Change Boot Splash Screen on Ubuntu

Ubuntu lets you change the boot splash screen. This cool feature adds a personal touch to your computer startup. You can customize the Ubuntu boot splash screen by picking a new theme or making your own image.

The boot splash screen shows up when Ubuntu starts. It’s the first thing you see after turning on your computer. Changing it can make your system feel more like your own. Ubuntu uses a tool called Plymouth to handle the boot splash screen.

There are many themes to pick from. You can also create a custom image if you want something unique. The process to change the splash screen is easy. It takes just a few steps in the terminal. With some basic commands, you can give your Ubuntu startup a fresh new look.

Ways To Change Your Ubuntu Splash Screen

1. The Simple Swap (For Basic Customization)

If you just want to change the image without diving into themes, this is the quickest method:

Find Your Current Splash Screen: It’s usually located in /usr/share/backgrounds/. The filename varies, but it’s often something like ubuntu-mate-jammy.png (replace “jammy” with your Ubuntu version).
Prepare Your New Image: Edit your desired image using GIMP or another image editor to match the dimensions of the existing splash screen.
Swap the Files:
- Rename the current splash screen to something like old_splash.png as a backup.
- Rename your new image to match the exact filename of the original splash screen.

2. Using Plymouth Manager (More Control, Still User-Friendly)

Plymouth Manager provides a graphical interface to manage splash screens:¹

Install Plymouth Manager: Open a terminal and run: Bashsudo apt install plymouth-manager
Launch Plymouth Manager: Bashsudo plymouth-manager
Install New Splash Screen:
- Click “Install.”
- Navigate to your downloaded .plymouth theme file and select it.
Set as Default: Select your new theme and click “Set as Default.”²
Restart: Reboot your computer to see the changes.

3. Creating a Custom Plymouth Theme (For Advanced Users)

This method offers the most flexibility but requires some scripting knowledge:

Understand Plymouth Scripts: Plymouth uses a scripting language to define themes.³ You’ll need to create or modify scripts to achieve your desired look.
Create a Theme Directory: Create a new directory in /usr/share/plymouth/themes/ with a unique name for your theme.
Create the Theme Files:
- theme.plymouth: This file defines the theme’s name, description, and script file.
- script.plymouth: This script file contains the code to generate your splash screen.
Install the Theme: Use plymouth-set-default-theme to set your new theme as the default.

Important Notes:

Backup: Always back up your original splash screen files before making changes.
Resolution: Make sure your custom splash image matches your screen resolution for the best results.
Troubleshooting: If you encounter issues, check the Plymouth logs in /var/log/plymouth-debug.log for clues.
Ubuntu Versions: The exact process might vary slightly depending on your Ubuntu version. Refer to the official Ubuntu documentation or online resources for specific instructions.

Understanding Boot Splash Screens

Boot splash screens are graphical displays shown during system startup. They hide technical boot messages and create a smoother user experience. Plymouth plays a key role in managing these screens on Ubuntu systems.

The Role of Plymouth in Ubuntu

Plymouth is a boot animation program used in Ubuntu. It shows a graphical display during system startup and shutdown. Plymouth works with the kernel to create a flicker-free boot process.

Plymouth supports various themes. These themes control how the boot splash looks. Users can change themes to customize their boot experience.

Plymouth starts very early in the boot process. It handles the transition from the BIOS screen to the login screen. This creates a seamless visual experience for users.

Splash Screen Versus Boot Screen

A splash screen is different from a boot screen. The splash screen appears after the system has started booting. It hides technical messages and shows a logo or progress bar.

The boot screen comes before the splash screen. It’s part of the BIOS or UEFI firmware. This screen often shows the computer manufacturer’s logo.

Splash screens can be changed more easily than boot screens. Many Linux distributions let users customize their splash screens.

Historical Context: Usplash and Xsplash

Before Plymouth, Ubuntu used other programs for boot animations. Usplash was an early tool for this purpose. It was simpler and had more limited graphics.

Xsplash came after Usplash. It offered better graphics and smoother transitions. Xsplash worked with the X Window System, which handles graphics in Linux.

Ubuntu switched to Plymouth in version 10.04. Plymouth offered better performance and more features. It also worked well with different graphics cards and screen resolutions.

These changes show how Ubuntu has tried to improve the boot experience over time. Each new tool added more features and better graphics.

Preparing to Customize the Boot Splash Screen

Before changing your Ubuntu boot splash screen, you need to set things up. This includes getting the right tools, checking your current theme, and picking a good image.

Prerequisites and Tools Required

To change your boot splash screen, you’ll need a few things:

Admin access to your Ubuntu system
Terminal app
Text editor (like gedit or nano)
Image editing software (optional)

First, open the Terminal. You can do this by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T. Then, install Plymouth, which manages boot animations:

sudo apt install plymouth-themes

This will give you more theme options. You may also want to install the GIMP image editor if you plan to make your own splash screen.

Assessing Current Theme and Configuration

Next, check your current boot splash theme. In the Terminal, type:

sudo update-alternatives --config default.plymouth

This shows a list of installed themes. The one with an asterisk (*) is active.

