# Fedora 45 replaces kernel fbcon with userspace kmscon for virtual consoles

> **Key takeaway:** Fedora 45 will switch its default virtual console from the kernel-space fbcon driver to the userspace kmscon utility, affecting scripts, GPU handoff behavior, and console configuration workflows.

**Published:** 2026-10-19T08:00:00+00:00 
**Source:** Planet Fedora 
**Category:** distro-planet 
**Canonical URL:** https://fosswire.org/news/fedora-45-replaces-kernel-fbcon-with-userspace-kmscon-for-vi.html 

## Summary
Starting with Fedora 45, the distribution will replace the legacy kernel framebuffer console (fbcon) with kmscon, a userspace terminal emulator. The change removes fbcon's kernel-space security risks and modernizes font rendering, scrolling, and mouse support, but introduces breaking changes for administrators: virtual consoles now use pseudo-tty devices (/dev/pts/* instead of /dev/tty*), GPU access requires explicit release via kmscon-launch-gui, and traditional tools like setfont and loadkeys no longer function.

## What changes with kmscon in Fedora 45
- **Device paths**: tty command returns /dev/pts/0 instead of /dev/tty1; scripts hardcoding tty device paths must be updated
- **GPU exclusivity**: kmscon holds the DRM GPU interface exclusively; launching graphical programs requires `kmscon-launch-gui <command>` to release the GPU
- **Font system**: setfont is ignored; kmscon uses built-in unifont, freetype-rendered fonts, or psf fonts configured in /etc/kmscon/kmscon.conf
- **Keyboard layout**: loadkeys is ignored; layout changes go through `localectl set-keymap` via dbus
- **Kernel messages**: no longer mixed into tty1 by default; use `dmesg -w` or a dedicated kmscon instance
- **Fallback option**: one tty can retain fbcon via `systemctl mask kmsconvt@tty5 && systemctl enable --now getty@tty5`

## Why it matters
The migration enables Fedora to eventually drop fbdev emulation from the kernel, aligning console infrastructure with modern DRM-only GPU drivers. Other distributions may evaluate similar moves as kmscon matures.