Nvidia-smi can't communicate with GPU

Issues & Assistance
1

My GPU: NVIDIA GTX 880M.
Installed the nvidia driver through garuda which is 390 something.

I am trying to play games on steam but despite using the prime-run command or in my case since it worked in the terminal the DRI_PRIME=1. Games don’t launch with my dedicated nvidia GPU still and when I try running “nvidia-smi” I get this output: " NVIDIA-SMI has failed because it couldn’t communicate with the NVIDIA driver. Make sure that the latest NVIDIA driver is installed and running."

garuda-inxi results for the GPU:

System:
Kernel: 6.5.9-zen2-1-zen arch: x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 13.2.1
clocksource: tsc avail: hpet,acpi_pm
parameters: BOOT_IMAGE=/@/boot/vmlinuz-linux-zen
root=UUID=5e165b7a-0c3e-41f7-80a8-faa865da1bba rw rootflags=subvol=@
quiet loglevel=3 ibt=off
Desktop: KDE Plasma v: 5.27.10 tk: Qt v: 5.15.12 info: frameworks
v: 5.115.0 wm: kwin_x11 vt: 2 dm: SDDM Distro: Garuda base: Arch Linux
Machine:
Type: Laptop System: Micro-Star product: GT70 2PE v: REV:0.C
serial: <superuser required> Chassis: type: 10 serial: <superuser required>
Mobo: Micro-Star model: MS-1763 v: REV:0.C serial: <superuser required>
uuid: <superuser required> UEFI: American Megatrends v: E1763IMS.51D
date: 04/17/2015
Battery:
ID-1: BAT1 charge: 69.6 Wh (100.0%) condition: 69.6/73.3 Wh (95.0%)
volts: 12.2 min: 11.1 model: MSI BTY-M6D type: Li-ion serial: N/A
status: full
CPU:
Info: model: Intel Core i7-4810MQ bits: 64 type: MT MCP arch: Haswell
gen: core 4 level: v3 note: check built: 2013-15 process: Intel 22nm
family: 6 model-id: 0x3C (60) stepping: 3 microcode: 0x28
Topology: cpus: 1x cores: 4 tpc: 2 threads: 8 smt: enabled cache:
L1: 256 KiB desc: d-4x32 KiB; i-4x32 KiB L2: 1024 KiB desc: 4x256 KiB
L3: 6 MiB desc: 1x6 MiB
Speed (MHz): avg: 2794 high: 2795 min/max: 800/2800 scaling:
driver: intel_cpufreq governor: performance cores: 1: 2794 2: 2794 3: 2794
4: 2794 5: 2795 6: 2794 7: 2794 8: 2794 bogomips: 44698
Flags: avx avx2 ht lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx
Vulnerabilities: <filter>
Graphics:
Device-1: Intel 4th Gen Core Processor Integrated Graphics
vendor: Micro-Star MSI driver: i915 v: kernel arch: Gen-7.5
process: Intel 22nm built: 2013 ports: active: eDP-1 empty: VGA-1
bus-ID: 00:02.0 chip-ID: 8086:0416 class-ID: 0300
Device-2: NVIDIA GK104M [GeForce GTX 880M] vendor: Micro-Star MSI
driver: nouveau v: kernel alternate: nvidia_drm,nvidia non-free:
series: 470.xx+ status: legacy-active (EOL~2024-09-xx) arch: Kepler
code: GKxxx process: TSMC 28nm built: 2012-2018 pcie: gen: 1
speed: 2.5 GT/s lanes: 16 link-max: gen: 3 speed: 8 GT/s ports:
