How to Switch from X11 to Wayland on Jetson Orin Nano

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties switching from the X11 window system to Wayland on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano, particularly when using Jetpack 6.0. The main symptoms include the absence of a gear icon for selecting the display server during login on Ubuntu 22.04, which prevents users from choosing Wayland. This issue arises during the setup process after following various guides, including one aimed at Jetpack 4.2, but without success in the newer environment. Users have reported this issue consistently, indicating a significant impact on their ability to utilize the graphical interface effectively, especially for applications that require Wayland support.

Possible Causes

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: The transition from X11 to Wayland may involve software bugs in Jetpack 6.0 that affect user interface options.
• Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings or missing configurations in the display manager could lead to the absence of selection options for Wayland.
• Driver Issues: Compatibility problems with graphics drivers on Jetpack 6.0 may hinder proper functionality of Wayland.
• User Errors: Users might misconfigure their systems or overlook necessary steps in enabling Wayland.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Refer to Documentation: Start by consulting the NVIDIA Jetson Linux Developer Guide for sample applications and configurations related to Wayland.

   • Link: Sample Applications — NVIDIA Jetson Linux Developer Guide.

2. Check GNOME Settings: Ensure that GNOME is properly set up to allow Wayland sessions. If using GNOME, verify that it is configured correctly:

   • Open a terminal and run:

     sudo gedit /etc/gdm3/custom.conf
     

   • Uncomment the line #WaylandEnable=false to enable Wayland.

3. Reboot and Test: After making changes, reboot your system and check if the gear icon appears during login.

4. Install Necessary Packages: Ensure all necessary packages for Wayland are installed:

   sudo apt install gnome-session-wayland
   

5. Use Alternative Display Managers: If issues persist, consider switching to a different display manager that supports Wayland better than GDM:

   • Install SDDM or LightDM:

     sudo apt install sddm
     

6. Check for Updates: Regularly check for updates to Jetpack and related software that may resolve existing bugs or conflicts.

7. Community Feedback: Engage with community forums for additional insights or shared experiences regarding similar issues, as other users may have found successful workarounds.

8. Testing with Different Configurations: If possible, test with different hardware setups or configurations to isolate whether the issue is hardware-related.

9. Log Files Review: If problems continue, review log files for errors related to display management:

   journalctl -xe | grep gdm
   

10. Seek Further Assistance: If all else fails, consider reaching out directly to NVIDIA support or posting detailed queries on forums where developers discuss similar topics.

By following these steps and utilizing community resources, users can increase their chances of successfully switching from X11 to Wayland on their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano devices.