Jetson Orin Nano DisplayPort Connection Failure After Boot

Issue Overview

The Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano 8GB development board is experiencing a DisplayPort (DP) connection issue after a system reboot. The problem manifests as follows:

• During the initial boot process, the DisplayPort connection functions correctly, showing a progress bar and boot settings options.
• After the system shuts down and reboots, the DisplayPort connection fails, and the monitor displays "no signal from source."
• SSH access and X11 forwarding remain functional, indicating that the system is operational despite the display issue.
• The problem occurred after making changes to the Python3 version and possibly other unspecified modifications.

This issue significantly impacts the user experience by preventing direct visual interaction with the Jetson Orin Nano, forcing reliance on remote access methods.

Possible Causes

1. Driver Conflicts: The Python3 version change or other modifications may have altered system libraries or drivers crucial for DisplayPort functionality.

2. Configuration Errors: System settings related to display output might have been inadvertently changed during the software modifications.

3. Kernel Module Issues: The DisplayPort driver module may not be loading correctly after the full boot process.

4. Hardware Detection Problem: The system might be failing to detect or initialize the DisplayPort hardware after the initial boot stage.

5. Power Management Conflicts: Changes in power management settings could be affecting the DisplayPort’s ability to maintain a connection after the full boot.

6. NVIDIA Driver Incompatibility: If a driver update occurred, it might be incompatible with the current system configuration.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify Current Display Configuration:

   • SSH into the Jetson Orin Nano and run:

     xrandr --query
     

   • Check if the DisplayPort output is listed and its current state.

2. Reinstall NVIDIA Drivers:

   • Download the latest NVIDIA L4T (Linux for Tegra) package compatible with your Jetson Orin Nano.
   • Follow the NVIDIA documentation to reinstall the drivers:

     sudo ./nvidia-l4t-r32.x.x_aarch64.tbz2
     sudo ./nvidia-l4t-r32.x.x_aarch64.tbz2 -e
     

3. Check Kernel Logs for Display Errors:

   • Examine the kernel logs for any DisplayPort-related errors:

     dmesg | grep -i display
     dmesg | grep -i nvidia
     

4. Reconfigure X Server:

   • Backup your current X configuration:

     sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.backup
     

   • Generate a new X configuration:

     sudo nvidia-xconfig
     

   • Reboot the system and check if the display works.

5. Update System Packages:

   • Ensure all system packages are up to date:

     sudo apt update
     sudo apt upgrade
     

6. Check for Conflicting Python Packages:

   • Review recently installed or updated Python packages:

     pip list --outdated
     

   • Consider rolling back Python-related changes if the issue started after modifying Python versions.

7. Verify Power Management Settings:

   • Check the current power mode:

     sudo nvpmodel -q
     

   • If necessary, switch to a different power mode:

     sudo nvpmodel -m [MODE_NUMBER]
     

8. Investigate HDMI to DisplayPort Adapter:

   • If using an adapter, try connecting directly to a DisplayPort monitor if available.
   • Test with a different HDMI to DisplayPort adapter to rule out adapter issues.

9. Reset Jetson to Factory Settings:

   • As a last resort, consider reflashing the Jetson Orin Nano with the original image to rule out any software-related issues.

10. Hardware Inspection:

    • Physically inspect the DisplayPort connection on the Jetson Orin Nano for any damage or debris.
    • Try a different DisplayPort cable to eliminate cable-related issues.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, consider reaching out to NVIDIA’s official support channels or community forums for more specialized assistance. The problem may require deeper investigation into system logs and configurations specific to the Jetson Orin Nano platform.