NVIDIA Drivers on Ubuntu: Install, Kernel Modules, and Common Issues

Introduction

NVIDIA graphics cards are widely used in both personal computing and professional environments due to their superior performance in rendering graphics and executing parallel computations. Installing the appropriate NVIDIA drivers on Ubuntu is crucial for leveraging the full potential of these GPUs. This installation enables functionalities such as hardware acceleration, improved gaming performance, and enhanced graphical capabilities in applications like CAD software, video editing tools, and gaming platforms.

This tutorial will guide you through the entire process of installing NVIDIA drivers on Ubuntu, utilizing the ubuntu-drivers tool for automatic installation and exploring the use of DKMS (Dynamic Kernel Module Support) for managing kernel modules. Understanding how to effectively install and troubleshoot these drivers will empower you to maintain a high-performance graphical environment on your Ubuntu system.

Prerequisites

• Ubuntu Version: This tutorial is applicable to Ubuntu 18.04 and later versions, including Ubuntu 20.04 and 22.04.
• Required Packages: You will need build-essential, dkms, and linux-headers-$(uname -r).
• Permissions: Root or sudo privileges are required to install drivers.
• Risks: Installing proprietary drivers may lead to potential system instability or conflicts with other drivers, particularly if the Nouveau open-source driver is already in use.

Core Concepts

• NVIDIA Drivers: Software that allows the operating system and applications to communicate with NVIDIA GPUs.
• DKMS (Dynamic Kernel Module Support): A framework for managing kernel modules, ensuring that installed modules are automatically rebuilt when the kernel is updated.
• ubuntu-drivers: A command-line tool that detects and installs the appropriate drivers for your system, including NVIDIA drivers.
• Kernel Modules: Object files that can be loaded into the kernel at runtime to extend its functionality without rebooting the system.
• Nouveau: The open-source driver for NVIDIA graphics cards; it may conflict with proprietary drivers.

When to Use

You should use NVIDIA proprietary drivers when you need:

• Enhanced performance for gaming or graphical applications.
• CUDA support for parallel computing tasks.
• Improved power management features.

Limits

• Proprietary drivers may not support all hardware features available in the open-source counterpart.
• Compatibility issues may arise with kernel updates.

Syntax/Commands

Command	Description
ubuntu-drivers devices	Lists available drivers for your hardware.
ubuntu-drivers autoinstall	Automatically installs recommended drivers.
dkms status	Displays the status of all DKMS modules.
dkms remove <module>	Removes a specific DKMS module.
dkms add -m <module>	Adds a module to DKMS for tracking.
dkms build <module>	Builds a DKMS module for the current kernel.
dkms install <module>	Installs the built DKMS module.

Practical Examples

1. Update Your System

Before installing the NVIDIA drivers, ensure your system is up to date.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

2. Check for Available Drivers

List available drivers for your NVIDIA hardware.

ubuntu-drivers devices

3. Autoinstall NVIDIA Drivers

Install the recommended NVIDIA driver automatically.

sudo ubuntu-drivers autoinstall

4. Verify Driver Installation

Check if the NVIDIA driver is loaded correctly.

nvidia-smi

This command shows the status of the NVIDIA driver and the GPU.

5. Check Kernel Headers

Ensure that the required kernel headers are installed.

sudo apt install linux-headers-$(uname -r)

6. Install DKMS

If DKMS is not installed, install it using:

sudo apt install dkms

7. Manage DKMS Modules

Add an NVIDIA module to DKMS (replace <module> with the actual module name).

sudo dkms add -m nvidia -v <version>

8. Build and Install Module

Build and install the DKMS module.

sudo dkms build -m nvidia -v <version>
sudo dkms install -m nvidia -v <version>

Real-World Scenarios

Scenario 1: Gaming on Ubuntu

You are a gamer who wants to play graphics-intensive games on Ubuntu. By following the installation process for NVIDIA drivers, using ubuntu-drivers autoinstall, and ensuring you have DKMS set up, you can enjoy an optimized gaming experience with high frame rates and stable performance.

