This sounds kind of like bug 1872159 or bug 1871641. Can you please try editing /etc/default/grub and remove 'splash' then:
sudo update-grub and reboot. ** Tags added: hybrid nvidia ** Summary changed: - Xorg freeze + [nvidia] Boot freeze - can't get to login screen without unplugging HDMI first ** Package changed: xorg (Ubuntu) => plymouth (Ubuntu) ** Changed in: plymouth (Ubuntu) Status: New => Incomplete ** Also affects: gdm3 (Ubuntu) Importance: Undecided Status: New -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Desktop Bugs, which is subscribed to gdm3 in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1890593 Title: [nvidia] Boot freeze - can't get to login screen without unplugging HDMI first To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gdm3/+bug/1890593/+subscriptions -- desktop-bugs mailing list desktop-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/desktop-bugs