The upcoming Linux 7.4 kernel will introduce support for HDMI 2.1 features, including AMD FreeSync, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). A key change in this release is the transition of Fixed Rate Link (FRL) technology from a disabled state to enabled by default within the AMDGPU driver.
AMD submitted the feature pull request to DRM-Next on September 10, 2026. While FRL was previously integrated into the Linux 7.2 kernel, it remained inactive to ensure stability. The implementation follows collaborative efforts between AMD and Valve to bypass previous licensing restrictions imposed by the HDMI Forum, which had long blocked open-source support for HDMI 2.1.
Valve engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais confirmed that the software stack for Steam Machine now supports both FreeSync and HDMI Forum VRR displays. Although current product pages still list HDMI 2.0, future software updates are expected to enable 4K 240Hz DSC output. The merge window for Linux 7.4 is anticipated for late October 2026, with a full release expected by late 2026 or early 2027.
