Buy a computer, don't talk to one. Lifetime support from 100% real humans.

Support Tickets

Can't find what you're looking for in the articles below? Our team is here to help. After logging into your account, submit a support ticket and our Customer Happiness Team will be on the case!

Submit a ticket

Having trouble submitting a support ticket? Contact our office at (720) 226-9269 and we'll help you out.

Getting Started

Configure Your System76 Server

Instructions on setting up a System76 server, including initial login credentials.

Desktop Quickstart

Getting started on your new System76 Desktop.

Find Your Quickstart Guide

Diagrams and component guides for your computer.

Linux Terminal Basics

Linux offers users a lot of flexibility. Use the terminal to accomplish tasks faster

Pop!_OS Basics

Learn how to navigate your new Pop!_OS desktop environment with a few easy tips.

Pop!_OS Keyboard Shortcuts

Learn how master using Pop!_OS with your keyboard.

Switching to Pop!_OS From Apple

If you are coming from Apple’s operating system using Pop!_OS for the first time, we can help make the transition smoother.

Switching to Ubuntu from Apple

If you are coming from Apple’s operating system and just using Ubuntu for the first time, we can help make the transition a little smoother.

Ubuntu Basics

Learn how to navigate your new Ubuntu desktop environment with a few easy tips.

Ubuntu Keyboard Shortcuts

Learn how master using Ubuntu with your keyboard.

Pop!_OS

Adding Other Users to Your OS

How to add other users to your installation

Can't Log In or Black Screen After Logging In with Pop!_OS

Are you getting stuck in a login loop, even though your password is correct? Do you see a black screen after you log in?

Change Your Password in Pop!_OS

Forgot your main password? Locked out of your computer? Need to change your encryption passphrase? Follow these instructions to change both!

Create a User If Initial User Setup Fails in Pop!_OS

Sometimes, the first boot user creation fails and leaves only a Guest session. You can fix this by following the steps here.

Customize Pop!_OS

Pop with the GNOME desktop is highly customizable! See here to get started making your desktop just right for you.

Development Approach

Learn about the Pop!_OS development methodology.

Differences between Pop!_OS and Ubuntu

Discover the differences between these two Operating Systems

Dual Boot Windows 10 Alongside Pop!_OS

Learn how to install Windows alongside Pop!_OS.

Fix Package Manager Issues in Pop!_OS

Here are ways to fix update, upgrade, and other package manager issues.

Fix Pop!_OS 20.10 Incomplete Upgrade

What to do if you get an FStab error or if your upgrade is incomplete.

Fix raw image previews

Add a custom thumbnail generator to display thumbnails for raw image in Files.

Getting Started with Bitesize Bugs

Get started contributing quickly with bitesize bugs!

Install Pop!_OS On Your Computer

Full instructions on installing Pop!_OS your computer.

Install Steam

Want to game on your super awesome new System76 machine? Take a look at these instructions to install Steam, a marketplace for hundreds of Linux games.

Manage Repositories in Pop!_OS

Add, remove and edit repositories in Pop!_OS

Media Production on Pop!_OS

Learn about media production tools on Pop!_OS

Move or Customize the Dock

How to move the Dock to different areas of the screen and customize other settings.

Pop!_OS 20.04 LTS Release Notes

Discover what’s new in Pop!_OS 20.04 LTS

Sharing files between your Pop!_OS Computers

How to share files with the Public Folder.

Switching Graphics in Pop!_OS

How to switch between integrated, NVIDIA, and Hybrid graphics

Upgrade Pop!_OS

Get the newest version of Pop!_OS on your System76 computer! Check out our upgrade directions.

Use The Recovery Partition

Here is how to use the recovery partition to repair, refresh or reinstall your operating system.

Using Legacy Status Icons in Pop!_OS

Use legacy status icons (system tray/AppIndicators) with a GNOME extension

Ubuntu

Can't Log In or Black Screen After Logging In with Ubuntu

Are you getting stuck in a login loop, even though your password is correct? Do you see a black screen after you log in?

Change Your Password in Ubuntu

Forgot your main password? Locked out of your computer? Need to change your encryption passphrase? Follow these instructions to change both!

Create a User If Initial User Setup Fails in Ubuntu

Sometimes, the first boot user creation fails and leaves only a Guest session. You can fix this by following the steps here.

Fix Package Manager Issues in Ubuntu

Here are ways to fix update, upgrade, and other package manager issues.

Install Ubuntu On Your System76 Computer

Full instructions on installing Ubuntu your computer.

Manage Repositories in Ubuntu

Add, remove and edit repositories in Ubuntu

Switching Graphics in Ubuntu

How to switch between integrated, NVIDIA, and Hybrid graphics

Upgrade Ubuntu

Get the newest version of Ubuntu on your System76 computer! Check out our upgrade directions.

Software & Applications

Back Up Files

Guidelines and tips for making backups of your important files.

Change the Desktop Environment

Pop!_OS Comes with GNOME by default. Follow these instructions to install additional desktop environments.

