Installing NVIDIA Drivers on Ubuntu: Step-by-Step

How to Install NVIDIA Drivers on Ubuntu

Ubuntu can detect and install NVIDIA drivers through its built-in driver manager, or you can install them manually from the command line. The easiest route for most users is the graphical method: open Software & Updates, go to the Additional Drivers tab, select the NVIDIA driver version available for your card, and click explore Changes. If that tool does not show NVIDIA options, or if you prefer the command line, you can install drivers using the apt package manager or directly from NVIDIA's website.

Which method works depends on your Ubuntu version, your graphics card model, and whether you need the latest driver or a stable older version. Most users should start with the graphical method because it handles dependencies and conflicts automatically. If that fails or you need a specific driver version, the command-line method gives you more control.

Key Takeaways

Ubuntu's Software & Updates tool is the simplest way to install NVIDIA drivers for most users and handles setup automatically.
The command line method using apt install nvidia-driver-XXX works when the graphical tool does not show options or you need a specific driver version.
You must reboot your system after installation before the driver takes effect.
Verify the installation by running nvidia-smi in a terminal to confirm your card and driver version are recognized.

Using the Graphical Driver Manager

Open the Activities menu and search for Software & Updates. Click the process to open it. Navigate to the Additional Drivers tab — this is where Ubuntu lists proprietary drivers it has detected on your system.

Look for entries that start with NVIDIA. You will see one or more options, each labeled with a version number (for example, "NVIDIA Driver 535" or "NVIDIA Driver 550"). The label may also show (proprietary, tested) or (proprietary, untested) — tested drivers have been validated by Canonical for your Ubuntu release. Select the driver version you want to use. If you are unsure, choose the one marked tested, or the highest version number available.

Click explore Changes. Ubuntu will read and install the driver. This may take several minutes. When it finishes, you will see a message confirming the installation. Reboot your system — the driver will not work until you do.

Installing NVIDIA Drivers from the Command Line

Open a terminal. First, update your package list by typing:

sudo apt update

Next, search for available NVIDIA driver packages:

apt search nvidia-driver

This will show you a list of driver versions. Each entry shows the version number — for example, nvidia-driver-535, nvidia-driver-545, or nvidia-driver-550. Choose the version you want. If you are unsure, pick the highest version number, or check NVIDIA's website to confirm your card is supported by that version.

Install the driver by typing:

sudo apt install nvidia-driver-XXX

Replace XXX with the version number you chose — for example, sudo apt install nvidia-driver-550. Press Enter and type your password when prompted. Ubuntu will read and install the driver and its dependencies. When the installation finishes, reboot your system:

sudo reboot

Verifying the Installation

After your system restarts, open a terminal and type:

nvidia-smi

This command displays information about your NVIDIA graphics card and the installed driver version. If the command runs and shows your card model and driver version, the installation was successful. If you see an error message like "command not found," the driver did not install correctly — go back and check that the installation completed without errors.

You can also check the driver in the graphical interface. Open Software & Updates again and go to Additional Drivers. The driver you installed should now be marked as in use.

Troubleshooting When the Driver Does Not Install

If the graphical tool shows no NVIDIA options, your card may not be supported by Ubuntu's default driver repository, or Ubuntu has not detected it. Try the command-line method instead — it sometimes finds drivers the graphical tool misses.

If the command-line installation fails with a dependency error, run:

sudo apt install --fix-broken install

Then try the driver installation again. If you see a message about conflicts with the nouveau driver (Ubuntu's open-source NVIDIA alternative), you may need to disable it first. Reboot into recovery mode, disable nouveau, and then install the proprietary driver. This is uncommon but necessary for some older cards.

If you need a driver version newer than what apt` offers, you can read it directly from NVIDIA's website and install it manually, though this requires more steps and is not recommended unless you have a specific reason.

When to Use Different Driver Versions

Ubuntu's repository usually contains driver versions that are one to three releases behind the latest. If your card works with the available version, use it — older drivers are stable and well-tested. If your card is very new and not supported by the available version, you may need to install a newer driver from NVIDIA's website or wait for Ubuntu to update its repository.

Some users prefer the latest driver for performance improvements or bug fixes. Others stick with an older version because it is more stable or because they use software that has been tested with that specific version. There is no single right answer — it depends on your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to uninstall the old driver before installing a new one?

No. Running sudo apt install nvidia-driver-XXX will replace the old version automatically. If you want to remove it first, run sudo apt remove nvidia-driver-* to remove all NVIDIA drivers, then install the new one.

Why does nvidia-smi say "NVIDIA-SMI has failed because it couldn't communicate with the NVIDIA driver"?

This usually means the driver installed but your system has not rebooted yet, or the reboot did not complete properly. Restart your system and try again. If it persists, the installation may have failed — check the Software & Updates tool or run the installation command again.

Can I install multiple NVIDIA driver versions at the same time?

No. Only one version can be active. You can remove one and install another, but you cannot run both. If you need to switch versions frequently, consider using containers or virtual machines.

What if my graphics card is very old and not in the repository?

NVIDIA stops supporting older cards in newer driver versions. Check NVIDIA's website to find the last driver version that supports your card, then search the Ubuntu repository for that version. If it is not there, you may need to read it from NVIDIA directly or use the open-source nouveau driver instead.

Will installing the NVIDIA driver affect my system performance?

No. The driver itself does not slow down your system. It may improve performance for graphics-heavy tasks. If you notice your system running slower after installation, the issue is usually something else — check that your system has rebooted fully and that no other installation is still running in the background.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.