active: none empty: DP-1,HDMI-A-1 bus-ID: 01:00.0 chip-ID: 10de:1198
class-ID: 0300 temp: 56.0 C
Device-3: Bison MSI Integrated Webcam driver: uvcvideo type: USB rev: 2.0
speed: 480 Mb/s lanes: 1 mode: 2.0 bus-ID: 3-9:8 chip-ID: 5986:014c
class-ID: 0e02
Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 21.1.9 with: Xwayland v: 23.2.4
compositor: kwin_x11 driver: X: loaded: modesetting
alternate: fbdev,intel,nouveau,nv,vesa dri: crocus,nouveau gpu: i915
display-ID: :0 screens: 1
Screen-1: 0 s-res: 1920x1080 s-dpi: 96 s-size: 508x285mm (20.00x11.22")
s-diag: 582mm (22.93")
Monitor-1: eDP-1 model: Chi Mei Opto 0x1720 built: 2011 res: 1920x1080
hz: 60 dpi: 128 gamma: 1.2 size: 382x215mm (15.04x8.46") diag: 438mm (17.3")
ratio: 16:9 modes: 1920x1080
API: EGL v: 1.5 hw: drv: intel crocus drv: nvidia nouveau platforms:
device: 0 drv: nouveau device: 1 drv: crocus device: 2 drv: swrast gbm:
drv: nouveau surfaceless: drv: nouveau x11: drv: crocus inactive: wayland
API: OpenGL v: 4.6 compat-v: 4.3 vendor: intel mesa v: 23.3.5-arch1.1
glx-v: 1.4 direct-render: yes renderer: Mesa Intel HD Graphics 4600 (HSW
GT2) device-ID: 8086:0416 memory: 1.46 GiB unified: yes
API: Vulkan Message: No Vulkan data available.
Audio:
Device-1: Intel 8 Series/C220 Series High Definition Audio
vendor: Micro-Star MSI 8 driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel bus-ID: 00:1b.0
chip-ID: 8086:8c20 class-ID: 0403
Device-2: NVIDIA GK104 HDMI Audio vendor: Micro-Star MSI
driver: snd_hda_intel v: kernel pcie: gen: 1 speed: 2.5 GT/s lanes: 16
link-max: gen: 3 speed: 8 GT/s bus-ID: 01:00.1 chip-ID: 10de:0e0a
class-ID: 0403
Device-3: C-Media USB Advanced Audio Device
driver: hid-generic,snd-usb-audio,usbhid type: USB rev: 1.1 speed: 12 Mb/s
lanes: 1 mode: 1.1 bus-ID: 3-2:3 chip-ID: 0d8c:016c class-ID: 0300
API: ALSA v: k6.5.9-zen2-1-zen status: kernel-api with: aoss
type: oss-emulator tools: N/A
Server-1: PipeWire v: 1.0.3 status: active with: 1: pipewire-pulse
status: active 2: wireplumber status: active 3: pipewire-alsa type: plugin
4: pw-jack type: plugin tools: pactl,pw-cat,pw-cli,wpctl
Network:
Device-1: Qualcomm Atheros Killer E220x Gigabit Ethernet
vendor: Micro-Star MSI driver: alx v: kernel pcie: gen: 1 speed: 2.5 GT/s
lanes: 1 port: d000 bus-ID: 03:00.0 chip-ID: 1969:e091 class-ID: 0200
IF: enp3s0 state: down mac: <filter>
Device-2: Qualcomm Atheros AR9462 Wireless Network Adapter vendor: Rivet
Networks Killer Wireless-N 1202 Half-size Mini PCIe Card driver: ath9k
v: kernel pcie: gen: 1 speed: 2.5 GT/s lanes: 1 bus-ID: 04:00.0
chip-ID: 168c:0034 class-ID: 0280
IF: wlp4s0 state: up mac: <filter>
