Can not control brightness on Thinkpad P51

Bug #1747273 reported by Michael Hoff
22
This bug affects 5 people
Affects Status Importance Assigned to Milestone
linux (Ubuntu)
Confirmed
Medium
Unassigned

Bug Description

I can not modify the screen brightness in Ubuntu 17.10. Controls aside, the classes in `proc` are either not available or non-functional depending on what arguments I provide in GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT.

On a parallel installation (Ubuntu 16.04.3), brightness control works flawlessly.

System Information
------------------

$ lsb_release -rd
Description: Ubuntu 17.10
Release: 17.10

$ lspci
00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Xeon E3-1200 v6/7th Gen Core Processor Host Bridge/DRAM Registers (rev 05)
00:01.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Skylake PCIe Controller (x16) (rev 05)
00:08.0 System peripheral: Intel Corporation Skylake Gaussian Mixture Model
00:14.0 USB controller: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-H USB 3.0 xHCI Controller (rev 31)
00:14.2 Signal processing controller: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-H Thermal subsystem (rev 31)
00:15.0 Signal processing controller: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-H Serial IO I2C Controller #0 (rev 31)
00:16.0 Communication controller: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-H CSME HECI #1 (rev 31)
00:17.0 SATA controller: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-H SATA controller [AHCI mode] (rev 31)
00:1b.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-H PCI Root Port #17 (rev f1)
00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-H PCI Express Root Port #1 (rev f1)
00:1c.2 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-H PCI Express Root Port #3 (rev f1)
00:1c.4 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-H PCI Express Root Port #5 (rev f1)
00:1d.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-H PCI Express Root Port #9 (rev f1)
00:1d.4 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-H PCI Express Root Port #13 (rev f1)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-H LPC Controller (rev 31)
00:1f.2 Memory controller: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-H PMC (rev 31)
00:1f.3 Audio device: Intel Corporation Device a171 (rev 31)
00:1f.4 SMBus: Intel Corporation Sunrise Point-H SMBus (rev 31)
00:1f.6 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation Ethernet Connection (5) I219-V (rev 31)
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: NVIDIA Corporation GM107GLM [Quadro M1200 Mobile] (rev a2)
01:00.1 Audio device: NVIDIA Corporation Device 0fbc (rev a1)
02:00.0 Non-Volatile memory controller: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd NVMe SSD Controller SM961/PM961
04:00.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation Wireless 8265 / 8275 (rev 78)
3e:00.0 Non-Volatile memory controller: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd NVMe SSD Controller SM961/PM961

