[Bug 2100718] [NEW] GRUB2 Configuration Issue: GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE ignored when GRUB_RECORDFAIL_TIMEOUT is not set

[Frédéric LAVOINE]

Public bug reported:

Subject: GRUB2 Configuration Issue: GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE ignored when
GRUB_RECORDFAIL_TIMEOUT is not set

Dear Ubuntu/Canonical Team,

I'm writing to report an issue with GRUB2 configuration in Ubuntu that
affects the boot experience.

Issue Description:
When GRUB_TIMEOUT and GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE are set in /etc/default/grub but GRUB_RECORDFAIL_TIMEOUT is not defined, the system ignores these settings and defaults to a 30-second timeout with menu display, regardless of the GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE setting.

Steps to Reproduce:
1. Set in /etc/default/grub:
   GRUB_TIMEOUT=0
   GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE=hidden
2. Run sudo update-grub
3. Reboot the system
4. Observe that GRUB still shows a menu with a 30-second timeout

Expected Behavior:
The system should respect GRUB_TIMEOUT and GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE settings.

Actual Behavior:
The system uses hardcoded 30-second timeout values from /etc/grub.d/00_header:
set timeout=${GRUB_RECORDFAIL_TIMEOUT:-30}
Workaround:
Adding GRUB_RECORDFAIL_TIMEOUT=5 to /etc/default/grub resolves the timeout issue, but this is not documented in the GRUB configuration manual pages.

System Information:
- Ubuntu Version: 24.10 (Oracular Oriole)"
- GRUB Version: grub-install (GRUB) 2.12-5ubuntu5.1
- Installation Type: Server + sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop

This behavior is confusing for users who expect their GRUB configuration
to be applied as specified. It also unnecessarily extends boot time when
a faster timeout is desired.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Best regards,
Frédéric Lavoine

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 24.10
Package: grub2 (not installed)
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 6.11.0-18.18-generic 6.11.11
Uname: Linux 6.11.0-18-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.30.0-0ubuntu4
Architecture: amd64
CasperMD5CheckResult: pass
CurrentDesktop: ubuntu:GNOME
Date: Sun Mar  2 21:31:26 2025
InstallationDate: Installed on 2025-03-01 (1 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu-Server 24.10 "Oracular Oriole" - Release amd64 (20241007.1)
SourcePackage: grub2
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

** Affects: grub2 (Ubuntu)
     Importance: Undecided
         Status: New


** Tags: amd64 apport-bug oracular wayland-session

** Attachment added: "grub.cfg fixed"
   https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/2100718/+attachment/5861666/+files/grub.cfg

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/2100718

Title:
  GRUB2 Configuration Issue: GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE ignored when
  GRUB_RECORDFAIL_TIMEOUT is not set

Status in grub2 package in Ubuntu:
  New

Bug description:
  Subject: GRUB2 Configuration Issue: GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE ignored when
  GRUB_RECORDFAIL_TIMEOUT is not set

  Dear Ubuntu/Canonical Team,

  I'm writing to report an issue with GRUB2 configuration in Ubuntu that
  affects the boot experience.

  Issue Description:
  When GRUB_TIMEOUT and GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE are set in /etc/default/grub but GRUB_RECORDFAIL_TIMEOUT is not defined, the system ignores these settings and defaults to a 30-second timeout with menu display, regardless of the GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE setting.

  Steps to Reproduce:
  1. Set in /etc/default/grub:
     GRUB_TIMEOUT=0
     GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE=hidden
  2. Run sudo update-grub
  3. Reboot the system
  4. Observe that GRUB still shows a menu with a 30-second timeout

  Expected Behavior:
  The system should respect GRUB_TIMEOUT and GRUB_TIMEOUT_STYLE settings.

  Actual Behavior:
  The system uses hardcoded 30-second timeout values from /etc/grub.d/00_header:
  set timeout=${GRUB_RECORDFAIL_TIMEOUT:-30}
  Workaround:
  Adding GRUB_RECORDFAIL_TIMEOUT=5 to /etc/default/grub resolves the timeout issue, but this is not documented in the GRUB configuration manual pages.

  System Information:
  - Ubuntu Version: 24.10 (Oracular Oriole)"
  - GRUB Version: grub-install (GRUB) 2.12-5ubuntu5.1
  - Installation Type: Server + sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop

  This behavior is confusing for users who expect their GRUB
  configuration to be applied as specified. It also unnecessarily
  extends boot time when a faster timeout is desired.

  Thank you for your attention to this matter.

  Best regards,
  Frédéric Lavoine

  ProblemType: Bug
  DistroRelease: Ubuntu 24.10
  Package: grub2 (not installed)
  ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 6.11.0-18.18-generic 6.11.11
  Uname: Linux 6.11.0-18-generic x86_64
  ApportVersion: 2.30.0-0ubuntu4
  Architecture: amd64
  CasperMD5CheckResult: pass
  CurrentDesktop: ubuntu:GNOME
  Date: Sun Mar  2 21:31:26 2025
  InstallationDate: Installed on 2025-03-01 (1 days ago)
  InstallationMedia: Ubuntu-Server 24.10 "Oracular Oriole" - Release amd64 (20241007.1)
  SourcePackage: grub2
  UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

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