https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=527390
Bug ID: 527390
Summary: Bug Report: KDE Plasma 6.8.0 / KWin Regression Causing
Intermittent System Freezes on CachyOS (AMD Dual-GPU
Laptop)
Classification: I don't know
Product: kde
Version First unspecified
Reported In:
Platform: Other
OS: Linux
Status: REPORTED
Severity: normal
Priority: NOR
Component: general
Assignee: [email protected]
Reporter: [email protected]
Target Milestone: ---
Created attachment 197316
--> https://bugs.kde.org/attachment.cgi?id=197316&action=edit
Diagnostic archive for an Acer laptop running CachyOS with AMD Ryzen 5 2500U,
Radeon Vega 8, and Radeon RX 560 graphics. Contains system hardware
information, installed package versions, KDE upgrade
Dear KDE Development Team,
I am reporting a potential performance regression introduced with the KDE
Plasma 6.8.0 update released to CachyOS on October 16, 2026.
Following this update, my Acer laptop began experiencing intermittent
system-wide stuttering and brief freezes, typically lasting approximately one
second. These interruptions occurred during normal desktop usage, including web
browsing and general window interactions.
After extensive troubleshooting and testing, I downgraded KDE Plasma and its
associated components to their previous versions. I noticed an immediate
improvement in desktop responsiveness and overall smoothness following the
rollback.
**System Information:**
- Operating System: CachyOS (Arch Linux-based)
- Desktop Environment: KDE Plasma, Wayland
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 2500U
- Integrated GPU: AMD Radeon Vega 8
- Dedicated GPU: AMD Radeon RX 560
- Graphics Driver: AMDGPU
- Kernel: Linux 7.2.11-1-cachyos
- Mesa: 26.2.4
- Display Manager: Plasma Login Manager
**Affected Package Updates — October 16, 2026:**
- KWin: 6.7.5-3.1 → 6.8.0-1.1
- Plasma Workspace: 6.7.5-3.1 → 6.8.0-1.1
- Plasma Desktop: 6.7.5-1.1 → 6.8.0-1.1
- Plasma Login Manager: 6.7.4-3 → 6.8.0-1
- Union: Installed as a new dependency
**Troubleshooting Performed:**
1. Monitored CPU utilization, memory availability, system resource pressure,
and GPU activity.
2. Investigated AMDGPU initialization messages and PCIe runtime
power-management behavior.
3. Tested the dedicated GPU's runtime power-control setting using both `auto`
and `on`.
4. Updated the CachyOS kernel to 7.2.11-1, without establishing a resolution.
5. Created a Btrfs recovery snapshot and downgraded the KDE Plasma package set.
6. Corrected remaining Bluetooth and Print Manager applet incompatibilities by
downgrading Bluedevil and Print Manager to version 6.7.5.
**Results After Rollback:**
The laptop is now running KDE Plasma 6.7.5 with KWin 6.7.5-3.1. The kernel and
Mesa versions remain unchanged, and the dedicated AMD GPU has returned to its
original `auto` power-management configuration.
Desktop responsiveness improved noticeably immediately after restarting into
the older Plasma environment.
Although longer-term testing is still necessary to confirm that the
intermittent freezes have been completely eliminated, this before-and-after
comparison strongly suggests a regression associated with the Plasma 6.8.0
update.
**Request for Investigation:**
I would appreciate it if the development team could investigate potential
regressions involving:
- KWin's Wayland compositor and frame scheduling.
- AMDGPU systems utilizing both integrated and dedicated Radeon graphics.
- GPU runtime power-management interactions.
- Changes introduced between Plasma 6.7.5 and 6.8.0 that could cause brief
desktop stalls.
I can provide Pacman upgrade and downgrade logs, system journal excerpts,
hardware details, and additional diagnostic information upon request.
Thank you for reviewing this report. I hope these findings can help identify
and correct the regression for other affected users.
Best regards,
Gabriel O.
CachyOS / KDE Plasma User
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