MM keeps freezing

requiemmg

Hi,

I have 2 MagicMirrors installed. Both are running fine until they freeze. Freezing may happen after 5 minutes, often it happens when I xrdp into the desktop, but this is not a neccessary condition. It may also happen after 6 hours or a day. But it happens. First I thought this was a cooling problem, I set the soft_temp_limit to 70 degrees Celsius and bought cooling cases, temp is around 48-55°C now when running for hours, but it still happens and I have no idea why.

My setup (2x the same):
Raspberry Pi 3B+ with 16GB Class 10 microSD-Card in a cooling case
WLAN Connection (ethernet not available at the MM mounting points)
Latest Raspbian 10 image.

Installation of MM with Sam Detweiler’s installation script. pm2 autostart enabled and working, screensaver switched off.

Active modules:

Alert
Updatenotification
MMM-COVID-19
MyCovid19
MMM-WeatherOrNot
clock
calendar
MMM-Vrr
MMM-PlexNowPlaying
MMM-News

Currently disabled modules (by setting disabled: true in config.js)

MMM-AVstock
MMM-Rain-Radar

Each module is working. I have no idea why MM is freezing (and while I am writing this, one of the Mirrors froze again). Can someone walk me through troubleshooting this, it is very annoying.

BKeyport

Does the whole system freeze or just the MM Software?

requiemmg

Whole system. So, even a cronjob with sudo reboot every x hours does not help.
As the Pis came bundles with some noname SD cards, I just ordered 2 new cards to rule out any problems with them.

BKeyport

That would be my first fix.

sdetweil

@requiemmg i have started configuring my systems to boot from SD, but RUN from USB disk (SSD is fast an reliable)

https://www.tomshardware.com/news/boot-raspberry-pi-from-usb,39782.html

requiemmg

Okay, getting back to this. @sdetweil thanks for the tip, I bought a 32gb usb stick and made my Pi3B+ boot from it. Complete new setup of Raspbian Buster. Boots up fine.
Complete new setup of MM2 with your script, works fine.
Reinstalled modules and config, works fine.

Cooling with passive cooling case, Temp not higher than 55°C.

Setup a reboot cronjob every 6 hours.

Still, the system keeps freezing. Sometimes after minutes, sometimes after days.

Only other software installed is the lights-out client (which needs mono). (green-it-software.com/)

I have no idea on what to look for or what to do to fix this :-(

requiemmg

Anyone? :-( Both mirrors keep freezing… (whole system).

bhepler

@requiemmg - I have some general troubleshooting suggestions, but unfortunately nothing approaching a solution.

For starters, you can examine the system log at /var/log/syslog which may give you some insight to system-level events. My gut tells me it’s a power problem, but my gut is notoriously bad at debugging.

Since you have two mirrors, I would back up your config.js file on one and sacrifice it to the troubleshooting effort. Reflash the SD card, format the USB and reinstall Raspbian. Perform a barebones Mirror installation on it using @sdetweil’s script. Do not install anything other than the OS and Magic Mirror framework. Then wait and see if the freeze behavior affects the slicked mirror.

If the rebuild mirror stays up, start adding things one at a time. I would start with the Lights-Out client as it is unknown to me and I am inherently suspicious of it.

requiemmg

Thanks. I have never seen the lightning bolt icon on any of the mirrors displays. I use the USB output of the display controller. Power comes from this https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B01AA83VHA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and is attached to this display controller: https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0756ZBB2G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

bhepler

@requiemmg IIRC, the lightning bolt went away with Raspbian Buster.

Fozi

@requiemmg Did I understand correctly that the display controller powers the Pi via its USB port? If so, I very strongly believe that this might be the source for the problem for two reasons:

The USB port does not provide enough power for the Pi
If the display controller goes in standby, then probably the power provided via its USB port might also be reduced.

I would always recommend to connect the Pi directly to a dedicated power supply, which can supply min. 2.5A.

BKeyport

@Fozi Oooh, good call. Strong power is good power. Part of the reason I upgraded to Pi4’s for most everything, honestly. Got tired of the weak power supplies on the old USB spec, so…

requiemmg

Okay, I’ll try this. Did also not know that the bolt signal is no longer available with current Raspbian.
Oh, the controller does not enter standby, I have it running 24/7.
Ordered a power supply with 3A to be sure. I’ll report back.

BKeyport

FYI. the bolt is still active, fresh copy of the OS downloaded from their website, on RPI3b+. whipped it together so to test for mirror frame placement.

bhepler

@BKeyport - Good to know, thanks.

requiemmg

So, both mirrors are now running on an external 3A power supply.
Unfortunately, the still keep freezing. I fear that I have to setup from scratch, step by step, to see what is causing this. :-(

BKeyport

Yeah, that would be a good idea, who knows what got screwed up on the old SD cards with the freezing.

requiemmg

Installed to both fresh SD cards as well as USB stick before, fresh setup! Only thing that was copied over was the config.js and main.css

requiemmg

I think I figured out:
As soon as I use the MMM-News module, MagicMirror will freeze at some point. Uninstalled it - no issues.