ERROR: NVIDIA driver is not loaded

Hello,
I’ve just made a downgrade to a previous kernel version in Ubuntu, and displays are not working properly. I had a display connected over displayport working but without the posibility of changing resolution (only 1024x768 available), and the other display is connected over HDMI and it’s not working (not detected).
The driver that I have installed is nvidia-driver-535 - distro non-free recommended.
Ubuntu 22.04.3 LTS.

nvidia-settings

ERROR: NVIDIA driver is not loaded


(nvidia-settings:7616): GLib-GObject-CRITICAL **: 11:29:45.519: g_object_unref: assertion 'G_IS_OBJECT (object)' failed

** (nvidia-settings:7616): CRITICAL **: 11:29:45.520: ctk_powermode_new: assertion '(ctrl_target != NULL) && (ctrl_target->h != NULL)' failed

ERROR: nvidia-settings could not find the registry key file or the X server is not accessible. This
       file should have been installed along with this driver at
       /usr/share/nvidia/nvidia-application-profiles-key-documentation. The application profiles will
       continue to work, but values cannot be prepopulated or validated, and will not be listed in the
       help text. Please see the README for possible values and descriptions.

** Message: 11:29:45.536: PRIME: No offloading required. Abort
** Message: 11:29:45.536: PRIME: is it supported? no

nvidia-smi

NVIDIA-SMI has failed because it couldn't communicate with the NVIDIA driver. Make sure that the latest NVIDIA driver is installed and running.

uname -r

5.15.0-72-generic

Blockquote

5.15.0-72-generic

lspci -v | grep VGA

00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Device a780 (rev 04) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: NVIDIA Corporation Device 2507 (rev a1) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])

ubuntu-drivers devices

== /sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:01.0/0000:01:00.0 ==
modalias : pci:v000010DEd00002507sv00001458sd000040A9bc03sc00i00
vendor   : NVIDIA Corporation
driver   : nvidia-driver-545 - distro non-free
driver   : nvidia-driver-470-server - distro non-free
driver   : nvidia-driver-525-open - distro non-free
driver   : nvidia-driver-535-open - distro non-free
driver   : nvidia-driver-525-server - distro non-free
driver   : nvidia-driver-535-server - distro non-free
driver   : nvidia-driver-545-open - distro non-free
driver   : nvidia-driver-525 - distro non-free
driver   : nvidia-driver-470 - distro non-free
driver   : nvidia-driver-535 - distro non-free recommended
driver   : nvidia-driver-535-server-open - distro non-free
driver   : xserver-xorg-video-nouveau - distro free builtin

The command dkms status has no output.

I guess you had a precompiled, signed driver installed, matching your kernel. Please post the output of
dpkg -l |grep nvidia

Hello! Thank you for your quick reply!

