So, I’ve been trying for hours to rotate the screen without any success — nothing turns. And I didn’t just try what’s described in the documentation, I tried a lot more. It seems like the system was built in a way that makes it impossible to rotate anything here. And just simple turning the screen around seems obvious, but because of the knobs and the cables its not a good solution. I also have noticed that more users had this issue in the past by reading several posts. So i am still in need for help.
We have here an open source project, so imho it should be not impossible to find a solution for that without completly rebuild the system. At the end it should be just a rotate command in a config file that should do the trick, but seriously, i tried it in many ways, nothing works.
I also have tried with help of AI: Here are the results from testing it without changing the system: Here’s the English translation of your text while preserving its technical tone and structure:
The hard truth is: if neither xrandr nor /sys/class/graphics/fb0/rotate makes the display rotate, then this board/kernel practically does not support real software rotation of the HDMI output.
What your tests show
You have an fb0/rotate file, but although echo 2 > /sys/class/graphics/fb0/rotate changes the value, it doesn’t change the image — meaning the driver ignores the rotation internally; the file is just a “dummy.”
At the DRM output card0-HDMI-A-1, there is no rotate option at all, so rotation isn’t supported at that level.
xrandr doesn’t take effect because the system essentially runs in console/framebuffer mode, and the graphics driver doesn’t implement RandR rotation.
In short: the kernel/display driver of your SovolZero does not genuinely support rotating this HDMI touchscreen.
Realistic options without “breaking” the system
Physical solution (most robust option)
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Mount the touch/display so that the image is the right way up (i.e., rotate the panel physically by 180°).
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You may need to modify the enclosure or reroute cables.
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It’s unexciting but safe since no boot configurations need to be changed.
Flash a custom kernel / different image
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Use an image that’s documented to support display rotation for exactly this board/display.
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For example, a specific Armbian/Debian image from the printer or display manufacturer (similar to Waveshare’s images for their HDMI LCDs).
However, this is a more invasive step (a backup of the SD card/eMMC is strongly recommended) and is best suited if you’re prepared to reinstall the system if needed.
Here you can see on the bottom right 3 little knobs for controlling the screen and shortest way for all cable is right site, so if i have to reroute the cable from left to right its a mess. But if there is no solution i have to redesign my already built case.