# with GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="acpi_osi=Linux thinkpad-acpi.brightness_enable=1":
$ grep . -R /sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/*
/sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/actual_brightness:0
/sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/bl_power:0
/sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/brightness:11
/sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/max_brightness:15
/sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/power/runtime_active_kids:0
/sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/power/runtime_suspended_time:0
grep: /sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/power/autosuspend_delay_ms: Input/output error
/sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/power/runtime_enabled:disabled
/sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/power/runtime_active_time:0
/sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/power/control:auto
/sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/power/async:disabled
/sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/power/runtime_usage:0
/sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/power/runtime_status:unsupported
grep: warning: /sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/subsystem/thinkpad_screen/subsystem: recursive directory loop
/sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/subsystem/thinkpad_screen/power/runtime_active_kids:0
/sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/subsystem/thinkpad_screen/power/runtime_suspended_time:0
grep: /sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/subsystem/thinkpad_screen/power/autosuspend_delay_ms: Input/output error
/sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/subsystem/thinkpad_screen/power/runtime_enabled:disabled
/sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/subsystem/thinkpad_screen/power/runtime_active_time:0
/sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/subsystem/thinkpad_screen/power/control:auto
/sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/subsystem/thinkpad_screen/power/async:disabled
/sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/subsystem/thinkpad_screen/power/runtime_usage:0
/sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/subsystem/thinkpad_screen/power/runtime_status:unsupported
/sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/subsystem/thinkpad_screen/max_brightness:15
/sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/subsystem/thinkpad_screen/type:platform
/sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/subsystem/thinkpad_screen/brightness:11
/sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/subsystem/thinkpad_screen/bl_power:0
/sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/subsystem/thinkpad_screen/actual_brightness:0
/sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/type:platform
3f:00.0 Unassigned class [ff00]: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTS525A PCI Express Card Reader (rev 01)
---
ApportVersion: 2.20.7-0ubuntu3.7
Architecture: amd64
AudioDevicesInUse:
 USER PID ACCESS COMMAND
 /dev/snd/controlC1: mhoff 2207 F.... pulseaudio
 /dev/snd/pcmC0D0p: mhoff 2207 F...m pulseaudio
 /dev/snd/controlC0: mhoff 2207 F.... pulseaudio
 /dev/snd/controlC2: mhoff 2207 F.... pulseaudio
CurrentDesktop: ubuntu:GNOME
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 17.10
HibernationDevice: RESUME=UUID=5d843303-18a4-4466-b711-98668a4d1172
InstallationDate: Installed on 2017-11-11 (86 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 17.10 "Artful Aardvark" - Release amd64 (20171018)
MachineType: LENOVO 20HJS27B00
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia_uvm nvidia_drm nvidia_modeset nvidia
Package: linux (not installed)
ProcFB: 0 EFI VGA
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/vmlinuz-4.13.0-32-generic.efi.signed root=/dev/mapper/ubuntu--vg-root ro acpi_osi=Linux thinkpad-acpi.brightness_enable=1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.13.0-32.35-generic 4.13.13
RelatedPackageVersions:
 linux-restricted-modules-4.13.0-32-generic N/A
 linux-backports-modules-4.13.0-32-generic N/A
 linux-firmware 1.169.2
Tags: artful
Uname: Linux 4.13.0-32-generic x86_64
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
UserGroups: adm cdrom dip disk libvirt lpadmin plugdev sambashare sudo
_MarkForUpload: True
dmi.bios.date: 07/24/2017
dmi.bios.vendor: LENOVO
dmi.bios.version: N1UET37W (1.11 )
dmi.board.asset.tag: Not Available
dmi.board.name: 20HJS27B00
dmi.board.vendor: LENOVO
dmi.board.version: Not Defined
dmi.chassis.asset.tag: No Asset Information
dmi.chassis.type: 10
dmi.chassis.vendor: LENOVO
dmi.chassis.version: None
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnLENOVO:bvrN1UET37W(1.11):bd07/24/2017:svnLENOVO:pn20HJS27B00:pvrThinkPadP51:rvnLENOVO:rn20HJS27B00:rvrNotDefined:cvnLENOVO:ct10:cvrNone:
dmi.product.family: ThinkPad P51
dmi.product.name: 20HJS27B00
dmi.product.version: ThinkPad P51
dmi.sys.vendor: LENOVO

Revision history for this message
Ubuntu Foundations Team Bug Bot (crichton) wrote :

Thank you for taking the time to report this bug and helping to make Ubuntu better. It seems that your bug report is not filed about a specific source package though, rather it is just filed against Ubuntu in general. It is important that bug reports be filed about source packages so that people interested in the package can find the bugs about it. You can find some hints about determining what package your bug might be about at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/FindRightPackage. You might also ask for help in the #ubuntu-bugs irc channel on Freenode.

To change the source package that this bug is filed about visit https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/1747273/+editstatus and add the package name in the text box next to the word Package.

[This is an automated message. I apologize if it reached you inappropriately; please just reply to this message indicating so.]

tags: added: bot-comment
affects: ubuntu → linux (Ubuntu)
Revision history for this message
Ubuntu Kernel Bot (ubuntu-kernel-bot) wrote : Missing required logs.

This bug is missing log files that will aid in diagnosing the problem. While running an Ubuntu kernel (not a mainline or third-party kernel) please enter the following command in a terminal window:

apport-collect 1747273

and then change the status of the bug to 'Confirmed'.

If, due to the nature of the issue you have encountered, you are unable to run this command, please add a comment stating that fact and change the bug status to 'Confirmed'.

