Uninstalling CUDA Toolkit on Ubuntu

Getting rid of the old CUDA toolkit can feel a bit tricky when you’re not sure where to start, but don’t worry! I’ll walk you through it step by step.

Step 1: Uninstall CUDA Toolkit

First, you’ll want to make sure you completely uninstall the existing version. Open a terminal and run the following command:

sudo apt-get --purge remove "*cublas*" "*cudnn*" "*cuda*" "*nsight*"

This command will remove all the CUDA packages. Using –purge ensures that configuration files are also removed.

Step 2: Check for Leftover Files

After removing the packages, it’s a good idea to check for any leftover files. Run these commands:

dpkg -l | grep cuda

dpkg -l | grep nvidia

If you see any NVIDIA or CUDA-related packages still listed, you can remove them using a similar sudo apt-get –purge remove command followed by the package names.

Step 3: Clean Up Residuals

Once you’ve removed the packages, run this command to clean up:

sudo apt-get autoremove

sudo apt-get autoclean

This helps to get rid of any unnecessary packages and clears out the local repository of retrieved package files.

Step 4: Installing the New Version

Now that you have a clean slate, it’s time to install the latest CUDA toolkit. You can choose to do this via the command line or using the NVIDIA installer. Most people recommend using the command line for better control.

If you want to stick with the command line, here’s a quick way to do it:

sudo apt-key adv --fetch-keys https://developer.download.nvidia.com/compute/cuda/repos/ubuntu$(lsb_release -rs)/x86_64/7fa2af80.pub

sudo add-apt-repository "deb https://developer.download.nvidia.com/compute/cuda/repos/ubuntu$(lsb_release -rs)/x86_64/ /"

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install cuda

After installing, you may need to add CUDA to your PATH. Open your ~/.bashrc file and add the following lines at the end:

export PATH=/usr/local/cuda/bin:${PATH}

export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=/usr/local/cuda/lib64:${LD_LIBRARY_PATH}

source ~/.bashrc

And voila! That should set you up for a fresh start with the latest CUDA toolkit.

Tips

• Always check the official NVIDIA documentation for the latest instructions and compatibility notes.
• Backing up your system before making major changes can save a lot of headaches later.
• If you’re really unsure, consider reaching out to community forums like Stack Overflow or NVIDIA Developer forums!

Good luck! You got this!