Black Screen on Kali Linux

[freitas666]

I followed the procedure from https://github.com/ZitaoTech/Hackberry-Pi_Zero/tree/main/Screen. The Hackberry shows Kali Linux starting, but then the screen goes black and nothing shows. I have normal SSH access, but the screen stays black on the Hackberry itself. How can I resolve this?

[freitas666]

Probably some bug in new kali linux 2025 (19/03/2025)...... i tested with old version and worked great!!!

[sportyooz]

Im having the same issue changed OS not able to get screen to load connected thru SSH all the updated and drivers for the screen

[venatiodecorus]

i got a black screen on the latest version so i downloaded 2024.4 and got it to boot to desktop, but wifi isn't working. what version did you use @freitas666 ?

[kadirkurt]

💪 Fixing Display and Wi-Fi Issues on Kali Linux (Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W)

Tested Image:
kali-linux-2025.1c-raspberry-pi-zero-2-w-armhf.img.xz

This guide explains how to resolve two common issues when using Kali Linux on a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W:

1. 💥 Display goes black right before the desktop loads
2. 📶 Wi-Fi (wlan0) appears as "unmanaged" in NetworkManager

---

✅ 1. Display Fix — Black Screen Before Desktop

If your DPI display (e.g. Hackberry Pi or HyperPixel 4) shows boot text but turns black when the desktop should appear, apply the following configuration.

Edit /boot/config.txt and replace the relevant section with:

# Enable custom DPI display (720x720)
dtoverlay=hyperpixel4

disable_overscan=1
overscan_left=0
overscan_right=0
overscan_top=0
overscan_bottom=0

framebuffer_width=720
framebuffer_height=720

enable_dpi_lcd=1
display_default_lcd=1
dpi_group=2
dpi_mode=87
dpi_output_format=0x5f026
dpi_timings=720 0 20 20 40 720 0 15 15 15 0 0 0 60 0 36720000 4

# IMPORTANT: Disable KMS to prevent black screen
# Comment out or remove the following line if present:
# dtoverlay=vc4-kms-v3d

🧐 Without disabling KMS, the system may boot to a black screen due to driver conflict with DPI displays.

---

✅ 2. Wi-Fi Fix — wlan0 Unmanaged in GUI

If you see wlan0 listed as unmanaged and can't scan or connect to Wi-Fi in the desktop environment:

🧹 Step 1: Enable management of interfaces in NetworkManager

Edit the configuration:

sudo nano /etc/NetworkManager/NetworkManager.conf

Ensure it contains:

[main]
plugins=ifupdown,keyfile

[ifupdown]
managed=true

🧹 Step 2: Clean /etc/network/interfaces

Edit:

sudo nano /etc/network/interfaces

And make sure it only contains:

auto lo
iface lo inet loopback

Remove any lines referencing wlan0.

🔄 Step 3: Restart NetworkManager

sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager

🛠️ Step 4: Force wlan0 to be managed (if still unmanaged)

If wlan0 still shows as unmanaged, fix it manually:

nmcli device set wlan0 managed yes

---

📱 Now Connect to Wi-Fi

You can now connect using:

• nmtui (text-based interface)
• GUI (click the Wi-Fi icon and select your network)

---

🧚‍♂️ Tested With

• Image: kali-linux-2025.1c-raspberry-pi-zero-2-w-armhf.img.xz
• Device: Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W
• Display: HyperPixel 4-compatible DPI screen (720x720)
• Kernel: 6.x ARMHF (32-bit)
• Interface: XFCE

[Sophia-64]

If your DPI display (e.g. Hackberry Pi or HyperPixel 4) shows boot text but turns black when the desktop should appear, apply the following configuration.

Edit /boot/config.txt and replace the relevant section with:

Enable custom DPI display (720x720)

dtoverlay=hyperpixel4

disable_overscan=1
overscan_left=0
overscan_right=0
overscan_top=0
overscan_bottom=0

framebuffer_width=720
framebuffer_height=720

enable_dpi_lcd=1
display_default_lcd=1
dpi_group=2
dpi_mode=87
dpi_output_format=0x5f026
dpi_timings=720 0 20 20 40 720 0 15 15 15 0 0 0 60 0 36720000 4

IMPORTANT: Disable KMS to prevent black screen

Comment out or remove the following line if present:

dtoverlay=vc4-kms-v3d

Isn't this just trying to bypass it with the Hyperpixel4 legacy driver?

[CyberAustin]

💪 Fixing Display and Wi-Fi Issues on Kali Linux (Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W)

Tested Image: kali-linux-2025.1c-raspberry-pi-zero-2-w-armhf.img.xz

This guide explains how to resolve two common issues when using Kali Linux on a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W:

1. 💥 **Display goes black right before the desktop loads**

2. 📶 **Wi-Fi (wlan0) appears as "unmanaged" in NetworkManager**

✅ 1. Display Fix — Black Screen Before Desktop

If your DPI display (e.g. Hackberry Pi or HyperPixel 4) shows boot text but turns black when the desktop should appear, apply the following configuration.

Edit /boot/config.txt and replace the relevant section with:

Enable custom DPI display (720x720)

dtoverlay=hyperpixel4

disable_overscan=1
overscan_left=0
overscan_right=0
overscan_top=0
overscan_bottom=0

framebuffer_width=720
framebuffer_height=720

enable_dpi_lcd=1
display_default_lcd=1
dpi_group=2
dpi_mode=87
dpi_output_format=0x5f026
dpi_timings=720 0 20 20 40 720 0 15 15 15 0 0 0 60 0 36720000 4

IMPORTANT: Disable KMS to prevent black screen

Comment out or remove the following line if present:

dtoverlay=vc4-kms-v3d

🧐 Without disabling KMS, the system may boot to a black screen due to driver conflict with DPI displays.

✅ 2. Wi-Fi Fix — wlan0 Unmanaged in GUI

If you see wlan0 listed as unmanaged and can't scan or connect to Wi-Fi in the desktop environment:

🧹 Step 1: Enable management of interfaces in NetworkManager

Edit the configuration:

sudo nano /etc/NetworkManager/NetworkManager.conf

Ensure it contains:

[main]
plugins=ifupdown,keyfile

[ifupdown]
managed=true

🧹 Step 2: Clean /etc/network/interfaces

Edit:

sudo nano /etc/network/interfaces

And make sure it only contains:

auto lo
iface lo inet loopback

Remove any lines referencing wlan0.

🔄 Step 3: Restart NetworkManager

sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager

🛠️ Step 4: Force wlan0 to be managed (if still unmanaged)

If wlan0 still shows as unmanaged, fix it manually:

nmcli device set wlan0 managed yes

📱 Now Connect to Wi-Fi

You can now connect using:

* `nmtui` (text-based interface)

* GUI (click the Wi-Fi icon and select your network)

🧚‍♂️ Tested With

* **Image:** `kali-linux-2025.1c-raspberry-pi-zero-2-w-armhf.img.xz`

* **Device:** Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W

* **Display:** HyperPixel 4-compatible DPI screen (720x720)

* **Kernel:** 6.x ARMHF (32-bit)

* **Interface:** XFCE

This did the trick for me, for the display anyway.

[andrhayn2021]

i have tried the fix above and still does not work, 1c and as well as 4, both are not working at all, dtoverlay=vc4-kms-dpi-hyperpixel4sq if i add this under all, terminal works fine until you startx and then goes to the black screen, does anyone know and where to put the code, Edit /boot/config.txt and replace the relevant section with: what is relevant,