dpkg -l |grep nvidia

ii  libnvidia-cfg1-535:amd64                                    535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA binary OpenGL/GLX configuration library
ii  libnvidia-common-535                                        535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             all          Shared files used by the NVIDIA libraries
rc  libnvidia-compute-470:amd64                                 470.223.02-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA libcompute package
rc  libnvidia-compute-525:amd64                                 525.147.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA libcompute package
ii  libnvidia-compute-535:amd64                                 535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA libcompute package
ii  libnvidia-compute-535:i386                                  535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             i386         NVIDIA libcompute package
rc  libnvidia-compute-545:amd64                                 545.29.06-0ubuntu0.22.04.2              amd64        NVIDIA libcompute package
ii  libnvidia-decode-535:amd64                                  535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA Video Decoding runtime libraries
ii  libnvidia-decode-535:i386                                   535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             i386         NVIDIA Video Decoding runtime libraries
ii  libnvidia-encode-535:amd64                                  535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVENC Video Encoding runtime library
ii  libnvidia-encode-535:i386                                   535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             i386         NVENC Video Encoding runtime library
ii  libnvidia-extra-535:amd64                                   535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        Extra libraries for the NVIDIA driver
ii  libnvidia-fbc1-535:amd64                                    535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA OpenGL-based Framebuffer Capture runtime library
ii  libnvidia-fbc1-535:i386                                     535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             i386         NVIDIA OpenGL-based Framebuffer Capture runtime library
ii  libnvidia-gl-535:amd64                                      535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA OpenGL/GLX/EGL/GLES GLVND libraries and Vulkan ICD
ii  libnvidia-gl-535:i386                                       535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             i386         NVIDIA OpenGL/GLX/EGL/GLES GLVND libraries and Vulkan ICD
rc  linux-modules-nvidia-470-6.5.0-15-generic                   6.5.0-15.15~22.04.1+1                   amd64        Linux kernel nvidia modules for version 6.5.0-15
rc  linux-modules-nvidia-525-6.5.0-15-generic                   6.5.0-15.15~22.04.1+1                   amd64        Linux kernel nvidia modules for version 6.5.0-15
rc  linux-modules-nvidia-535-6.5.0-14-generic                   6.5.0-14.14~22.04.1+5                   amd64        Linux kernel nvidia modules for version 6.5.0-14
ii  linux-modules-nvidia-535-6.5.0-15-generic                   6.5.0-15.15~22.04.1+1                   amd64        Linux kernel nvidia modules for version 6.5.0-15
ii  linux-modules-nvidia-535-generic-hwe-22.04                  6.5.0-15.15~22.04.1+1                   amd64        Extra drivers for nvidia-535 for the generic-hwe-22.04 flavour
ii  linux-objects-nvidia-470-6.5.0-15-generic                   6.5.0-15.15~22.04.1+1                   amd64        Linux kernel nvidia modules for version 6.5.0-15 (objects)
ii  linux-objects-nvidia-525-6.5.0-15-generic                   6.5.0-15.15~22.04.1+1                   amd64        Linux kernel nvidia modules for version 6.5.0-15 (objects)
rc  linux-objects-nvidia-535-6.5.0-14-generic                   6.5.0-14.14~22.04.1+5                   amd64        Linux kernel nvidia modules for version 6.5.0-14 (objects)
ii  linux-objects-nvidia-535-6.5.0-15-generic                   6.5.0-15.15~22.04.1+1                   amd64        Linux kernel nvidia modules for version 6.5.0-15 (objects)
ii  linux-signatures-nvidia-6.5.0-15-generic                    6.5.0-15.15~22.04.1+1                   amd64        Linux kernel signatures for nvidia modules for version 6.5.0-15-generic
ii  nvidia-compute-utils-535                                    535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA compute utilities
ii  nvidia-driver-535                                           535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA driver metapackage
ii  nvidia-firmware-535-535.154.05                              535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        Firmware files used by the kernel module
ii  nvidia-kernel-common-535                                    535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        Shared files used with the kernel module
ii  nvidia-kernel-source-535                                    535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA kernel source package
ii  nvidia-prime                                                0.8.17.1                                all          Tools to enable NVIDIA's Prime
ii  nvidia-settings                                             510.47.03-0ubuntu1                      amd64        Tool for configuring the NVIDIA graphics driver
ii  nvidia-utils-535                                            535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA driver support binaries
ri  screen-resolution-extra                                     0.18.2                                  all          Extension for the nvidia-settings control panel
ii  xserver-xorg-video-nvidia-535                               535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA binary Xorg driver

Like suspected, you have signed modules for kernel 6.5.0-15 installed, likely due to having secure boot enabled.

so would need to replace those with the 5.15.0-72 ones, if those still exist in ubuntu repo.
I guess you should try uninstalling the driver by switching to “nouveau” in Software&Updates and then reinstall the driver by switching back to 535/545. Then use
dpkg -l |grep nvidia
again to check what got installed.

Forgot: no reboot between steps to avoid additional failures.

I’ve just done what you say, without rebooting.