Info: services: NetworkManager, systemd-timesyncd, wpa_supplicant
Bluetooth:
Device-1: Qualcomm Atheros AR3012 Bluetooth 4.0 driver: btusb v: 0.8
type: USB rev: 1.1 speed: 12 Mb/s lanes: 1 mode: 1.1 bus-ID: 3-11:6
chip-ID: 0cf3:3004 class-ID: e001
Report: btmgmt ID: hci0 rfk-id: 1 state: up address: <filter> bt-v: 4.1
lmp-v: 7 status: discoverable: no pairing: no class-ID: 7c010c
Drives:
Local Storage: total: 1.03 TiB used: 717.86 GiB (68.3%)
SMART Message: Unable to run smartctl. Root privileges required.
ID-1: /dev/sda maj-min: 8:0 vendor: SanDisk model: SD6SF1M128G
size: 119.24 GiB block-size: physical: 512 B logical: 512 B speed: 6.0 Gb/s
tech: SSD serial: <filter> fw-rev: 200 scheme: GPT
ID-2: /dev/sdb maj-min: 8:16 vendor: HGST (Hitachi) model: HTS721010A9E630
size: 931.51 GiB block-size: physical: 4096 B logical: 512 B speed: 6.0 Gb/s
tech: HDD rpm: 7200 serial: <filter> fw-rev: A3J0 scheme: GPT
Partition:
ID-1: / raw-size: 150.28 GiB size: 150.28 GiB (100.00%)
used: 79.34 GiB (52.8%) fs: btrfs dev: /dev/sdb4 maj-min: 8:20
ID-2: /boot/efi raw-size: 300 MiB size: 296 MiB (98.67%)
used: 56.2 MiB (19.0%) fs: vfat dev: /dev/sda2 maj-min: 8:2
ID-3: /home raw-size: 150.28 GiB size: 150.28 GiB (100.00%)
used: 79.34 GiB (52.8%) fs: btrfs dev: /dev/sdb4 maj-min: 8:20
ID-4: /var/log raw-size: 150.28 GiB size: 150.28 GiB (100.00%)
used: 79.34 GiB (52.8%) fs: btrfs dev: /dev/sdb4 maj-min: 8:20
ID-5: /var/tmp raw-size: 150.28 GiB size: 150.28 GiB (100.00%)
used: 79.34 GiB (52.8%) fs: btrfs dev: /dev/sdb4 maj-min: 8:20
Swap:
Kernel: swappiness: 133 (default 60) cache-pressure: 100 (default) zswap: no
ID-1: swap-1 type: zram size: 11.6 GiB used: 2.92 GiB (25.2%)
priority: 100 comp: zstd avail: lzo,lzo-rle,lz4,lz4hc,842 max-streams: 8
dev: /dev/zram0
Sensors:
System Temperatures: cpu: 67.0 C mobo: N/A gpu: nouveau temp: 57.0 C
Fan Speeds (rpm): N/A
Info:
Memory: total: 12 GiB available: 11.6 GiB used: 4.12 GiB (35.5%)
Processes: 303 Power: uptime: 2h 33m states: freeze,mem,disk suspend: deep
avail: s2idle wakeups: 0 hibernate: platform avail: shutdown, reboot,
suspend, test_resume image: 4.63 GiB services: org_kde_powerdevil,
power-profiles-daemon, upowerd Init: systemd v: 255 default: graphical
tool: systemctl
Packages: pm: pacman pkgs: 1963 libs: 573 tools: gnome-software, octopi,
pamac, paru, yay Compilers: gcc: 13.2.1 Shell: garuda-inxi default: fish
v: 3.7.0 running-in: konsole inxi: 3.3.33
Garuda (2.6.23-1):
System install date:     2024-02-13
Last full system update: 2024-02-13 ↻
Is partially upgraded:   No
Relevant software:       snapper NetworkManager dracut
Windows dual boot:       Probably (Run as root to verify)
Failed units:
2

