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First identify where boot stops
Do not treat every failed restart as a graphics-driver problem. These symptoms point to different investigation paths:
| What you see | Most useful next step |
|---|---|
| GRUB menu appears, but the newest kernel hangs | Try an older installed kernel under Advanced options. |
| Kernel panic, BusyBox, or “Gave up waiting for root file system device” | Investigate the root device, UUID, partitions and encryption configuration. |
| A login TTY works, but Plasma does not start | Investigate the GPU, driver, display server/session and the selected kernel. |
| No visible GRUB menu | Use the firmware-appropriate key during startup to reveal it. |
Preserve the exact message, including any UUID, kernel version or package error. Historical KDE Neon reports show materially different failures: one system retained working text terminals while Plasma failed, while another booted normally after selecting its previous kernel. These are case reports, not proof of a single cause (2024 Plasma-startup report; 2024 KDE Neon reboot thread; 2024 missing-root report).
Try an earlier kernel from GRUB
- Restart the computer and display GRUB. On BIOS systems, hold Shift during startup; on UEFI systems, press Esc repeatedly as firmware startup ends. Fast Boot and timing can hide the menu. These key sequences and recovery entries are documented in Ubuntu’s Recovery mode guide.
- Choose Advanced options for KDE neon (the wording can vary slightly).
- Select an older normal kernel entry, not its recovery-mode entry.
- If Neon reaches the desktop, record both kernel versions and the original failure before making changes.
In a July 2025 KDE Neon discussion, selecting the previous 6.11.0-29-generic kernel restored normal boot. That makes an older entry a useful recovery and comparison point, but it does not by itself identify whether the cause is the kernel, initramfs, graphics stack or boot configuration.
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If Plasma fails but a TTY works
A working text console means the kernel has progressed substantially farther than a machine that cannot mount root. Switch to a TTY with Ctrl+Alt+F3 (try another F-key if needed), sign in, and note:
- GPU model and whether the session uses X11 or Wayland;
- the kernel shown by
uname -r; - the display manager and the exact Plasma or login error;
- whether the previous kernel starts Plasma.
The 2024 report involving kernel 6.5.0-14-generic included discussion of graphics compatibility. Another participant reported success after a driver operation, but neither thread establishes a universal NVIDIA command or a general instruction to purge or reinstall drivers. Change graphics packages only after identifying the hardware, driver and session involved (case discussion).
If the message mentions a missing root UUID
Messages such as ALERT! UUID=… does not exist or Gave up waiting for root file system device indicate an early storage or boot-configuration branch. Check which partition Neon expects as root, whether that UUID still exists, and whether full-disk encryption is configured. Do not switch to graphics troubleshooting while the root filesystem cannot be found.
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The cited Neon upgrade report combined this symptom with encryption, but it does not prove that encryption or a particular kernel package is the universal cause. Treat the UUID, partition and encryption details as evidence to verify on the affected installation (KDE Neon root-device report).
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Use recovery mode carefully
GRUB’s recovery entry loads basic services and provides a command-line repair environment. Ubuntu’s documentation states that the root filesystem is initially mounted read-only; remount it read-write before attempting repairs, and only after you know which filesystem is the target (Ubuntu Recovery mode).
Recovery mode is appropriate for inspecting logs, verifying mounts and completing a known package repair. It is not a reason to remove kernels, run autoremove, purge graphics drivers or reinstall Neon blindly.
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How to handle community commands
Forum replies associated with these incidents mention apt full-upgrade, manually running update-grub, and regenerating initramfs. One participant reported an update-initramfs command helping; another said it did not. These are version- and case-specific reports, not official universal fixes. Before running package or bootloader commands, capture the installed kernel list, package state and the exact boot error. If the older kernel works, use that session to gather those details rather than changing several variables at once.
What not to do first
- Do not delete the older kernel that still boots.
- Do not run
apt autoremovewhile diagnosing a boot failure. - Do not purge or reinstall NVIDIA or other graphics drivers without confirmed GPU and session evidence.
- Do not alter GRUB entries or reinstall the operating system before checking whether the failure is limited to one kernel or to root-device detection.
Choose the recovery path by symptom
| Situation | Path | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Older kernel listed and boots | Use it temporarily and compare logs and package state. | The installation and at least one kernel remain usable; cause still needs investigation. |
| TTY available, Plasma unavailable | Collect GPU, driver, display-server and kernel details. | Focus on graphical-session startup rather than root mounting. |
| BusyBox or missing UUID | Verify root device, UUID, partitions and encryption. | Boot is failing before normal userspace; graphics changes are unlikely to help. |
| No GRUB menu | Reveal GRUB with Shift (BIOS) or Esc (UEFI), accounting for Fast Boot. | Provides access to older and recovery entries. |
The Bottom Line
Start with the exact failure stage, then boot an older installed kernel if GRUB offers one. A failed Plasma session, a missing root UUID and a hidden GRUB menu require different fixes; avoid destructive cleanup or driver changes until the evidence identifies the branch.
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