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- Check installed NVIDIA drivers using
nvidia-smiordpkg -l | grep -i nvidia. - Use
sudo apt-get remove --purge '^nvidia-.*'to uninstall drivers installed via APT. - Run
sudo apt-get autoremoveto clean up unnecessary dependencies. - Use
sudo ubuntu-drivers remove nvidia-driver-versionfor Ubuntu’s built-in driver removal method. - Switch to the open-source Nouveau driver by installing
xserver-xorg-video-nouveau. - For
.runfile installations, uninstall withsudo ./NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-<version>.run --uninstall. - Verify removal using
nvidia-smiand check active drivers withlspci -k | grep -EA3 'VGA|3D'. - Restore default graphics drivers with
sudo apt-get install --reinstall xserver-xorg-core xserver-xorg. - Run
sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorgto reconfigure graphics settings after removal. - Always reboot your system after uninstalling or switching graphics drivers.
Introduction
NVIDIA drivers help Ubuntu users get the best performance from their graphics cards. These drivers allow the system to run applications that require high graphics power, such as gaming, video editing, and AI-based tasks.
However, there are times when users need to remove these drivers. You may want to uninstall NVIDIA drivers on Ubuntu if you face system issues, want to switch to open-source drivers, or plan to install a different version.
Knowing how to uninstall NVIDIA drivers on Ubuntu properly ensures your system stays stable and functional after removal. In this guide, you will learn the step-by-step process to remove NVIDIA drivers from Ubuntu safely. We will also cover how to verify driver removal and restore the default settings.
Checking Installed NVIDIA Drivers
Before removing the drivers, it is essential to check which version is installed. To do this, open the terminal and run:
nvidia-smi
If this command shows driver details, then NVIDIA drivers are active on your system. If it does not, you might already be using the open-source Nouveau driver instead of NVIDIA’s proprietary drivers. You can also check installed drivers by running:
dpkg -l | grep -i nvidia
This command lists all NVIDIA-related packages installed on your system. Keeping track of installed packages helps ensure you remove all necessary components.
Uninstalling NVIDIA Drivers Using Command Line
Ubuntu provides several ways to remove NVIDIA drivers. The most common method is using package management commands.
Using APT to Remove NVIDIA Drivers
If you installed NVIDIA drivers using APT, you can remove them with the following command:
sudo apt-get remove --purge '^nvidia-.*'
The --purge option ensures that configuration files associated with the drivers are also removed. To remove additional dependencies that are no longer needed, run:
sudo apt-get autoremove
Next, update your package list to ensure your system is clean:
sudo apt-get update
Using Ubuntu’s Built-in Driver Manager
Ubuntu has a built-in tool that makes managing drivers easier. You can use the ubuntu-drivers command to remove NVIDIA drivers:
sudo ubuntu-drivers remove nvidia-driver-version
Replace nvidia-driver-version with the exact version number of your installed driver. If you are unsure of the version, list installed drivers using:
ubuntu-drivers list
Removing NVIDIA drivers using this method ensures you do not accidentally delete essential system packages.
Switching to Open-Source Nouveau Driver
After removing NVIDIA drivers, Ubuntu may default to a basic graphics driver. However, some users prefer switching to the open-source Nouveau driver. To enable it, first check if it is installed:
lsmod | grep nouveau
If Nouveau is not active, reinstall it with:
sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg-video-nouveau
Then, reboot your system:
sudo reboot
This ensures the system applies the changes and uses the open-source driver instead of NVIDIA’s proprietary driver.
Removing NVIDIA Drivers Installed via .run File
Some users install NVIDIA drivers manually using a .run file from the official NVIDIA website. If you installed the drivers this way, use these steps to remove them:
- Switch to text mode by pressing
Ctrl + Alt + F3and logging in. - Stop the graphical user interface using:
sudo systemctl stop gdmReplacegdmwithlightdmorsddmif you use a different display manager. - Navigate to the directory where the
.runfile is located. If you do not have the original file, download the same version again. - Run the uninstallation command:
sudo ./NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-<version>.run --uninstallReplace<version>with your actual driver version number. - Restart your computer:
sudo reboot
This process ensures that manually installed NVIDIA drivers are completely removed.
Verifying Driver Removal
After uninstalling NVIDIA drivers, check if they are gone by running:
nvidia-smi
If you see an error message stating command not found, the drivers have been successfully removed. You can also check active graphics drivers with:
lspci -k | grep -EA3 'VGA|3D'
If the output shows nouveau, then your system has switched to the open-source driver.
Restoring Default Graphics Drivers
If removing NVIDIA drivers caused display issues, reinstalling the default drivers may help. To reinstall the default Ubuntu graphics stack, run:
sudo apt-get install --reinstall xserver-xorg-core xserver-xorg
Then, reconfigure the graphics settings:
sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg
Finally, reboot the system:
sudo reboot
This process ensures that Ubuntu can function correctly even without NVIDIA drivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the related questions people also ask:
How do I check if NVIDIA drivers are installed on Ubuntu?
Run nvidia-smi in the terminal. If it returns driver details, NVIDIA drivers are installed. Alternatively, use dpkg -l | grep -i nvidia to list installed packages.
What is the safest way to uninstall NVIDIA drivers on Ubuntu?
The safest method is using APT with sudo apt-get remove --purge '^nvidia-.*', followed by sudo apt-get autoremove to clean dependencies.
Can I remove NVIDIA drivers using Ubuntu’s GUI?
Yes, you can use the “Software & Updates” application, go to the “Additional Drivers” tab, and select the open-source driver instead of the proprietary NVIDIA driver.
How do I switch from NVIDIA drivers to the Nouveau driver on Ubuntu?
First, uninstall NVIDIA drivers. Then, install the Nouveau driver with sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg-video-nouveau and reboot your system.
How do I remove manually installed NVIDIA drivers on Ubuntu?
If you installed drivers via a .run file, navigate to the directory where the file is located and run sudo ./NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-<version>.run --uninstall, replacing <version> with the actual driver version.
What should I do if my display breaks after uninstalling NVIDIA drivers?
Reinstall the default Ubuntu graphics stack using sudo apt-get install --reinstall xserver-xorg-core xserver-xorg, then reconfigure it with sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg and reboot.
How can I check which graphics driver my system is using?
Run lspci -k | grep -EA3 'VGA|3D' in the terminal. If nouveau is listed, you are using the open-source driver. If nvidia appears, the NVIDIA driver is still active.
Do I need to reboot after uninstalling NVIDIA drivers on Ubuntu?
Yes, rebooting is necessary to apply the changes and ensure the system switches to an alternative driver properly.
Can I reinstall NVIDIA drivers after removing them?
Yes, you can reinstall them using sudo apt-get install nvidia-driver-<version>, replacing <version> with the required driver version, or by using ubuntu-drivers install.
The Bottom Line
Learning how to uninstall NVIDIA drivers on Ubuntu is essential for users who need to switch drivers, resolve issues, or install a different version. By following the steps in this guide, you can safely remove NVIDIA drivers and restore your system’s graphics settings.
Whether using APT, the built-in driver manager, or uninstalling a manually installed driver, each method ensures a clean removal. Always verify driver removal and enable alternative drivers if needed to maintain display performance.