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How can you fix GRUB boot text being too small to read on a 4K monitor in Bluefin (an immutable Linux system)?
How can you fix GRUB boot text being too small to read on a 4K monitor in Bluefin (an immutable Linux system)?
Type
Answer
Status
Published
Created
Apr 1, 2026
Updated
Apr 1, 2026
Created by
Dosu Bot
Updated by
Dosu Bot

Since Bluefin is an immutable system, you cannot edit GRUB config the traditional way. Instead, modify /etc/default/grub (which is mutable and survives updates) as follows:

  1. Edit /etc/default/grub and add or modify these lines:

    GRUB_GFXMODE=1920x1080x32
    GRUB_GFXPAYLOAD_LINUX=keep
    

    This forces GRUB to render at 1080p instead of native 4K, making the text much more readable.

  2. Regenerate the GRUB config:

    sudo grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/efi/EFI/fedora/grub.cfg
    

    Verify the exact path with ls /boot/efi/EFI/ first.

  3. Reboot to see the change.

Important notes:

  • Changes in /etc survive system updates via OSTree's 3-way merge, so this is safe and persistent.
  • Do not edit anything under /usr — it is read-only and will be overwritten on the next image update.
  • Bluefin also has ujust configure-grub for toggling GRUB menu visibility, though it does not directly address resolution.
  • If there are also HiDPI issues on the desktop itself, Bluefin's GNOME setup includes experimental scaling features like scale-monitor-framebuffer and xwayland-native-scaling.