Ubuntu is a popular Linux distribution that is known for its user-friendly interface and robust performance. One of the critical aspects of Ubuntu’s performance is its interaction with hardware, particularly the graphics card. This article will guide you through the process of switching from Nvidia to Nouveau drivers on Ubuntu 18.04.
To switch to Nouveau drivers on Ubuntu 18.04, you can either use the GUI by navigating to "Software & Updates" and selecting the Nouveau driver, or you can use the terminal by running the command "sudo apt install xserver-xorg-video-nouveau". Remember to reboot your system after making the switch for the changes to take effect.
Understanding Nvidia and Nouveau Drivers
Before we dive into the process, it’s important to understand what Nvidia and Nouveau drivers are. Nvidia is a proprietary driver offered by Nvidia for their GPUs. On the other hand, Nouveau is an open-source driver for Nvidia cards. While Nvidia drivers are known for better performance and support, some users prefer Nouveau for its open-source nature and the freedom it offers.
Switching Drivers Using GUI
For those who prefer a graphical interface, Ubuntu offers an easy way to switch drivers.
Step 1: Open “Software & Updates”
On your Ubuntu desktop, search for “Software & Updates” in the application menu and open it.
Step 2: Navigate to “Additional Drivers”
In the “Software & Updates” window, go to the “Additional Drivers” tab. This tab lists all the available drivers that are not installed by default.
Step 3: Select the Nouveau Driver
Here, you will see a list of drivers available for your system. Look for the Nouveau driver and select it.
Step 4: Apply Changes
After selecting the Nouveau driver, click on “Apply Changes”. This will start the installation process.
Step 5: Reboot Your System
Once the installation is complete, reboot your system for the changes to take effect.
Switching Drivers Using Terminal
If you are more comfortable with the terminal, you can switch drivers using command-line tools.
Step 1: Identify Available Drivers
Open a terminal window and run the following command:
ubuntu-drivers devicesThis command lists all the available drivers for your system.
Step 2: Install the Nouveau Driver
To install the Nouveau driver, use the following command:
sudo apt install xserver-xorg-video-nouveauHere, sudo is used to run the command with root privileges, apt is the package handling utility in Ubuntu, install is the command to install a package, and xserver-xorg-video-nouveau is the package name for the Nouveau driver.
Step 3: Reboot Your System
After the installation is complete, reboot your system for the changes to take effect.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter any unmet dependencies while installing the drivers, it indicates a broken library configuration. To fix this problem, you can refer to this guide on resolving unmet dependencies issues on Ubuntu.
Remember, switching to Nouveau drivers may not be suitable for all systems, especially if your video card is not fully supported. In such cases, you may experience issues when booting into the desktop environment.
Conclusion
Switching from Nvidia to Nouveau drivers on Ubuntu 18.04 can be done through either the GUI or the terminal. While the process is straightforward, it’s important to consider the compatibility of Nouveau drivers with your specific hardware before making the switch. Always ensure to reboot your system after making changes to the drivers for the changes to take effect.
Yes, you can switch back to Nvidia drivers by following the same steps mentioned in this article, but selecting the Nvidia driver instead of Nouveau.
Switching to Nouveau drivers may not necessarily improve gaming performance. Nvidia drivers are known for better performance and support, so if gaming performance is your priority, it is recommended to stick with Nvidia drivers.
Nouveau drivers are compatible with most Nvidia graphics cards, but not all. Some newer or specialized Nvidia cards may not be fully supported by Nouveau drivers. It is recommended to check compatibility with your specific graphics card before making the switch.
No, rebooting your system is necessary for the changes to take effect. After switching drivers, it is important to reboot your system for the changes to be applied and for the new driver to be loaded properly.
You can check which driver is currently in use by opening a terminal and running the following command: lsmod | grep nouveau. If the output shows any results, it means Nouveau drivers are currently in use. If there is no output, it indicates that Nouveau drivers are not in use, and another driver, such as Nvidia, might be in use.
