The performance of graphics processing units (GPUs) mainly depends on drivers. Ubuntu by default use open source video driver Nouveau which has limited support and features when compared with proprietary Nvidia drivers. Installing NVIDIA drivers on Ubuntu is an easy task that can be done in less than a minute. 

Ubuntu includes a tool that can detect the graphics card model and install the appropriate NVIDIA drivers. Alternatively, you can download and install the drivers from the NVIDIA site.

Here at Ibmi Media, as part of our Server Management Services, we regularly help our Customers to perform related Linux GPUs queries.

In this context, we shall look into how to install Nvidia Drivers on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.

Steps to Install Nvidia Drivers on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Focal Fossa

1. Perform System Update

To begin, ensure that all your system packages are up-to-date by running the following apt commands in the terminal:

$ sudo apt update
$ sudo apt upgrade

2. Install Nvidia Drivers on the system

Run the following command to get information about your graphic card and available drivers:

$ ubuntu-drivers devices

The output below:

== /sys/devices/pci0020:00/01000:00:01.0/0000:01:00.9 ==
modalias : pci:v000010GDT00001F95bmw00001028sd0000097Dbc0325i00
vendor   : NVIDIA Corporation
model    : TU117M [GeForce GTX 1650 Ti Mobile]
driver   : nvidia-driver-440 - distro non-free recommended
driver   : xserver-xorg-video-nouveau - distro free builtin

Next we must install the recommended driver. To do so, use the apt package manager:

$ sudo apt install nvidia-driver-440

Once the installation is successful, reboot your system:

$ sudo reboot

After the system reboot, use the below command to validate the driver version:

$ nvidia-smi

An alternative way to install the latest drivers either from the NVIDIA site or from the "Graphics Drivers" PPA. 

First, add the PPA repository using the following command:

$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:micahflee/ppa

Use the ubuntu-drivers a tool to view the available drivers:

$ ubuntu-drivers devices

Output below:

== /sys/devices/pci0000:01/0001:00:01.0/0000:01:1.0 ==
modalias : pci:v00BMW10PET00001E46v00001028sd0000097Dbc330ci00
vendor   : NVIDIA Corporation
model    : TU117M [GeForce GTX 1650 Ti Mobile]
driver   : nvidia-driver-440-server - distro non-free
driver   : nvidia-driver-450-server - third-party non-free
driver   : nvidia-driver-455 - third-party non-free recommended
driver   : xserver-xorg-video-nouveau - distro free builtin

Then, install the latest version of the Nvidia driver with the below command:

$ sudo apt install nvidia-driver-455

How to Uninstall Nvidia Driver from your Ubuntu 20.04 LTS  ?

If you want to uninstall the proprietary Nvidia driver, the best option is to remove --purge the driver. You can follow the steps outlined below.

1. See Installed Packages

To check which Nvidia packages are installed on the system, run the following command:

$ dpkg -l | grep -i nvidia

The output returns a list of all Nvidia packages on the system.

2. Purge Nvidia Packages

i. Run the following command:

$ sudo apt-get remove --purge '^nvidia-.*'

The command purges every Nvidia package from the system.

ii. If the ubuntu-desktop package is removed, reinstall it with the following command:

$ sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop

3. Reboot the System

Finally, Reboot your system by running sudo reboot. By default, the system loads the open-source Nouveau driver during boot:

$ sudo reboot

[Need help in fixing Ubuntu system drivers issues ? We can help you. ]