[Help] GUI Not Displaying on Official 7" DSI Screen with Kali on Raspberry Pi 5

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1

Device Model: Raspberry Pi 5
Operating System: Kali Linux (latest version 6.6.74)
Display: Official Raspberry Pi 7-inch DSI Display (Second Generation)

Issue Description:
I am using Kali Linux on a Raspberry Pi 5 with the official second-generation 7-inch DSI display. After booting, the command-line interface displays normally. However, when entering the graphical user interface (GUI), the screen shows no system content—only a burn-in-like effect appears.

What have you tried:

  • Verified that the ribbon cable is properly connected
  • Replaced the power adapter to ensure stable power supply
  • Modified /boot/firmware/config.txt (e.g., added dtoverlay=vc4-kms-dsi-ili9881-7inch)
  • Tested with an HDMI display, which shows the GUI correctly

Help Needed:

  • Has anyone successfully used Kali + the official DSI display on a Pi 5?
  • Are there specific drivers or configurations required to make the GUI work properly?

PI5-DSI
PI5-DSI696×376 158 KB

2

in your config.txt try this instead;
dtoverlay=vc4-kms-v3d

3

Added by default, but not working

4

looks like it just needs a screen resolution override, have a look down the bottom of this page;

and its says this;
To do a “manual override” and add the correct screen dimensions add this to your /boot/config.txt file:

max_usb_current=1hdmi_force_hotplug=1config_hdmi_boost=7hdmi_group=2hdmi_mode=87hdmi_drive=1hdmi_cvt 800 480 60 6 0 0 0