dpkg -l |grep nvidia

ii  libnvidia-cfg1-535:amd64                                    535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA binary OpenGL/GLX configuration library
ii  libnvidia-common-535                                        535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             all          Shared files used by the NVIDIA libraries
rc  libnvidia-compute-470:amd64                                 470.223.02-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA libcompute package
rc  libnvidia-compute-525:amd64                                 525.147.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA libcompute package
ii  libnvidia-compute-535:amd64                                 535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA libcompute package
ii  libnvidia-compute-535:i386                                  535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             i386         NVIDIA libcompute package
rc  libnvidia-compute-545:amd64                                 545.29.06-0ubuntu0.22.04.2              amd64        NVIDIA libcompute package
ii  libnvidia-decode-535:amd64                                  535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA Video Decoding runtime libraries
ii  libnvidia-decode-535:i386                                   535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             i386         NVIDIA Video Decoding runtime libraries
ii  libnvidia-encode-535:amd64                                  535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVENC Video Encoding runtime library
ii  libnvidia-encode-535:i386                                   535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             i386         NVENC Video Encoding runtime library
ii  libnvidia-extra-535:amd64                                   535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        Extra libraries for the NVIDIA driver
ii  libnvidia-fbc1-535:amd64                                    535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA OpenGL-based Framebuffer Capture runtime library
ii  libnvidia-fbc1-535:i386                                     535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             i386         NVIDIA OpenGL-based Framebuffer Capture runtime library
ii  libnvidia-gl-535:amd64                                      535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA OpenGL/GLX/EGL/GLES GLVND libraries and Vulkan ICD
ii  libnvidia-gl-535:i386                                       535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             i386         NVIDIA OpenGL/GLX/EGL/GLES GLVND libraries and Vulkan ICD
rc  linux-modules-nvidia-470-6.5.0-15-generic                   6.5.0-15.15~22.04.1+1                   amd64        Linux kernel nvidia modules for version 6.5.0-15
rc  linux-modules-nvidia-525-6.5.0-15-generic                   6.5.0-15.15~22.04.1+1                   amd64        Linux kernel nvidia modules for version 6.5.0-15
rc  linux-modules-nvidia-535-6.5.0-14-generic                   6.5.0-14.14~22.04.1+5                   amd64        Linux kernel nvidia modules for version 6.5.0-14
ii  linux-modules-nvidia-535-6.5.0-15-generic                   6.5.0-15.15~22.04.1+1                   amd64        Linux kernel nvidia modules for version 6.5.0-15
ii  linux-modules-nvidia-535-generic-hwe-22.04                  6.5.0-15.15~22.04.1+1                   amd64        Extra drivers for nvidia-535 for the generic-hwe-22.04 flavour
ii  linux-objects-nvidia-470-6.5.0-15-generic                   6.5.0-15.15~22.04.1+1                   amd64        Linux kernel nvidia modules for version 6.5.0-15 (objects)
ii  linux-objects-nvidia-525-6.5.0-15-generic                   6.5.0-15.15~22.04.1+1                   amd64        Linux kernel nvidia modules for version 6.5.0-15 (objects)
rc  linux-objects-nvidia-535-6.5.0-14-generic                   6.5.0-14.14~22.04.1+5                   amd64        Linux kernel nvidia modules for version 6.5.0-14 (objects)
ii  linux-objects-nvidia-535-6.5.0-15-generic                   6.5.0-15.15~22.04.1+1                   amd64        Linux kernel nvidia modules for version 6.5.0-15 (objects)
ii  linux-signatures-nvidia-6.5.0-15-generic                    6.5.0-15.15~22.04.1+1                   amd64        Linux kernel signatures for nvidia modules for version 6.5.0-15-generic
ii  nvidia-compute-utils-535                                    535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA compute utilities
ii  nvidia-driver-535                                           535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA driver metapackage
ii  nvidia-firmware-535-535.154.05                              535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        Firmware files used by the kernel module
ii  nvidia-kernel-common-535                                    535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        Shared files used with the kernel module
ii  nvidia-kernel-source-535                                    535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA kernel source package
ii  nvidia-prime                                                0.8.17.1                                all          Tools to enable NVIDIA's Prime
ii  nvidia-settings                                             510.47.03-0ubuntu1                      amd64        Tool for configuring the NVIDIA graphics driver
ii  nvidia-utils-535                                            535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA driver support binaries
ri  screen-resolution-extra                                     0.18.2                                  all          Extension for the nvidia-settings control panel
ii  xserver-xorg-video-nvidia-535                               535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA binary Xorg driver

And it seems that they are linked to the same kernel version.

That’s not the wanted outcome. How did you switch back to the 5.15 kernel? Looks like the system still thinks you have the HWE kernel enabled.

I switched back to the 5.15 kernel version by installing it manually (sudo apt install …) from the 6.5 kernel version (default when installing Ubuntu 22.04).

That’s not really recommended with your setup (signed modules), also 5.15.0-72 is quite old, current should be -94.
Please see this about how to switch from HWE (6.5) kernel back to GA (5.15) kernel:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/LTSEnablementStack

I did what the post says, and is not working yet.

