Installing NVIDIA Drivers on Ubuntu 20.04: A Comprehensive Guide
Ubuntu 20.04 comes with the open-source Nouveau driver for your NVIDIA graphics card, which allows for basic functionality. However, for optimal performance and access to features like CUDA, you'll need to install the proprietary NVIDIA driver. This guide will walk you through the process of installing the latest NVIDIA driver on your Ubuntu 20.04 system.
Why Install NVIDIA Drivers?
The NVIDIA driver is essential for gamers and users who rely on high-performance graphics processing. Here's why you might want to install it:
- Enhanced Performance: The NVIDIA driver delivers significantly better performance than the open-source Nouveau driver, especially for gaming and demanding applications.
- Access to CUDA: NVIDIA's CUDA platform allows developers to utilize the powerful processing capabilities of your graphics card for tasks like machine learning and scientific computing.
- Improved Display Features: The NVIDIA driver unlocks features like multi-monitor support, advanced display configurations, and better screen resolution options.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, ensure the following:
- NVIDIA Graphics Card: You have an NVIDIA graphics card installed in your system.
- Internet Connection: You'll need an active internet connection to download and install the driver.
- Administrative Privileges: You'll need to be logged in as a user with sudo privileges.
Steps to Install NVIDIA Drivers
Step 1: Determine Your NVIDIA Graphics Card
To install the correct driver, you need to know the model of your NVIDIA graphics card. You can find this information by running the following command in your terminal:
lspci | grep -i nvidia
This will show you the name of your NVIDIA device. For example, it might display something like:
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: NVIDIA Corporation Device [product ID]
Step 2: Download the NVIDIA Driver
Visit the NVIDIA website () and download the latest driver package for your specific graphics card and operating system (Ubuntu 20.04). Make sure to select the Linux x86_64 version.
Step 3: Prepare Your System
Before installing the driver, it's a good practice to run the following commands in your terminal:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
This will update your system's package list and ensure you have the latest system updates.
Step 4: Install the NVIDIA Driver
Open a terminal window and navigate to the directory where you downloaded the NVIDIA driver package. Then, run the following command to install the driver:
sudo sh ./NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-XXX.XX.run
Replace XXX.XX.run with the actual name of the downloaded driver file.
Follow the on-screen instructions carefully during the installation process. You might need to accept the license agreement and choose your preferred installation options.
Step 5: Reboot Your System
After the driver installation completes, reboot your system.
Step 6: Verify Installation
After rebooting, you can verify the installation by running the following command:
nvidia-smi
This command should display information about your NVIDIA graphics card and driver version.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Black Screen: If you encounter a black screen after installing the driver, try booting into recovery mode and removing the NVIDIA driver using the
sudo apt-get purge nvidia-*command. Then, reinstall the driver and reboot. - Driver Conflicts: If you have multiple graphics cards or your system is detecting conflicting drivers, try using the
nvidia-xconfigcommand to configure your display settings. - Display Resolution Issues: If you experience display resolution problems, you might need to adjust your display settings through the NVIDIA X Server Settings application.
Conclusion
Installing the NVIDIA driver on Ubuntu 20.04 is crucial for unlocking the full potential of your NVIDIA graphics card. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough of the installation process, from determining your graphics card model to troubleshooting common issues. By following these steps, you can ensure a smooth and successful driver installation experience.