I'm running Kubuntu version 25.10, and I'm facing major issues after trying to update my Nvidia drivers. Initially, I got the open Nvidia driver version 580 working without problems, but after noticing that version 590 was available, I decided to switch to it using the Software Sources. However, after the restart, my system became sluggish, and I found out that llvmpipe was being used instead of my graphics card (a 4080 Super). Additionally, `nvidia-smi` showed errors indicating that it couldn't communicate with the driver.
Secure Boot is disabled in my BIOS settings, so that shouldn't be a problem. I attempted to go back to driver version 580, but now I'm encountering the same llvmpipe issue. I've purged all Nvidia drivers using `sudo apt-get remove --purge *nvidia*`, reverted to the working nouveau driver, and tried reinstalling the 590 drivers, but I ended up stuck at a low 480 resolution. Now, when I try to install the open version of the 580 drivers, it complains about missing dependencies.
I'm in search of solutions, particularly since I can't find anyone else who's faced this exact problem. Any help would be appreciated!
P.S. I did manage to roll back to the 580 drivers with a PPA, but I'm still concerned about not having access to version 590. What can I do?
2 Answers
I had the same issue after switching drivers. What worked for me was checking out this guide on installing Nvidia drivers manually. You can find detailed instructions on their official site to make sure you're getting the right version compatible with your system. If you're worried about regressions, you might want to stick with the 580, as many users have mentioned fewer issues with that version. Just make sure to reinstall cleanly and check your dependencies!
You really haven’t missed much by skipping the 590 branch. It’s known to have some regressions. I suggest either sticking to the 580 driver for now or even trying the Nouveau driver if it suits your needs. You can also add `nvidia-drm.modeset=1` as a kernel parameter in Grub to see if that improves your performance, though I’ve heard that it might not even be necessary starting with version 550. If everything is running fine with 580 now, just enjoy it until a more stable release comes along!
Thanks for the tip about the kernel parameter! I had no idea it might already be set by default for newer versions. I'll keep that in mind for the future!
I tried following that guide, but it didn’t work for me either. Ended up back on llvmpipe, so I’m feeling your pain!