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How to Install Linux on Your GEEKOM Mini PC

Updated

Article ID Code: GK-LNX-01

GEEKOM Mini PCs can run Linux, but require a few BIOS adjustments before installation. This article covers everything you need to know to successfully install and run Linux on your GEEKOM device.

Question Go to
Which Linux distributions are compatible? Step 1
My Linux USB won't boot — only Ubuntu works Step 2 — Disable Secure Boot
I can't find the USB drive in the boot menu Step 3 — BIOS boot settings
Wi-Fi or Bluetooth not working after installation Step 4 — Driver installation
System won't boot after installation (GRUB issue) Step 5 — GRUB repair

Step 1: Choose a compatible Linux distribution

The following distributions have been tested and work well on GEEKOM Mini PCs:

Distribution Compatibility Notes
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS / 24.04 LTS ✅ Best compatibility Has Microsoft Secure Boot signature, boots without BIOS changes
Linux Mint 21+ ✅ Good Requires Secure Boot disabled
Fedora 38+ ✅ Good Has Secure Boot support
Debian 12+ ✅ Good Requires Secure Boot disabled
Manjaro / Arch Linux ⚠️ Requires setup No Secure Boot signature — must disable Secure Boot first
Kubuntu / Xubuntu ⚠️ Requires setup No Secure Boot signature — must disable Secure Boot first

Recommendation for beginners: Start with Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or Ubuntu 24.04 LTS — these have the best hardware support and require the fewest manual driver installations on GEEKOM hardware.

For Intel-based models (IT13, IT15, GT1 Mega AI): Intel CPUs generally have better Linux driver support than AMD for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. If Linux compatibility is a priority, Intel models are recommended.

Step 2: Disable Secure Boot in BIOS

Secure Boot is enabled by default on all GEEKOM Mini PCs. It only allows operating systems with a Microsoft signature to boot. Ubuntu and Fedora have this signature; most other distributions do not.

To disable Secure Boot:

  1. Restart the device and repeatedly press Del to enter BIOS.
  2. Navigate to the Security or Boot tab.
  3. Find Secure Boot and set it to Disabled.
  4. Press F4 to save and exit.

Note: Disabling Secure Boot does not affect Windows. You can re-enable it after Linux installation if needed, though most Linux users leave it disabled.

Step 3: Configure BIOS boot settings for USB installation

  1. Create a bootable Linux USB drive using Rufus (Windows) or Balena Etcher (cross-platform). When using Rufus, select GPT partition scheme and UEFI (non-CSM) target system — do not use Legacy/MBR mode.
  2. Insert the USB drive and restart. Press F7 or Del during startup to access the boot menu.
  3. Select your USB drive from the boot menu. If it does not appear, enter BIOS → Boot tab → ensure USB Boot is enabled and the USB drive is listed in the boot order.
  4. Proceed with the Linux installation as normal.

Important: If you plan to dual-boot Linux alongside Windows, do not delete the Windows EFI partition during installation. Select "Install alongside Windows" when prompted.

Step 4: Install Wi-Fi and Bluetooth drivers after installation

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth may not work immediately after installation on some GEEKOM models. This is a known limitation — Linux kernel support for certain network cards (MT7922, AW-XB591-NF, Realtek RTL8852) varies by kernel version.

First, identify your network card:

lspci | grep -i network
lsusb | grep -i bluetooth

Then follow the driver installation steps in GK-BT-04: Bluetooth not working under Linux and GK-LNX-02: Wi-Fi not working under Linux for your specific network card model.

Quick fix for Ubuntu/Debian-based systems:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
sudo ubuntu-drivers autoinstall

Restart after running these commands and check whether Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are now functional.

Step 5: Fix GRUB boot issues after installation

If the device boots directly into Windows after Linux installation (GRUB not appearing), or if GRUB shows an error, follow these steps:

  1. Boot from the Linux USB drive and select Try Linux (do not install).
  2. Open a terminal and run:
sudo mount /dev/nvme0n1p2 /mnt   # Replace with your Linux partition
sudo grub-install --target=x86_64-efi --efi-directory=/mnt/boot/efi --bootloader-id=GRUB
sudo update-grub
  1. Restart and GRUB should now appear at boot.

Note: Partition names (e.g. nvme0n1p2) vary by device. Run lsblk in the terminal to identify your partitions before running the above commands.

Important limitations

  • GEEKOM does not provide official Linux drivers or Linux-specific technical support. Linux installation is at the user's own risk.
  • Installing Linux does not void the 3-year warranty on the hardware. However, GEEKOM support can only assist with Windows-related issues.
  • If you need to restore Windows after a Linux installation, see: How to reinstall Windows on GEEKOM.

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