I’m new to Framework and I just received my new Laptop 16, with the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 (but no dGPU).
I’m really keen to use Linux Mint rather than Ubuntu. I had previously seen in other discussions that many had installed Mint on other FW models, so I boldly tried to install Mint today but didn’t get far. As I was creating my O/S login password the keyboard froze. Tried again, same thing. Hoping it would be a hardware issue, I resorted to Ubuntu 25.10 and got though installation without issue. Darn !!!
I’ve checked my BIOS and it’s the latest 03.04 from INSYDE Corp.
Is anyone running Mint on the Laptop 16 ? Is this feasible/possible?
TIA
By the way, I’ve just come across a number of related posts that are tagged ‘Framework Laptop16 + Linux + Linux_mint’. Why can’t I add the Linux/Linux-Mint tag to this post?
Mint is based on the LTS kernel that is too old for the AI series CPUs. Not sure if the others are using the ryzen 7040 version but I suspect that is the case. I’m not aware if mint has a way of easily updating to a newer kernel.
I had a similar keyboard-freeze on my Laptop 16 (Ryzen AI 7 350); Although Mint wasn’t installed, Mint’s desktop environment was: Ubuntu Cinnamon 25.10.
Like you, installing vanilla Ubuntu 25.10 fixed the issue. I also prefer Mint to Ubuntu, so hopefully this gets fixed in time for Mint 23, which will have a supported kernel (based on Ubuntu 26.04).
Ubuntu Cinnamon 25.10 does have a supported kernel (6.17), and since the issue also appeared on a different Cinnamon-based install (Fedora Cinnamon Spin 43), it seems to be a problem with Cinnamon or X11 (vanilla Ubuntu uses GNOME/Wayland), rather than (just) the kernel.
That seems to confirm the only choice for an Ai-300 series at present is Ubuntu 25.10
FWIW I asked Gemini on this topic, citing turbo446’s suggestion. I can’t upload PDF or TXT files here, so I’ve pasted the core of two responses from Gemini, see below.
I’m not experienced enough with Linux to assess the validity of these suggestions. I wa s tempted but (a) AI sometimes leads me down the garden path, and (b) your additional info suggests I would be wasting my time anyway
BTW how does this forum and overlap with Framework Support. Are support staff monitoring? Is it likely Framework may know or suggest a fix for this, or are we simply going to have to live with Ubuntu, hoping future Mint releases work …
Gemini suggestion 1:
Since you already have Ubuntu 25.10 running successfully, you have proof that the hardware is
compatible with a 6.17+ kernel. If you want to switch to Mint, here is the recommended path
that minimizes risk:
1. The “Nomodeset” Install: To prevent the freeze during installation, you must boot the
Mint USB in “Compatibility Mode” or press e at the boot menu and add nomodeset to
the end of the line starting with linux. This tells the installer to use basic graphics,
preventing the AMD driver from crashing before it’s installed.
2. The Official OEM Kernel: Instead of using the “Mainline Tool” (which installs unverified
kernels), use the Ubuntu OEM kernel repository. Once Mint is installed, open a terminal
and run:sudo apt update && sudo apt install linux-oem-24.04d
This installs a kernel specifically validated by Canonical for new hardware (like the Ryzen
AI 300 series) while keeping you within the official update system.
3. The PSR Fix: Even on a newer kernel, some Framework users report a “desktop freeze”
where the mouse still moves. This is caused by Panel Self Refresh (PSR). To fix this, you
may need to add a specific parameter to your Grub configuration:
amdgpu.dcdebugmask=0x12
Gemini Suggestion 2:
Rather than using the Mainline Tool, the standard “best practice” for new hardware on a
Mint/Ubuntu base is to use the Official Ubuntu OEM Kernel. This is a kernel specifically validated
by Canonical for new platforms like your AI 300 series.
Since you already have Ubuntu 25.10 running, you can use that to prepare a new Mint installation
with a high degree of confidence:
1. Boot Mint in Compatibility Mode: When you boot from the Mint 22.3 USB, select
“Compatibility Mode” from the GRUB menu. This uses basic VESA graphics to bypass the
AMD driver crash, allowing you to complete the installation.
2. Install the OEM Kernel: Once you are logged into your new Mint desktop, open the Terminal
and run:
sudo apt update && sudo apt install linux-oem-24.04d
This installs a production-ready kernel (likely 6.17 or 6.18) that includes the specific drivers
your Framework 16 needs.
3. Reboot: Once the installation finishes, reboot the machine. It should now boot normally with
full hardware acceleration.
for AI 300 series you need atleast kernel 6.14 and up not 6.15 and up. SInce some distros with 6.14 Kernel version actually works on AI 300 series framework 16 laptop and i can confirm it myself since i gotten distros with 6.14 working just fine.
Any distros with kernel version bellow 6.14 won’t work.
Not a Framework 16, but a couple Framework 13 AMD Ryzen AI 300 laptops running Mint here after applying the PSR workaround using the kernel command line modification.
Debian sid (or testing) also works! Has new enough kernels (Debian stable also probably does through backports — only issue would be getting it installed…not sure if backports kernels are bundled into updated installation images).
Thanks for the excellent cross-link @Catenary, As it happens I’m still dealing with different partial-freezing problems on my need Laptop 16 (even using Ubuntu 25.10) so I’m going to log a request with FW support.
Once that is sorted I’ll definitely switch back to Mint and try that PSR fix (provided by none other than Clem himself!).
PS: I must say … i really like the constructive energy on this forum !
For the record … I reinstalled Mint 22.3 Zena using compatibility mode, and immediately implemented Clem’s PSR fix (here) on my Laptop 16. I have not experienced any Zena freezes since (several days, almost a week)