To see how your current theme looks, use these commands:

sudo plymouthd
sudo plymouth --show-splash

This will display your current boot splash. Press Ctrl + C to exit.

Choosing a Suitable Resolution and Image

Pick an image that fits your screen size. Most Ubuntu systems use a 16:9 ratio. Common resolutions are 1920×1080 or 1366×768.

Your image should be:

In PNG format
The right size for your screen
Simple and easy to see

You can make your own image or find one online. Remember, this image will show up briefly during boot. Keep it clean and basic for the best look.

Installing and Managing Plymouth Themes

Plymouth themes let you change how your Ubuntu computer looks when it starts up. You can pick from many cool designs or make your own.

Identifying Existing Plymouth Themes

Plymouth themes are stored in the /usr/share/plymouth/themes folder. To see what themes you have, open a terminal and type:

ls /usr/share/plymouth/themes

This shows a list of folders. Each folder is a different theme. The current theme is set in a file called default.plymouth. To check which theme is active, use this command:

grep Theme /etc/plymouth/plymouthd.conf

It will show the name of your current boot screen theme.

Acquiring New Themes from Gnome-look.org

Gnome-look.org has lots of Plymouth themes you can download. Here’s how to get a new theme:

Go to the website
Click on “Plymouth Themes”
Pick a theme you like
Download the file (usually ends in .tar.gz)

Save the file somewhere easy to find, like your Downloads folder.

Theme Installation Process

To install a new theme:

Open a terminal
Go to where you saved the theme file
Unzip the file:
```
tar -xzvf theme-name.tar.gz
```
Move the unzipped folder to the themes directory:
```
sudo mv theme-name /usr/share/plymouth/themes/
```

Install the theme:

sudo update-alternatives --install /usr/share/plymouth/themes/default.plymouth default.plymouth /usr/share/plymouth/themes/theme-name/theme-name.plymouth 100

Replace “theme-name” with the actual name of your theme.

Switching Between Installed Themes

To change your Plymouth theme:

Open a terminal

Type:

sudo update-alternatives --config default.plymouth

You’ll see a list of themes. Type the number of the theme you want
Press Enter
Update the changes:
```
sudo update-initramfs -u
```

Restart your computer to see the new boot screen. If you don’t like it, you can always switch back using the same steps.

Creating Custom Plymouth Themes

Custom Plymouth themes let you make a unique boot screen. You can change images and scripts to match your style. Let’s explore how to set up and edit your own theme.

Establishing a Theme Directory

To start, make a new folder for your theme. Put it in the right place:

Open a terminal
Type: sudo mkdir /usr/share/plymouth/themes/my-custom-theme
Replace “my-custom-theme” with your theme name

This creates a space for your files. Next, copy a basic theme as a starting point:

sudo cp -r /usr/share/plymouth/themes/ubuntu-logo/* /usr/share/plymouth/themes/my-custom-theme/

This gives you a template to work from.

Editing Image and Script Files

Now it’s time to change the look of your theme. You’ll need to edit images and scripts.

For images:

Use a program like GIMP to edit .png files
Change colors, add logos, or make new designs
Keep the same file names as the original theme

For scripts:

Open the .script file in a text editor
Change text or add new functions
Be careful not to break the code

Test your changes often to make sure they work.

Handling the .plymouth File

The .plymouth file tells Ubuntu about your theme. You need to update it:

Open the .plymouth file in a text editor
Change the theme name and description
Update file paths if needed

Here’s an example of what to change:

[Plymouth Theme]
Name=My Custom Theme
Description=A theme I made
ModuleName=script

[script]

ImageDir=/usr/share/plymouth/themes/my-custom-theme ScriptFile=/usr/share/plymouth/themes/my-custom-theme/my-custom-theme.script

Save the file when you’re done. Your new theme is ready to use!

Configuring System Settings

Changing the boot splash screen in Ubuntu involves updating several system settings. This process includes setting the default Plymouth theme, modifying GRUB settings, and regenerating the initramfs.

Setting the Default Plymouth Theme

To set a new default Plymouth theme, use the update-alternatives command. Open a terminal and type:

sudo update-alternatives --config default.plymouth

This command shows a list of installed themes. Pick the number of the theme you want and press Enter. The system will set your chosen theme as the default.

You can also add new themes. Download a theme and put its files in the /usr/share/plymouth/themes folder. Then run:

sudo update-alternatives --install /usr/share/plymouth/themes/default.plymouth default.plymouth /usr/share/plymouth/themes/your-theme/your-theme.plymouth 100

Replace “your-theme” with the actual theme name.

Updating GRUB Configuration

GRUB manages the boot process. To show the splash screen, you need to update its settings. Edit the GRUB config file:

sudo nano /etc/default/grub

Find the line starting with GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT. Add “quiet splash” to its value:

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash"

Save the file and exit the editor. Then update GRUB:

sudo update-grub

This change tells GRUB to use the splash screen during boot.

Regenerating the Initramfs

The initramfs is a small filesystem loaded during boot. It contains the Plymouth theme. After changing the theme, you need to update the initramfs:

sudo update-initramfs -u

This command rebuilds the initramfs with the new theme. It may take a few moments to complete.