This change has been made by an automated script, maintained by the Ubuntu Kernel Team.

Changed in linux (Ubuntu):
status: New → Incomplete
tags: added: artful
Revision history for this message
Michael Hoff (mhoff) wrote : AlsaInfo.txt

apport information

tags: added: apport-collected
description: updated
Revision history for this message
Michael Hoff (mhoff) wrote : CRDA.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
Michael Hoff (mhoff) wrote : CurrentDmesg.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
Michael Hoff (mhoff) wrote : IwConfig.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
Michael Hoff (mhoff) wrote : JournalErrors.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
Michael Hoff (mhoff) wrote : Lspci.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
Michael Hoff (mhoff) wrote : Lsusb.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
Michael Hoff (mhoff) wrote : ProcCpuinfo.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
Michael Hoff (mhoff) wrote : ProcCpuinfoMinimal.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
Michael Hoff (mhoff) wrote : ProcEnviron.txt

apport information

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Michael Hoff (mhoff) wrote : ProcInterrupts.txt

apport information

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Michael Hoff (mhoff) wrote : ProcModules.txt

apport information

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Michael Hoff (mhoff) wrote : PulseList.txt

apport information

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Michael Hoff (mhoff) wrote : RfKill.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
Michael Hoff (mhoff) wrote : UdevDb.txt

apport information

Revision history for this message
Michael Hoff (mhoff) wrote : WifiSyslog.txt

apport information

Changed in linux (Ubuntu):
status: Incomplete → Confirmed
Revision history for this message
Urschl (bigurschl) wrote :

This bug also affects me

Revision history for this message
Joseph Salisbury (jsalisbury) wrote :

Did this issue start happening after an update/upgrade? Was there a prior kernel version where you were not having this particular problem?

Would it be possible for you to test the latest upstream kernel? Refer to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/KernelMainlineBuilds . Please test the latest v4.15 kernel[0].

If this bug is fixed in the mainline kernel, please add the following tag 'kernel-fixed-upstream'.

If the mainline kernel does not fix this bug, please add the tag: 'kernel-bug-exists-upstream'.

Once testing of the upstream kernel is complete, please mark this bug as "Confirmed".

Thanks in advance.

[0] http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v4.15

Changed in linux (Ubuntu):
importance: Undecided → Medium
status: Confirmed → Incomplete
Revision history for this message
Michael Hoff (mhoff) wrote :

> Did this issue start happening after an update/upgrade? Was there a prior kernel version where you were not having this particular problem?

I can not say if brightness controls worked immediately after installing the system. However, they were definitely broken after installing a few standard packages and the (proprietary) graphics drivers.

The latest upstream kernel does *not* resolve the issue (neither are the FN buttons working, nor are `backlight` classes available under `/sys/class/backlight`).

(I guess "generic" was the proper variant to test?)

