Install NVIDIA Driver
This guide covers installing the NVIDIA proprietary driver on a Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 running Ubuntu 26.04. These steps disable the Nouveau open-source driver and configure the system to use the discrete NVIDIA GPU exclusively.
System Specs
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop (24GB) |
| RAM | ~64GB (62 GiB usable) |
| Storage | 1TB SSD + 1TB SSD |
| Display | 16" 2560×1600 OLED 240Hz |
Do not use NVIDIA's apt repository at developer.download.nvidia.com/compute/cuda/repos/ubuntu2604/x86_64/ to install the driver on the Lenovo Legion. Those binaries will not work correctly with the Legion's iGPU configuration — you will get a black screen. Use the .run installer from the NVIDIA Unix Drivers page instead.
Step 1: Download the NVIDIA Driver
Download the driver from the NVIDIA Unix Drivers page. Choose version 610 or 595 depending on your preference.
Step 2: Blacklist the Nouveau Driver
The Nouveau open-source driver must be disabled before installing the NVIDIA proprietary driver:
sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-nouveau.conf > /dev/null << EOF
blacklist nouveau
options nouveau modeset=0
EOF
Then update the initramfs:
sudo update-initramfs -u
Step 3: Configure BIOS for Discrete Graphics
Reboot and press F2 to enter the BIOS. Navigate to the graphics settings and select Discrete Graphics (bottom right of the screen), then save and exit.
This disables the Intel iGPU entirely so the display manager only talks to the NVIDIA RTX GPU — avoiding Optimus/hybrid graphics conflicts.
Step 4: Switch to TTY and Stop the Display Manager
At the login screen, press Ctrl + Alt + F1 to switch to a TTY session, then stop the display manager:
# Ubuntu GNOME
sudo systemctl stop gdm3
# Unity
# sudo systemctl stop lightdm
# KDE
# sudo systemctl stop sddm
Step 5: Run the NVIDIA Installer
Run the downloaded installer (adjust the filename to match the version you downloaded):
sudo NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-610.43.02.run
# or
# sudo NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-595.80.run
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Step 6: Reboot
sudo reboot
Validation
After rebooting, verify the driver is installed and the GPU is detected:
nvidia-smi
You should see your GPU listed with the driver version and CUDA version.