How to Install NVIDIA Drivers on Linux
Install the correct NVIDIA proprietary drivers on Ubuntu and other Linux distributions for gaming, CUDA, and general performance.
Prerequisites
- A Linux distribution installed
- An NVIDIA graphics card
Check your NVIDIA GPU model
Before installing drivers, identify your exact GPU model. This determines which driver version you need.
lspci | grep -i nvidia
See recommended drivers
Ubuntu can detect your GPU and recommend the best driver. The ubuntu-drivers tool lists all compatible drivers and marks the recommended one.
sudo ubuntu-drivers devices
Install the recommended driver automatically
The easiest method — let Ubuntu pick and install the best driver for your card. This works on Ubuntu, Pop!_OS, Linux Mint, and other Ubuntu-based distros.
sudo ubuntu-drivers autoinstall
Or install a specific driver version
If you need a specific version (for example, for CUDA compatibility or a newer GPU), install it directly with APT.
sudo apt update sudo apt install nvidia-driver-560
Don't install drivers from NVIDIA's website (.run file) unless you know what you're doing. It can break your system on kernel updates.
Reboot your system
NVIDIA drivers require a reboot to load. The new driver replaces the open-source nouveau driver.
sudo reboot
Verify the installation
After rebooting, check that the NVIDIA driver is active. nvidia-smi shows your GPU info, driver version, and current usage.
nvidia-smi
Open NVIDIA Settings
The NVIDIA Settings panel lets you configure resolution, multiple monitors, performance modes, and more. You can also launch it from your application menu.
nvidia-settings