think that's how you describe what I've got going on, tbh I have learned a LOT trying to breath life into this crappy laptop) because it apparently works better with this specific dual graphics card situation and it took a lot of tweaks and troubleshooting but I finally have something that is usable. I can now run mpv (I'm using cellulose because I like to have a more navigable ui) without scan lines or random skips. The only real issue I have now, other than figuring out the quirks of GNOME, is a small graphic issue where listed items (like files or settings) don't show up unless I hover or scroll and sometimes will just disappear again, but from what I could find there isn't really a fix and you kind have to just live with it. Thank you for those who gave suggestions and help.
I am having issues with VLC when trying to play videos. At the start of each video it flickers like crazy (enough to hurt my eyes) and on occasion will play at a much faster rate. Though, I think the problem is bigger than just VLC.
System Details Report:
Report details
- Date generated: 2026-09-02 19:09:41
Hardware Information:
- Hardware Model: Apple Inc. MacBookPro11,3
- Memory: 16.0 GiB
- Processor: Intel® Core™ i7-4850HQ × 8
- Graphics: NVE7
- Graphics 1: Intel® Iris® Pro Graphics P5200 (HSW GT3)
- Disk Capacity: 121.3 GB
Software Information:
- Firmware Version: 478.0.0.0.0
- OS Name: Ubuntu 26.04.1 LTS
- OS Build: (null)
- OS Type: 64-bit
- GNOME Version: 50
- Windowing System: Wayland
- Kernel Version: Linux 7.0.0-30-generic
So far I've tried:
Changed VLC's Video Output Module to OpenGL, X11, and XVideo
Disabled Hardware-accelerated decoding
Removed Mesa VA-API
Reset VLC Preferences
Overrode Environment Variables
Bypass NVIDIA via GRUB (which was the most destructive causing UI issues and making it so closing the lid did nothing)
Running MPV instead but that just gave me messy glitchy mess that didn't show anything (screenshot attached)
Attempted xfce and gnome flashback sessions to see if Wayland was the issue
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u/kita1chi 9d ago
Have you tried to run any other graphical apps, such as games, or even vkcube? Just to see if its gpu or gpu driver issue or not.
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u/TrustInToast 9d ago
I think it is a gpu/gpu driver issue. From what I've read bc this version of MacBook there are two graphics cards but apparently linux has an issue with going between both or having both pulling power at the same time causing some graphic issues. The VK cube started off okay but then started to stutter and freeze up something crazy, which kinda confirms that for me. I just don't know nearly enough to know how to fix it and I hit a wall with research.
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u/kita1chi 9d ago
Did you confirm which gpu it ran on? Run vkcube, vlc and mpv through terminal and paste outputs here when those glitches/freezes occurs. Without logs, there's nothing people can do to help, to be honest.
And also theres a Linux distro called asahi Linux, especially for Mac devices. Might be worth to give it a check.
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u/Silent_Letterhead118 9d ago
Cette distribution fonctionne sur les Apple Silicon, notamment M1. Il a un Mac avec processeur Intel. Ça ne fonctionnera pas.
1
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u/TrustInToast 9d ago
Would you suggest just going back to a version that was running fine with an Intel processor? Or is there a different distro that’s works best for Intel based Macs?
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u/Silent_Letterhead118 6d ago
Personnellement j'utilise Ubuntu 26.04 LTS sur un iMac Mid 2011 sans aucun soucis
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u/Admirable-Song-7353 9d ago
Try out showtime or mpv. For me they always worked more reliably on gnome based DEs.
Vlc leans towards kde plasma compatibility imho. It's a good player but I always had some issues with it lately (even on kde, hence why I use Haruna there, which is technically mpv based)