dpkg -l |grep nvidia

ii  libnvidia-cfg1-535:amd64                                    535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA binary OpenGL/GLX configuration library
ii  libnvidia-common-535                                        535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             all          Shared files used by the NVIDIA libraries
rc  libnvidia-compute-470:amd64                                 470.223.02-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA libcompute package
rc  libnvidia-compute-525:amd64                                 525.147.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA libcompute package
ii  libnvidia-compute-535:amd64                                 535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA libcompute package
ii  libnvidia-compute-535:i386                                  535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             i386         NVIDIA libcompute package
rc  libnvidia-compute-545:amd64                                 545.29.06-0ubuntu0.22.04.2              amd64        NVIDIA libcompute package
ii  libnvidia-decode-535:amd64                                  535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA Video Decoding runtime libraries
ii  libnvidia-decode-535:i386                                   535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             i386         NVIDIA Video Decoding runtime libraries
ii  libnvidia-encode-535:amd64                                  535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVENC Video Encoding runtime library
ii  libnvidia-encode-535:i386                                   535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             i386         NVENC Video Encoding runtime library
ii  libnvidia-extra-535:amd64                                   535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        Extra libraries for the NVIDIA driver
ii  libnvidia-fbc1-535:amd64                                    535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA OpenGL-based Framebuffer Capture runtime library
ii  libnvidia-fbc1-535:i386                                     535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             i386         NVIDIA OpenGL-based Framebuffer Capture runtime library
ii  libnvidia-gl-535:amd64                                      535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA OpenGL/GLX/EGL/GLES GLVND libraries and Vulkan ICD
ii  libnvidia-gl-535:i386                                       535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             i386         NVIDIA OpenGL/GLX/EGL/GLES GLVND libraries and Vulkan ICD
rc  linux-modules-nvidia-470-6.5.0-15-generic                   6.5.0-15.15~22.04.1+1                   amd64        Linux kernel nvidia modules for version 6.5.0-15
rc  linux-modules-nvidia-525-6.5.0-15-generic                   6.5.0-15.15~22.04.1+1                   amd64        Linux kernel nvidia modules for version 6.5.0-15
ii  linux-modules-nvidia-535-5.15.0-92-generic                  5.15.0-92.102+1                         amd64        Linux kernel nvidia modules for version 5.15.0-92
rc  linux-modules-nvidia-535-6.5.0-14-generic                   6.5.0-14.14~22.04.1+5                   amd64        Linux kernel nvidia modules for version 6.5.0-14
ii  linux-modules-nvidia-535-6.5.0-15-generic                   6.5.0-15.15~22.04.1+1                   amd64        Linux kernel nvidia modules for version 6.5.0-15
ii  linux-modules-nvidia-535-generic                            5.15.0-92.102+1                         amd64        Extra drivers for nvidia-535 for the generic flavour
ii  linux-modules-nvidia-535-generic-hwe-22.04                  6.5.0-15.15~22.04.1+1                   amd64        Extra drivers for nvidia-535 for the generic-hwe-22.04 flavour
ii  linux-objects-nvidia-470-6.5.0-15-generic                   6.5.0-15.15~22.04.1+1                   amd64        Linux kernel nvidia modules for version 6.5.0-15 (objects)
ii  linux-objects-nvidia-525-6.5.0-15-generic                   6.5.0-15.15~22.04.1+1                   amd64        Linux kernel nvidia modules for version 6.5.0-15 (objects)
ii  linux-objects-nvidia-535-5.15.0-92-generic                  5.15.0-92.102+1                         amd64        Linux kernel nvidia modules for version 5.15.0-92 (objects)
rc  linux-objects-nvidia-535-6.5.0-14-generic                   6.5.0-14.14~22.04.1+5                   amd64        Linux kernel nvidia modules for version 6.5.0-14 (objects)
ii  linux-objects-nvidia-535-6.5.0-15-generic                   6.5.0-15.15~22.04.1+1                   amd64        Linux kernel nvidia modules for version 6.5.0-15 (objects)
ii  linux-signatures-nvidia-5.15.0-92-generic                   5.15.0-92.102+1                         amd64        Linux kernel signatures for nvidia modules for version 5.15.0-92-generic
ii  linux-signatures-nvidia-6.5.0-15-generic                    6.5.0-15.15~22.04.1+1                   amd64        Linux kernel signatures for nvidia modules for version 6.5.0-15-generic
ii  nvidia-compute-utils-535                                    535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA compute utilities
ii  nvidia-driver-535                                           535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA driver metapackage
ii  nvidia-firmware-535-535.154.05                              535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        Firmware files used by the kernel module
ii  nvidia-kernel-common-535                                    535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        Shared files used with the kernel module
ii  nvidia-kernel-source-535                                    535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA kernel source package
ii  nvidia-prime                                                0.8.17.1                                all          Tools to enable NVIDIA's Prime
ii  nvidia-settings                                             510.47.03-0ubuntu1                      amd64        Tool for configuring the NVIDIA graphics driver
ii  nvidia-utils-535                                            535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA driver support binaries
ri  screen-resolution-extra                                     0.18.2                                  all          Extension for the nvidia-settings control panel
ii  xserver-xorg-video-nvidia-535                               535.154.05-0ubuntu0.22.04.1             amd64        NVIDIA binary Xorg driver

EDIT: I did not apply the step of removing the other kernel flavours, because the other steps are not working. Should I have to do this?

Should I reinstall the OS with Ubuntu 20.04 version?

You now have the correct modules installed

ii  linux-modules-nvidia-535-5.15.0-92-generic 

so a reboot should get you to kernel 5.15 with a working nvidia driver.

It is not working yet. I’m going to install Ubuntu 20.04.

No, don’t do that. 20.04 is nearly out of support. The better option is to use 22.04 and choose GA kernel instead of HWE kernel.
Nonetheless, please check you booted the correct kernel
cat /proc/version
Since you manually installed 5.15.0-72 and selected that in grub, it will stay so. You likely have to just select the -92 kernel in grub.

Okay, I stay in 22.04.
I just try to reboot with the settings done, and the computer is not starting. It stays in a black screen forever. So it’s not working yet.

Hello.

How did you install your drivers?
Or can you share the steps you followed?