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Mattscreative edited this page Dec 5, 2025 · 2 revisions

Linux Display Server Configuration Guide

Complete beginner-friendly guide to display servers on Linux, covering Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other distributions including X11 vs Wayland comparison, switching between them, desktop environment support, and troubleshooting.

Table of Contents

  1. Understanding Display Servers
  2. X11 Display Server
  3. Wayland Display Server
  4. X11 vs Wayland Comparison
  5. Switching Between X11 and Wayland
  6. Desktop Environment Support
  7. Troubleshooting

Understanding Display Servers

What is a Display Server?

Display server is software that manages graphical output and input on Linux.

What it does:

  • Manages windows: Controls window placement, sizing, stacking
  • Handles input: Processes mouse and keyboard input
  • Renders graphics: Displays applications on screen
  • Manages displays: Handles multiple monitors
  • Security: Controls application access to display

Why it's needed:

  • Applications need display: Programs need to show windows
  • Input handling: Mouse/keyboard need to work
  • Window management: Multiple windows need management
  • Security: Prevents unauthorized screen access

Display Server Architecture

How it works:

Applications → Display Server → Graphics Driver → Monitor

Two main display servers:

  • X11: Traditional display server (older)
  • Wayland: Modern display server (newer)

X11 Display Server

What is X11?

X11 (also called X Window System or X) is the traditional display server for Linux.

Key features:

  • Network transparency: Can display applications over network
  • Mature: Very stable, well-tested
  • Compatible: Works with almost everything
  • Flexible: Highly configurable

Install X11

Install Xorg:

# Arch/CachyOS
sudo pacman -S xorg xorg-server

# Install drivers
sudo pacman -S xf86-video-intel  # Intel
sudo pacman -S xf86-video-amdgpu  # AMD
sudo pacman -S nvidia  # NVIDIA

Debian/Ubuntu:

sudo apt install xorg

Fedora:

sudo dnf install @xorg-x11-drivers

X11 Configuration

Create config:

# Generate config
sudo Xorg :0 -configure

# Or create manually
sudo vim /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Wayland Display Server

What is Wayland?

Wayland is a modern display server protocol.

Key features:

  • Modern: Designed for modern systems
  • Security: Better security model
  • Performance: Improved performance
  • Simplicity: Simpler architecture

Install Wayland

Install compositor:

# GNOME (uses Wayland)
sudo pacman -S gnome

# KDE (uses Wayland)
sudo pacman -S plasma-wayland-session

# Sway
sudo pacman -S sway

# Hyprland
yay -S hyprland

X11 vs Wayland Comparison

X11 Advantages

X11 benefits:

  • Mature: Very stable, well-tested
  • Compatible: Works with almost everything
  • Network: Network transparency
  • Flexible: Highly configurable

Wayland Advantages

Wayland benefits:

  • Security: Better security model
  • Performance: Improved performance
  • Modern: Designed for modern systems
  • Simplicity: Simpler architecture

Which to Use?

Use X11 if:

  • You need maximum compatibility
  • You use older applications
  • You need network transparency
  • You prefer stability

Use Wayland if:

  • You want better security
  • You want better performance
  • You use modern applications
  • You prefer modern architecture

Switching Between X11 and Wayland

GNOME

Switch at login:

  1. Log out
  2. Click username on login screen
  3. Select session: GNOME (X11) or GNOME (Wayland)
  4. Log in

KDE

Switch at login:

  1. Log out
  2. Click session menu
  3. Select: Plasma (X11) or Plasma (Wayland)
  4. Log in

Check Current Server

Check which server:

# Check display server
echo $XDG_SESSION_TYPE

# Should show: x11 or wayland

Desktop Environment Support

GNOME

GNOME supports both:

  • Wayland: Default on modern GNOME
  • X11: Available as fallback

KDE Plasma

KDE supports both:

  • Wayland: Available, improving
  • X11: Default, very stable

XFCE

XFCE supports:

  • X11: Primary support
  • Wayland: Limited support

Window Managers

X11 window managers:

  • i3, Awesome, bspwm, Openbox

Wayland compositors:

  • Sway, Hyprland, Wayfire, Niri

Troubleshooting

Display Not Working

Check logs:

# X11 logs
cat ~/.local/share/xorg/Xorg.0.log

# Wayland logs
journalctl -u wayland-session

Application Not Working

Run on X11:

# Force X11
GDK_BACKEND=x11 application

Run on Wayland:

# Force Wayland
GDK_BACKEND=wayland application

Summary

This guide covered display server configuration for Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other distributions, including X11, Wayland, switching between them, and desktop environment support.

Next Steps

This guide covers Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other Linux distributions. For distribution-specific details, refer to your distribution's documentation.

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