uninstall nvidia driver ubuntu with code examples

Uninstalling NVIDIA drivers on Ubuntu can be a bit tricky, but with the proper commands, it can be done quickly and easily. In this article, we will go over the steps to uninstall NVIDIA drivers on Ubuntu using the terminal.

Step 1: Remove the NVIDIA driver package

The first step in uninstalling the NVIDIA driver is to remove the package. This can be done by running the following command:

sudo apt-get remove nvidia-*

This command will remove all packages that start with "nvidia-", which includes the driver and any associated libraries or utilities.

Step 2: Purge the NVIDIA driver package

After removing the NVIDIA package, we need to purge it to completely remove any remaining configuration files. This can be done by running the following command:

sudo apt-get purge nvidia-*

This command will remove all packages that start with "nvidia-", as well as any remaining configuration files.

Step 3: Remove the NVIDIA repository

If you had added the NVIDIA repository to your system, it's a good idea to remove it to avoid any conflicts with future driver installations. To remove the repository, run the following command:

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

Step 4: Update the package list

After removing the NVIDIA driver and repository, we need to update the package list to ensure that our system knows that the NVIDIA driver is no longer installed. This can be done by running the following command:

sudo apt-get update

Step 5: Install the Nouveau driver

Nouveau is the open-source driver for NVIDIA graphics cards. After uninstalling the NVIDIA driver, we need to install the Nouveau driver to ensure that our system has a working graphics driver. This can be done by running the following command:

sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg-video-nouveau

Step 6:Reboot

Finally, we need to reboot the system to ensure that the Nouveau driver is loaded and that the NVIDIA driver is not loaded. This can be done by running the following command:

sudo reboot

After reboot, you can check your graphic driver version by lshw -c video and you should see the Nouveau driver is being used.

In this article, we went over the steps to uninstall NVIDIA drivers on Ubuntu using the terminal. By following these steps, you can easily remove the NVIDIA driver and install the Nouveau driver to ensure that your system has a working graphics driver.

One important thing to note is that uninstalling the NVIDIA driver on Ubuntu may cause issues with other applications that depend on the driver. For example, if you use CUDA for machine learning or other GPU-accelerated tasks, uninstalling the NVIDIA driver will prevent those applications from functioning properly.

Another thing to consider is that uninstalling the NVIDIA driver may cause issues with your display settings. If you are using a high resolution monitor or multiple monitors, you may experience issues with the display resolution or positioning after uninstalling the NVIDIA driver.

To avoid these issues, you may want to consider using the "nvidia-settings" utility to backup your display settings before uninstalling the driver. This will allow you to restore your display settings after reinstalling the driver.

Another alternative solution to uninstall the NVIDIA driver is to use the NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-.run file, which can be downloaded from the NVIDIA website. This file will automatically uninstall the current driver and install a new one. However, this method may be more complex for some users as it requires more steps to complete.

In addition, it is also good to keep in mind that uninstalling the NVIDIA driver may affect the performance of your system, especially if you are using a high-end NVIDIA graphics card. The Nouveau driver, although open-source, may not provide the same level of performance as the proprietary NVIDIA driver.

In conclusion, uninstalling the NVIDIA driver on Ubuntu can be a bit tricky, but with the proper commands and steps, it can be done easily. However, it's important to keep in mind the potential issues that may arise, such as issues with other applications that depend on the driver, display settings, and performance. It's always a good idea to backup important settings and files before uninstalling any software.

Popular questions

1. How do I remove the NVIDIA driver package on Ubuntu?
   Answer: The command to remove the NVIDIA driver package on Ubuntu is "sudo apt-get remove nvidia-*".

2. How do I purge the NVIDIA driver package on Ubuntu?
   Answer: To purge the NVIDIA driver package on Ubuntu, use the command "sudo apt-get purge nvidia-*".

3. How do I remove the NVIDIA repository on Ubuntu?
   Answer: To remove the NVIDIA repository on Ubuntu, use the command "sudo add-apt-repository –remove ppa:graphics-drivers/ppa".

4. How do I update the package list after uninstalling the NVIDIA driver on Ubuntu?
   Answer: To update the package list after uninstalling the NVIDIA driver on Ubuntu, use the command "sudo apt-get update".

5. What is the command to install the Nouveau driver on Ubuntu?
   Answer: The command to install the Nouveau driver on Ubuntu is "sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg-video-nouveau".

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Drivers