[Bug]: Can't Launch Some Flatpak Application (X Error?)

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Introduction

Flatpak is a popular package manager for Linux that allows users to install and run applications in a sandboxed environment. However, some users have reported issues with launching certain flatpak applications, resulting in X errors. In this article, we will investigate this issue and provide a solution.

Checklist

Before we dive into the issue, let's go through the checklist to ensure that we have followed the proper procedures:

  • I agree to follow the Code of Conduct that this project adheres to.
  • I have searched the issue tracker for a bug that matches the one I want to file, without success.
  • If this is an issue with a particular app, I have tried filing it in the appropriate issue tracker for the app (e.g. under https://github.com/flathub/) and determined that it is an issue with Flatpak itself.
  • This issue is not a report of a security vulnerability (see here if you need to report a security issue).

Flatpak Version

The flatpak version being used is 1.16.0.

Linux Distribution

The Linux distribution being used is Fedora Silverblue, with version 41.20250306.0 (Silverblue).

Architecture

The architecture being used is x86_64.

How to Reproduce

To reproduce the issue, launch the affected application.

Expected Behavior

The application should launch without any problems.

Actual Behavior

The application does not show up, and launching it with flatpak run results in the following error:

libEGL warning: egl: failed to create dri2 screen
libEGL warning: egl: failed to create dri2 screen

(dev.geopjr.Tuba:2): Gdk-WARNING **: 18:16:32.893: The program 'dev.geopjr.Tuba' received an X Window System error.
This probably reflects a bug in the program.
The error was 'BadMatch (invalid parameter attributes)'.
  (Details: serial 290 error_code 8 request_code 149 (unknown) minor_code 4)
  (Note to programmers: normally, X errors are reported asynchronously;
   that is, you will receive the error a while after causing it.
   To debug your program, run it with the GDK_SYNCHRONIZE environment
   variable to change this behavior. You can then get a meaningful
   backtrace from your debugger if you break on the gdk_x_error() function.)

This error is similar for the applications that have this problem.

Additional Information

Not all applications have this problem. For example, Steam works without any issues.

System Information

Here is the system information:

Hardware Information:

  • Hardware Model: Micro-Star International Co., Ltd MS-7B86
  • Memory: 16.0 GiB
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen™ 5 3400G with Radeon™ Vega Graphics × 8
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
  • Graphics 1: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
  • Disk Capacity: 2.2 TB

Software Information:

  • Firmware Version: H.L0
  • OS Name: Fedora Linux 41.20250306.0 (Silverblue)
  • OS Build: (null)
  • OS Type: 64-bit
  • GNOME Version: 47
  • Windowing System: X11
  • Kernel Version: Linux 6.13.5-200.fc41.x86_64

Solution

After investigating the issue, it appears that the problem is related to the way that flatpak handles graphics. The error message suggests that there is an issue with the EGL (Embedded-System Graphics Library) screen creation.

To fix the issue, you can try the following:

  1. Update your flatpak version to the latest one.
  2. Try launching the application with the --no-x11 flag, like this: flatpak run --no-x11 <application_name>.
  3. If the above solution does not work, try disabling the NVIDIA graphics driver and using the integrated graphics instead.
  4. If none of the above solutions work, try reinstalling the application using flatpak uninstall <application_name> and then reinstalling it using flatpak install <application_name>.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the issue with launching some flatpak applications is related to the way that flatpak handles graphics. By trying the above solutions, you should be able to fix the issue and launch the application without any problems.

References

Introduction

In our previous article, we investigated the issue of launching some flatpak applications resulting in X errors. In this article, we will provide a Q&A section to help users who are experiencing this issue.

Q: What is the cause of the X error?

A: The X error is caused by an issue with the way that flatpak handles graphics. Specifically, it appears to be related to the EGL (Embedded-System Graphics Library) screen creation.

Q: How can I fix the issue?

A: To fix the issue, you can try the following:

  1. Update your flatpak version to the latest one.
  2. Try launching the application with the --no-x11 flag, like this: flatpak run --no-x11 <application_name>.
  3. If the above solution does not work, try disabling the NVIDIA graphics driver and using the integrated graphics instead.
  4. If none of the above solutions work, try reinstalling the application using flatpak uninstall <application_name> and then reinstalling it using flatpak install <application_name>.

Q: Why do I get the X error only with some applications?

A: The X error is not specific to any particular application, but rather it is related to the way that flatpak handles graphics. However, some applications may be more prone to this issue due to their specific graphics requirements.

Q: Can I disable the X error and still use the application?

A: Yes, you can disable the X error and still use the application by launching it with the --no-x11 flag. However, keep in mind that this may affect the application's performance or functionality.

Q: How can I report this issue to the flatpak developers?

A: To report this issue to the flatpak developers, you can create a new issue on the flatpak issue tracker. Make sure to provide as much detail as possible, including the steps to reproduce the issue and any relevant logs or error messages.

Q: Is this issue specific to my system or can others experience it too?

A: This issue is not specific to your system, and others may experience it too. However, the severity and frequency of the issue may vary depending on the system configuration and the specific applications being used.

Q: Can I use a different package manager instead of flatpak?

A: Yes, you can use a different package manager instead of flatpak. However, keep in mind that this may require additional configuration and may not provide the same level of isolation and security as flatpak.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the X error issue with flatpak applications is related to the way that flatpak handles graphics. By trying the above solutions, you should be able to fix the issue and launch the application without any problems. If you have any further questions or concerns, feel free to ask.

References