What’s the problem with not posting garuda-inxi?
It contains additional, useful information about the status of your system.

:warning: Missing information requested in the template may result in not receiving assistance

Make sure you have done the following before you post:

Issue still unresolved? Then:

  • ONE issue per topic.

  • Describe your issue in detail. The more we know, the better we can help

  • Show us the results of your searches, and what you’ve tried

  • After rebooting, post the FULL output of garuda-inxi in the body of the post (not linked externally, or collapsed with the “hide details” feature)

  • Format terminal output (including your garuda-inxi) as a code block by clicking the preformatted text button (</>) , or put three tildes (~) above and below the text

Without garuda-inxi this request will be moved to 412 Precondition Failed

2 Likes
3

I ran this and it seems like the 390 driver didn’t get installed after all despite it going through the nvidia setup during the update portion. I see noveau driver is on there and I know this is the one I need to replace with proprietary nvidia driver.

4

Do not kid me? Please, we need the complete garuda-inxi.

It does not contain any compromising or personal data.

2 Likes
5

With your model you have to install the 470 series.
Try with:

sudo pacman -S nvidia-470xx-dkms nvidia-470xx-dkms-utils
3 Likes
6

I have updated the inxi to include everything now.

@filo I tried the code you sent in the terminal and got this:

error: target not found: nvidia-470xx-dkms-utils

I see that the dependencies installed right now are the 390 ones, however the inxi says I should be getting version 470. Maybe this is the issue.

7

This is probably some remnant from the previous installation of the 390 series.
Rather than getting into a fight to remove those packages, maybe you can restore a snapshot that before that installation, reboot, update your system and then install the right drivers?

3 Likes
8

I went back to the earliest snapshot before the update and didn’t let nvidia installation do its thing. I’m now following this guide: GitHub - korvahannu/arch-nvidia-drivers-installation-guide: A repository that holds a simple guide on how you can install and configure proprietary NVIDIA drivers for Arch Linux.

When I get to the part of driver install it seems to work however I get a lot of these warning messages like this: warning: warning given when extracting /usr/lib32/libnvidia-tls.so (Can't set permissions to 0777)
Do I need to do this from root?

9

There’s an update: nvidia-smi now communicates like it should with the GPU:

Tue Feb 13 23:07:38 2024
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| NVIDIA-SMI 470.223.02   Driver Version: 470.223.02   CUDA Version: 11.4     |
|-------------------------------+----------------------+----------------------+
| GPU  Name        Persistence-M| Bus-Id        Disp.A | Volatile Uncorr. ECC |
| Fan  Temp  Perf  Pwr:Usage/Cap|         Memory-Usage | GPU-Util  Compute M. |
|                               |                      |               MIG M. |
|===============================+======================+======================|
|   0  NVIDIA GeForce ...  Off  | 00000000:01:00.0 N/A |                  N/A |
| N/A   53C    P8    N/A /  N/A |      6MiB /  4037MiB |     N/A      Default |
|                               |                      |                  N/A |
+-------------------------------+----------------------+----------------------+

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Processes:                                                                  |
|  GPU   GI   CI        PID   Type   Process name                  GPU Memory |
|        ID   ID                                                   Usage      |
|=============================================================================|
|  No running processes found                                                 |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+

However steam games still will not launch and says they require DX11 version 10 to play. I do have DXVK installed as well using winetricks dxvk

10

Do you launch steam games with prime-run like here?

1 Like
11

Yes, in fact when I use prime-run in launch options the games won’t run, even when using PROTON_USE_WINED3D=1 %command% . When I remove prime-run it launches but uses my internal card and runs really bad. We’re talking 4fps with extreme graphical error. If I don’t include the proton command above I get the “DirectX 11 needed” error. I also want to add I installed the nvidia prime stuff after typing prime-run in the terminal. That lead to installing this. I can use the command succesfully to run glxgears for example.

12

Auch, sometimes I wish I was a gamer, or at least an nvidia user :wink:.
Maybe you are missing the lib32 drivers?
Looking at some topics in the forum, I think in the end you need all of these:
nvidia-470xx-dkms
nvidia-470xx-utils
nvidia-470xx-settings
lib32-nvidia-470xx-utils
lib32-opencl-nvidia-470xx
opencl-nvidia-470xx

2 Likes
13

I included all those on step 2 where the drivers get installed in the tutorial I followed. nvidia.hook gave an error during this. I also tried editing nvidia.conf file to use the dedicated GPU as primary. Still no luck though. Maybe my graphics card is just too outdated.

14

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