$ uname -r
4.15.0-041500-generic

$ dmesg | grep acpi
[ 0.000000] ACPI: LAPIC_NMI (acpi_id[0x01] high edge lint[0x1])
[ 0.000000] ACPI: LAPIC_NMI (acpi_id[0x02] high edge lint[0x1])
[ 0.000000] ACPI: LAPIC_NMI (acpi_id[0x03] high edge lint[0x1])
[ 0.000000] ACPI: LAPIC_NMI (acpi_id[0x04] high edge lint[0x1])
[ 0.000000] ACPI: LAPIC_NMI (acpi_id[0x05] high edge lint[0x1])
[ 0.000000] ACPI: LAPIC_NMI (acpi_id[0x06] high edge lint[0x1])
[ 0.000000] ACPI: LAPIC_NMI (acpi_id[0x07] high edge lint[0x1])
[ 0.000000] ACPI: LAPIC_NMI (acpi_id[0x08] high edge lint[0x1])
[ 0.045039] acpiphp: ACPI Hot Plug PCI Controller Driver version: 0.5
[ 0.104918] acpi PNP0A08:00: _OSC: OS supports [ExtendedConfig ASPM ClockPM Segments MSI]
[ 0.105102] acpi PNP0A08:00: _OSC: platform does not support [PCIeHotplug PME AER PCIeCapability]
[ 0.105105] acpi PNP0A08:00: _OSC: not requesting control; platform does not support [PCIeCapability]
[ 0.105109] acpi PNP0A08:00: _OSC: OS requested [PCIeHotplug PME AER PCIeCapability]
[ 0.105112] acpi PNP0A08:00: _OSC: platform willing to grant []
[ 0.105114] acpi PNP0A08:00: _OSC failed (AE_SUPPORT); disabling ASPM
[ 0.264669] clocksource: acpi_pm: mask: 0xffffff max_cycles: 0xffffff, max_idle_ns: 2085701024 ns
[ 1.541604] acpi device:77: hash matches
[ 1.542026] acpi device:4a: hash matches
[ 14.000879] acpi PNP0C14:02: duplicate WMI GUID 05901221-D566-11D1-B2F0-00A0C9062910 (first instance was on PNP0C14:01)
[ 14.000963] acpi PNP0C14:03: duplicate WMI GUID 05901221-D566-11D1-B2F0-00A0C9062910 (first instance was on PNP0C14:01)
[ 14.075152] thinkpad_acpi: ThinkPad ACPI Extras v0.25
[ 14.075153] thinkpad_acpi: http://ibm-acpi.sf.net/
[ 14.075154] thinkpad_acpi: ThinkPad BIOS N1UET37W (1.11 ), EC unknown
[ 14.075155] thinkpad_acpi: Lenovo ThinkPad P51, model 20HJS27B00
[ 14.440734] thinkpad_acpi: radio switch found; radios are enabled
[ 14.639622] thinkpad_acpi: rfkill switch tpacpi_bluetooth_sw: radio is unblocked
[ 14.650775] input: ThinkPad Extra Buttons as /devices/platform/thinkpad_acpi/input/input13

Changed in linux (Ubuntu):
status: Incomplete → Confirmed
Revision history for this message
Kai-Heng Feng (kaihengfeng) wrote :

Does change the value of /sys/class/backlight/thinkpad_screen/brightness change the brightness?

Revision history for this message
Michael Hoff (mhoff) wrote :

The directory `/sys/class/backlight` is empty.

However, on my 16.04.3 system -- where the backlight works just fine -- this directory is also empty.

Revision history for this message
Kai-Heng Feng (kaihengfeng) wrote :

Not familiar with Thinkpad laptops, does it only show backlight sysfs with thinkpad-acpi.brightness_enable=1?

Revision history for this message
Rolf Leggewie (r0lf) wrote :

ping Michael and Urschl

Changed in linux (Ubuntu):
status: Confirmed → Incomplete
Revision history for this message
Launchpad Janitor (janitor) wrote :

[Expired for linux (Ubuntu) because there has been no activity for 60 days.]

Changed in linux (Ubuntu):
status: Incomplete → Expired
Revision history for this message
Carlos Gomes (gocarlos) wrote :

I did some testing: deactivated the dedicated graphics in the bios, booted to ubuntu 18.04 and 18.10 (installed parallel) and both worked. Though with the dedicated graphics enabled (nvidia) the brightness does not work...

Revision history for this message
Alberto (alberosado) wrote :

I can reproduce this bug on my ThinkPad p51, this is a new bug in 18.10. Any progress?

Changed in linux (Ubuntu):
status: Expired → New
Revision history for this message
Ubuntu Kernel Bot (ubuntu-kernel-bot) wrote : Status changed to Confirmed

This change was made by a bot.

Changed in linux (Ubuntu):
status: New → Confirmed
Revision history for this message
Kai-Heng Feng (kaihengfeng) wrote :

Does this still happen on an up-to-date system?

Revision history for this message
blszyn (blszyn) wrote :

This still happens in a fresh install of 19.10 with discrete-only graphics (Nvidia enabled, Intel disabled in BIOS) and with the nvidia driver.

Backlight control works when booting with the 19.10 live iso which the uses nouveau driver.

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