After finishing these steps, reboot your system. You should see your new boot splash screen. If it doesn’t appear, check your settings and try the process again.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Boot splash screen problems can be fixed with the right steps. Issues often stem from theme conflicts, display errors, or system glitches.

Diagnosing Plymouth Theme Problems

Plymouth themes control the boot splash screen’s look. Sometimes these themes don’t work right. To check for theme issues:

Open a terminal
Type sudo plymouth-set-default-theme -l
Press Enter

This shows all installed themes. If your chosen theme isn’t listed, it may not be installed correctly. To fix this:

Reinstall the theme package
Use sudo plymouth-set-default-theme [theme-name]
Run sudo update-initramfs -u

If the theme still doesn’t show, try a different one. The default Ubuntu theme is usually a safe choice.

Addressing Resolution and Display Errors

Wrong screen resolution can make the boot splash look bad. To fix this:

Edit the GRUB config file:
sudo nano /etc/default/grub
Find the line GRUB_GFXMODE
Set it to your screen’s native resolution
Save and exit
Run sudo update-grub

For Ubuntu 22.04, you might need to add GRUB_GFXPAYLOAD_LINUX=keep to the file. This keeps the GRUB resolution during boot.

If the screen goes blank, try adding nomodeset to the kernel boot options. This uses a basic graphics mode that often works better.

Fixing Boot Splash Screen Anomalies

Strange boot splash behavior can have many causes. Here are some fixes:

Missing logo or spinner: Check if Plymouth is installed with dpkg -s plymouth
Flickering screen: Update graphics drivers
BRGT-Fallback appearing: This means Plymouth can’t load. Check your video drivers

If nothing else works:

Boot into recovery mode
Choose ‘Enable networking’
Run sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
Reboot normally

This updates your system and can fix many boot splash issues. If problems continue, consider using a simpler theme or disabling the splash screen entirely.

Applying Advanced Customizations

Ubuntu lets you make your boot splash screen look even cooler. You can add special pictures and make the startup more fun to watch.

Incorporating a Logo or Watermark

To add a logo or watermark to your boot splash screen, you need to edit some files. First, make your logo image. It should be a PNG file about 128×128 pixels.

Next, find the theme folder:

/usr/share/plymouth/themes/ubuntu-logo

Copy the original logo file as a backup. Then replace it with your new one. Name the new file the same as the old one.

Lastly, update the system:

sudo update-initramfs -u

This will add your logo to the boot screen.

Adjusting the Boot Animation

You can change how the boot animation looks. Find the theme script file in the same folder as before. It’s usually called “ubuntu-logo.script”.

Open this file in a text editor. Look for lines that control the animation. You might see words like “sprite” or “image”.

Change the numbers after these words. This will alter the animation speed or style. Try small changes first. Then test to see how it looks.

Remember to make a backup of the original file before you edit it.

Enhancing with Desktop Background Integrations

You can match your boot screen to your desktop background. This makes your whole system look more cohesive.

First, pick a background image you like. Make sure it’s not too detailed. Simple patterns work best.

Copy this image to the plymouth themes folder. Rename it to something like “BRGT-Fallback.png”.

Edit the theme script file again. Add a line that points to your new background image. This tells the system to use it during boot.

Test your changes by rebooting. If you don’t like how it looks, you can always go back to the original files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ubuntu users often want to personalize their boot splash screen. This can be done by changing themes, logos, and settings. Here are some common questions about modifying the boot splash screen.

How can I customize the Plymouth splash theme in Ubuntu?

To change the Plymouth splash theme:

Open the terminal
Install new themes with: sudo apt install plymouth-themes
Choose a theme: sudo update-alternatives –config default.plymouth
Update the initramfs: sudo update-initramfs -u

Plymouth themes can add a unique look to your boot process.

What is the procedure to alter the boot logo on Ubuntu?

Changing the boot logo involves:

Finding a new image file
Resizing it to match the current logo size
Replacing the old logo file

The logo file is usually found in /usr/share/backgrounds. Edit it with GIMP to match the size of the current splash screen image.

How can I troubleshoot Ubuntu splash screen issues that do not display?

If your splash screen isn’t showing:

Check your graphics drivers
Make sure Plymouth is installed
Update your system
Check for conflicting themes

Sometimes, outdated drivers or system files can cause display problems.

Where can I find the settings to change boot options in Ubuntu?

Boot options can be changed in several places:

GRUB settings file (/etc/default/grub)
Plymouth configuration
Kernel parameters

GRUB settings affect things like timeout and default boot entry.

Is it possible to disable the Ubuntu splash screen, and how?

Yes, you can disable the splash screen:

Edit the GRUB configuration file
Remove “splash” from the GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT line
Update GRUB: sudo update-grub

This will show text boot messages instead of the graphical splash.

How can the splash screen resolution be modified in Ubuntu?

To change the splash screen resolution:

Edit /etc/default/grub
Find GRUB_GFXMODE
Set your desired resolution (e.g., 1920×1080)
Run sudo update-grub

This will adjust the boot screen resolution to match your display.