[WSL2 + Ubuntu 24.04 LTS] NVIDIA GPU detected but WSLg not working (OpenGL = llvmpipe)

[lucasmagalhaes386]

Tags: #WSL2 #Ubuntu2404 #WSLg #NVIDIA #OpenGL #CUDA

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🧩 Context

I’m using Windows 11 with WSL2 and Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, trying to run Gazebo / RViz / OpenGL apps with NVIDIA GPU acceleration through WSLg.
CUDA works, but OpenGL still falls back to software rendering (llvmpipe).

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⚙️ Environment

Component	Version / Info
Windows	11 Pro – build 26100.6725
WSL	2.6.1.0
Kernel	6.6.87.2-microsoft-standard-WSL2
WSLg	1.0.66
Ubuntu	24.04.3 LTS
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050
Driver (Windows)	581.42
CUDA	13.0

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🧪 What I have tested

1. ✅ GPU detected

   nvidia-smi
   
   

   → Works fine, GPU and driver visible.

2. ❌ No WSLg detected

   echo $WSLG
   
   

   → Empty output.

3. ❌ OpenGL renderer = software

   glxinfo | grep "OpenGL renderer"
   
   

   → Output: llvmpipe (LLVM 20.1.2, 256 bits) (CPU rendering only).

4. ✅ Fix attempts

   • Removed manual DISPLAY and LIBGL_ALWAYS_INDIRECT from .bashrc

   • Ran:

     wsl --update
     wsl --shutdown
     
     

   • Tried reinstalling WSLg manually:

     Add-AppxPackage -Register "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\MicrosoftCorporationII.WindowsSubsystemForLinux_1.0.66.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\AppxManifest.xml"
     
     

     → Path not found (new WSL integrates WSLg).

5. ❌ Alternative (VcXsrv)

   • xeyes works, but still software rendering.

   • OpenGL fallback remains llvmpipe.

6. ⚙️ NVIDIA bug report

   sudo nvidia-bug-report.sh
   
   

   → Report generated, but /proc/driver/nvidia/version missing (expected in WSL2).

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🚫 Current status

• nvidia-smi ✅ Works

• CUDA ✅ Works

• OpenGL ❌ Software rendering (no GPU acceleration)

• WSLg ❌ Seems inactive on Ubuntu 24.04

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❓ Question

Is there a known incompatibility between WSLg and Ubuntu 24.04 LTS?
If so, should I switch back to Ubuntu 22.04 LTS to get NVIDIA OpenGL hardware acceleration?
Or is there a way to force-enable WSLg on Ubuntu 24.04 under Windows 11?

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📎 Logs available

here is my nvidia-bug-report

nvidia-bug-report.log.gz (191.9 KB)

[dexforint]

The same problem! Did anyone solve that?

[StefanG3D]

In WSL the HW graphics driver is not “native”, but using a DirectX 12 translation layer.

Similar to XBOX: OpenGL® on DX12 enables STEEL ASSAULT to launch on Xbox - DirectX Developer Blog

Get latest driver from https://launchpad.net/\~kisak/+archive/ubuntu/kisak-mesa

export MESA_D3D12_DEFAULT_ADAPTER_NAME=NVIDIA
export GALLIUM_DRIVER=d3d12
export LIBGL_ALWAYS_SOFTWARE=false

[cipherswami]

Thanks Man, till now I didn’t know my WSL has direct GPU access, when Tried to launch electron based app it took eternity to open, now that GPU is exposed it is opening in a flash.