> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.synteq.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.synteq.com/gpu-vds/drivers/installing-drivers/installing-nvidia-drivers/installing-nvidia-drivers-on-debian-based-os.md).

# Installing NVIDIA drivers on Debian based OS

## What are Drivers?

A driver is a piece of software that acts as a translation layer between the applications & OS running on your computer and the physical hardware present in the system. By default when you install Debian using one of our templates on your GPU VDS, you may notice that the GPU doesn't show up on your applications. To get Debian & your applications to detect your GPU, you'll need to install the relevant drivers for it.

## Installing Drivers

### 1. Log in to your VPS as root via SSH

### 2. Detecting the GPU

In your terminal, run the following command:

```
lspci -nn | egrep -i "3d|display|vga"
```

The output should have a line with Nvidia on it with the generation of your GPU.

<figure><img src="/files/5b8Rue5chh8MAketK4Pe" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### 3. Adding non-free Repository

Open your sources.list file

```
nano /etc/apt/sources.list
```

Paste the following at the end of the file depending on the version of debian that you're using

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Debian 11" %}

```
deb http://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye main non-free
deb-src http://deb.debian.org/debian bullseye main non-free
```

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Debian 12" %}

```
deb http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm main non-free
deb-src http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm main non-free
```

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Debian 13" %}

```
deb http://deb.debian.org/debian trixie main non-free
deb-src http://deb.debian.org/debian trixie main non-free
```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

Update your package manager

```
apt update
```

### 4. Install the driver

First, install the `nvidia-detect` package to see and run it.

```
apt install nvidia-detect -y
nvidia-detect
```

At the end of the output, you should see something like this:

<figure><img src="/files/htUvVWQyv94WfFEoc0Cn" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Note down the package name(s) it shows and install it via `apt`

```
apt install nvidia-driver
```

### 5. Reboot your VPS

Now, Reboot your VPS with the following command.

```
reboot
```

And done! You've successfully installed NVIDIA Drivers on your Debian VPS.


---

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