Step-by-Step Guide: Installing the Latest Nvidia Drivers on Ubuntu

Installing the latest Nvidia drivers on Ubuntu can significantly enhance your computing experience, especially if you’re into gaming, graphic design, or video editing. Not only do the latest drivers improve the performance of your Nvidia graphics card, but they also ensure compatibility with the newest software and games. This guide will walk you through the process step by step, making it easy even for those new to Ubuntu or Linux in general.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding, ensure that you have:

• A system running Ubuntu (the steps are applicable to most Ubuntu versions, but it’s recommended to use the latest stable release).
• An Nvidia graphics card installed in your system.
• Internet access to download the drivers.

Step 1: Preparing Your System

1. Update Your System: Ensure your system is up-to-date to avoid conflicts during the installation. Open a terminal and run the following commands:

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt upgrade
   

2. Identify Your Graphics Card: Knowing exactly which Nvidia card you have can help ensure you install the correct drivers. Run:

   lspci | grep -i nvidia
   

   This command lists all Nvidia graphics cards detected by your system.

Step 2: Uninstall Old Drivers

To avoid potential conflicts, it’s a good practice to remove any previously installed Nvidia drivers:

sudo apt-get remove --purge '^nvidia-.*'

Step 3: Install the Latest Nvidia Drivers

There are two methods to install Nvidia drivers on Ubuntu: using the default Ubuntu repository or the Nvidia PPA (Personal Package Archive). The PPA often has more up-to-date drivers.

Method 1: Using Ubuntu Repository

1. Install Drivers: Install the recommended driver automatically:

   sudo ubuntu-drivers autoinstall
   

   This command installs the driver that is best suited for your system.

2. Reboot: Restart your computer to apply the changes:

   sudo reboot
   

Method 2: Using Nvidia PPA

1. Add the Nvidia PPA: Add the graphics drivers PPA to get access to the latest drivers:

   sudo add-apt-repository ppa:graphics-drivers/ppa
   sudo apt update
   

2. Install Drivers: Install the driver by specifying its version. First, find out the available versions:

   ubuntu-drivers devices
   

   Then install the chosen version (for example, version 535):

   sudo apt install nvidia-driver-535
   

3. Reboot: Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Step 4: Verifying the Installation

After rebooting, verify that the drivers are installed correctly:

nvidia-smi

This command displays the Nvidia System Management Interface, showing your driver version and other details.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues, the Ubuntu community forums and Nvidia support are excellent resources. Common issues include black screens after rebooting and driver version mismatches. Ensure your system is fully updated and consider using a different driver version if problems persist.

Conclusion

Installing the latest Nvidia drivers on Ubuntu can significantly boost your system’s performance and compatibility. By following this guide, you should now have the latest Nvidia drivers running smoothly on your Ubuntu system. Enjoy the enhanced graphics and performance benefits they bring to your computing experience.