Find Windows Drivers

If you are trying to install Windows on a System76 computer, here are some instructions for locating the drivers.

Firmware Flash to Clear the SMMSTORE ROM (Error code 5)

How to fix the failed with exit status: exit code: 5 message

Install CUDA and cuDNN

Complete instructions on setting up the NVIDIA CUDA toolkit and cuDNN libraries

Install DaVinci Resolve

Want to up your video editing skills? Try DaVinci Resolve

Install Lightworks

Complete instructions on installing Lightworks

Install MATLAB on Pop!_OS 20.04 LTS

How to install MATLAB

Install Pop!_OS in VirtualBox

Install Pop!_OS in a virtual machine like VirtualBox

Install Windows 10 in VirtualBox

Instructions on how to install Windows 10 in a virtual machine using VirtualBox

Install and Use Tensorman

Use Tensorman to manage TensorFlow containers.

Keep PPAs Enabled when Upgrading Releases

Upgrading to a new releases disables PPAs and third party repos. Learn how to keep your PPA or third party repo enabled during upgrades.

Repair the Bootloader

How to repair and reinstall the bootloader.

Setting Custom Mouse Actions

How to set custom mouse actions with xbindkeys

Switching Between Proprietary Firmware and System76 Open Firmware

How to transition from proprietary firmware to System76 Open Firmware on supported models.

Using Pop Shell on other GNOME Desktops

Learn how to build Pop Shell from source.

Watch Protected Content from Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Other Streaming Services

How to view DRM-protected video content from online streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime

Watch Videos and Play Music (MP3, DVD, etc.)

Proprietary multimedia formats, such as MP3 files and DVD decoders, aren’t included by default. To enable playback of these media, please see this document.

Hardware & Drivers

Access BIOS or Boot Menu

How to access BIOS settings or boot from other media.

Add a Printer in Pop!_OS

Here is how to add a printer in Pop!_OS.

Auto-Mounting Second Hard Drive

If you ordered your computer with additional storage, it comes pre-formatted and ready for use. For instructions on automatically mounting an additional hard drive, check out this extra drive documentation.

Battery Life Improvements

Stretch the battery life and create amazing things for longer.

Configure Or Disable Touchpad

Learn how to turn on and configure touchpad functions.

Diagnose Hardware Failures

If the computer won’t start, boot, or otherwise operate normally, there may be a hardware issue. Follow these steps to diagnose hardware failures.

Install the System76 Driver

Our System76 Driver can generate system logs, we’ll also go over how to reinstall the NVIDIA Driver.

Laptop Battery Thresholds

Set battery charging thresholds on your System76 laptop.

Live Disk Creation (Other Operating Systems)

Create and use bootable media on other operating systems.

Live Disk Creation (Pop!_OS)

Create and use bootable media on Pop!_OS.

Replace the Thelio Power Button

Here are a few easy steps to replace the power button in your Thelio.

Stop DAC Clicking on the Serval

Certain models of the Serval WS will “click” when the DAC turns on and off, but the frequency can be decreased.

System76 Open Firmware Models

A list of systems that run our Open Firmware and Open EC.

Webcam

Activate and troubleshoot your laptop webcam

WiFi & Bluetooth

Solve Wireless Issues

If you’re having problems with your wireless Internet connection, take a look at the suggestions in this article.

Troubleshoot Bluetooth Issues

Here is how to fix several common Bluetooth issues with your computer.

Graphics, Audio and Video

Configure HDMI Audio

Here is how to play audio over an HDMI or DisplayPort connection.

Fix Audio Issues

Here is how to fix several common audio issues with your computer.

HiDPI Multi-Monitor Support

Mixing HiDPI and LoDpi displays can be complicated. Learn what to do and how System76 automates this for you!

Use The Microphone

Here is how to enable and adjust the microphone.

Security & Encryption

Encrypt Extra Drive

Learn how to encrypt the extra drive

Format Your drive

Learn how to format your drive

Full Disk Encryption Passwords

How to add extra passwords for your Full Disk Encryption setup

Install OpenVPN

This page will go over setting up and using OpenVPN to browse the internet more securely in places like airports, cafe shops and more.

Join an Active Directory Domain

Learn how to join Pop!_OS to an Active Directory domain

Accessories

Docking Station Support

A Docking Station makes it easy to use multi monitors. It also adds an ethernet port, multi USB ports and more while only using one USB 3.0 port on your laptop.

How to order accessories for your laptop

Instructions to order a new AC Adapter for your laptop.

Repairs and Returns

Laptop Repackaging Instructions

Step by step instructions for repackaging your laptop for repair or return

Service Manuals for your System76 machines

Instructions on how to take apart your System76 machines for upgrading or repairs.

Shipping Your Computer

Instructions for preparing your computer for shipping to System76.

Community Articles

The following documents have been graciously submitted by community members. They have not been checked for accuracy, completeness, or style. Please contact the contributers through their GitHub account for any questions.