Scenario 2: Machine Learning Development

As a data scientist, you need to leverage NVIDIA's CUDA for machine learning tasks. Installing the latest NVIDIA drivers and configuring DKMS will enable you to run GPU-accelerated computations seamlessly, ensuring that your development environment remains stable even after kernel updates.

Scenario 3: Video Editing

You are using Ubuntu for video editing. Installing the proprietary NVIDIA drivers enhances rendering speeds and overall performance in applications like DaVinci Resolve or Blender. Utilizing DKMS ensures that updates do not break your setup, providing a reliable workflow.

Best Practices

1. Backup Your System: Always create a backup before making system-level changes like driver installations.
2. Monitor Kernel Updates: After kernel updates, check if your NVIDIA drivers are still functioning correctly.
3. Use DKMS: Always prefer DKMS for managing NVIDIA drivers to ensure compatibility with kernel updates.
4. Avoid Conflicting Drivers: Remove any existing Nouveau drivers before installing NVIDIA drivers to prevent conflicts.
5. Regularly Update Drivers: Keep your NVIDIA drivers up to date to benefit from performance improvements and bug fixes.

Common Errors

Error 1: NVIDIA-SMI has failed because it couldn't communicate with the NVIDIA driver

Cause: The NVIDIA driver is not installed or loaded.

Fix: Reinstall the NVIDIA driver using ubuntu-drivers autoinstall.

Error 2: Unable to find DKMS configuration file

Cause: The DKMS module for NVIDIA is not added.

Fix: Use dkms add -m nvidia -v <version> to add the module.

Error 3: Nouveau driver is still in use

Cause: The Nouveau driver is conflicting with the installed NVIDIA driver.

Fix: Blacklist the Nouveau driver by adding it to /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf, then reboot.

echo "blacklist nouveau" | sudo tee -a /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf

Error 4: Kernel module failed to build

Cause: Missing kernel headers or DKMS not installed.

Fix: Ensure linux-headers-$(uname -r) and dkms are installed.

Related Commands

Command	Description
nvidia-settings	GUI tool to configure NVIDIA settings.
`glxinfo	grep "OpenGL version"`
prime-select	Manage NVIDIA Optimus settings on laptops.
modinfo nvidia	Display information about the NVIDIA module.

Automation Script

Here's a complete Bash script to automate the NVIDIA driver installation process, ensuring idempotency:

#!/bin/bash
# Script to install NVIDIA drivers on Ubuntu using DKMS

set -e  # Exit immediately if a command exits with a non-zero status

# Update package lists
echo "Updating package lists..."
sudo apt update -y

# Install necessary packages
echo "Installing build-essential, dkms, and linux headers..."
sudo apt install -y build-essential dkms linux-headers-$(uname -r)

# Check for available NVIDIA drivers
echo "Checking for available NVIDIA drivers..."
available_drivers=$(ubuntu-drivers devices)

if [[ -z "$available_drivers" ]]; then
    echo "No NVIDIA drivers available for installation."
    exit 1
fi

# Autoinstall NVIDIA drivers
echo "Installing recommended NVIDIA drivers..."
sudo ubuntu-drivers autoinstall

# Verify installation
if ! command -v nvidia-smi &> /dev/null; then
    echo "NVIDIA driver installation failed."
    exit 1
fi

echo "NVIDIA driver installed successfully!"

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we covered the complete process of installing NVIDIA drivers on Ubuntu, utilizing the ubuntu-drivers tool and DKMS for effective management of kernel modules. Armed with practical examples and troubleshooting tips, you are now equipped to maintain a high-performance graphical environment on your system.

Next Steps

• Explore the NVIDIA Control Panel to customize your graphics settings.
• Investigate additional tools such as nvidia-settings for advanced configuration options.
• Keep an eye on driver updates to ensure optimal performance and stability.

References

• NVIDIA Driver Downloads
• Ubuntu Documentation - Graphics Drivers
• DKMS - Dynamic Kernel Module Support
• man ubuntu-drivers
• man dkms