Where Are Xorg Log Files Stored?
Xorg log file paths on Linux, root versus rootless locations plus display number naming rules for crashes.
Last updated
Xorg splits its log path by privilege. Root sessions and display managers write /var/log/Xorg.n.log while rootless user sessions write ~/.local/share/xorg/Xorg.n.log. The man pages and ArchWiki agree, with n as the display number.
Display managers complicate the hunt since GDM may log under its own user tree. Check timestamps first when several files exist. The log names the driver, the screen and every EE error in one scroll. Grep EE to start quickly today. Wayland skips these files.
Where Xorg stores this, by platform
~/.local/share/xorg/Xorg.0.log
Root and display manager logs under /var/log, rootless user logs under .local/share/xorg. Display number in filename. Check timestamps.
Frequently asked questions
How do I read an Xorg log?
Search the log for (EE) markers for errors and (WW) for warnings. Driver load lines name the active GPU path. Timestamps plus console numbers pick the right file when several exist.
Can I change where Xorg logs?
Yes. Pass a logfile argument when starting X as root. Rootless sessions ignore the override by design. Most users should leave the default path alone.
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