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NVIDIA Driver Installation

Unlike AMD or Intel, NVIDIA does not open-source its drivers to the Linux kernel or distributions. As a result, NVIDIA drivers are always proprietary, regardless of which distribution you use.

Why Use Repository Packages?​

The binary provided by NVIDIA on their official website is essentially the same as the one found in the Debian/GoldenDog nvidia-driver package. However, installing it through the official repositories offers a massive advantage: Stability during updates.

Furthermore, the official package ensures seamless integration with the core system components, including:

  • DKMS: Automatically rebuilds modules for new kernels.
  • APT: Manages dependencies and security updates.
  • Secure Boot: Handles signing requirements.
  • Initramfs: Ensures the driver is correctly loaded at the earliest boot stage.

The "Manual Install" Trap​

If you install the driver manually using a .run file from NVIDIA's website:

  1. The driver compiles a kernel module specifically for your current kernel version.
  2. When GoldenDog/Debian updates the kernel, that module becomes invalid.
  3. Your system may fail to boot into a graphical session until you manually recompile the driver.

By using the repository package, the system uses DKMS to automatically recompile the driver module every time a new kernel is installed.

DO NOT INSTALL MANUALLY

We strongly recommend against installing NVIDIA drivers using the .run files from NVIDIA's website. It is the leading cause of system breakage after updates.

Installation Guide​

Option 1: The Latest Features (Backports)​

For users who want the best performance, the latest driver features, and better support for Wayland, we recommend using the backports repository. This ensures you have both the latest kernel and the latest compatible driver.

sudo apt update
sudo apt -t trixie-backports install nvidia-driver linux-image-amd64 linux-headers-amd64 -y

Option 2: The Stable Version​

If you prefer to stay on the standard stable version (fully tested and updated alongside your current kernel), run:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install nvidia-driver

Post-Installation​

After the installation completes, restart your computer to load the new drivers.

sudo reboot