[Oracle Linux 9] Unable to load the kernel module 'nvidia.ko'

[rgaveiga]

Hello all,

I'm getting this message after trying to install Nvidia drivers using the .run script downloaded from Nvidia website. I've tried different versions of the driver, from 550 to 590, it does not matter, same error. Anyone else experiencing the same issue?

I recently upgraded the Linux kernel to 6.*, not sure if it has something to to with this problem.

If someone knows a solution or workaround, I would appreciate to know.

Best regards,

Roberto

 

[CaffeineAddict]

Hi, few questions..

How do you install the run file?
Do you run in text mode or from desktop?
What's your GPU model?
Are there any errors during install?

When you reboot and get Unable to load the kernel module 'nvidia.ko' run sudo dmesg and inspect it to see why module loading fails.

It's possible because driver isn't signed, if that's the case disable secure boot.

 

[f33dm3bits]

You didn't share the error?

Guessing you have a modern gpu in your system? I would just install the Nvidia cuda repo, from there you can just install the needed Nvidia driver.

CUDA Installation Guide for Linux — Installation Guide for Linux 13.2 documentation

The installation instructions for the CUDA Toolkit on Linux.

docs.nvidia.com

 

[rgaveiga]

Hi, few questions..

How do you install the run file?
Do you run in text mode or from desktop?
What's your GPU model?
Are there any errors during install?

When you reboot and get Unable to load the kernel module 'nvidia.ko' run sudo dmesg and inspect it to see why module loading fails.

It's possible because driver isn't signed, if that's the case disable secure boot.

Do you run in text mode or from desktop?

Text mode.

What's your GPU model?

Sorry, I forgot to mention that it's an old Nvidia Quadro P6000 graphics card. I'd like to replace it with a newer one, but I'm afraid of spending money and not being able to install even a newer card.
I've never had this problem before. It worked normally; I've been using this card since 2018.

Are there any errors during install?

No, it compiles, but then I get this error at the end of the installation process, when the script tries to load the card.
Secure boot is disabled.

 

[f33dm3bits]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that it's an old Nvidia Quadro P6000 graphics card. I'd like to replace it with a newer one, but I'm afraid of spending money and not being able to install even a newer card.
I've never had this problem before. It worked normally; I've been using this card since 2018.

I'm still using a P2000 with the "580.119.02" driver works fine.

No, it compiles, but then I get this error at the end of the installation process, when the script tries to load the card.
Secure boot is disabled.

What error are you getting?

 

[rgaveiga]

You didn't share the error?

Guessing you have a modern gpu in your system? I would just install the Nvidia cuda repo, from there you can just install the needed Nvidia driver.

CUDA Installation Guide for Linux — Installation Guide for Linux 13.2 documentation

The installation instructions for the CUDA Toolkit on Linux.

docs.nvidia.com

It's an old Nvidia Quadro P6000. I beleive it stopped working after I upgraded the Linux kernel from 5.14 to 6.12 (dnf upgrade).

I would just install the Nvidia cuda repo, from there you can just install the needed Nvidia driver.

I tried it. It installs everything, but then when I ran nvidia-smi it says "NVIDIA-SMI has failed because it couldn't communicate with the NVIDIA driver. Make sure that the latest NVIDIA driver is installed and running."

 

[CaffeineAddict]

Nvidia Quadro P6000

There is no 64 bit driver for this GPU, only 32 bit x86 drivers exist, the latest one is this 390.157

Driver Details | NVIDIA

Download the <dd~LanguageName> <dd~Name> for <dd~OSName> systems. Released <dd~ReleaseDateTime>

www.nvidia.com

Is your computer 32 bit?

 

[f33dm3bits]

It's an old Nvidia Quadro P6000. I beleive it stopped working after I upgraded the Linux kernel from 5.14 to 6.12 (dnf upgrade).

I'm running that driver on Debian 13 with the 6.12 kernel.

root@legion:~# uname -a
Linux legion.lan.feedmebits.nl 6.12.57+deb13-amd64 #1 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Debian 6.12.57-1 (2025-11-05) x86_64 GNU/Linux
root@legion:~# nvidia-smi
Fri Dec 26 21:57:32 2025
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| NVIDIA-SMI 580.119.02             Driver Version: 580.119.02     CUDA Version: 13.0     |

Looks like the P6000 is newer than the P2000 than I have and still should be supported by the 580 driver.

 

[rgaveiga]

I'm still using a P2000 with the "580.119.02" driver works fine.


What error are you getting?

There is no 64 bit driver for this GPU, only 32 bit x86 drivers exist, the latest one is this 390.157

Driver Details | NVIDIA

Download the <dd~LanguageName> <dd~Name> for <dd~OSName> systems. Released <dd~ReleaseDateTime>

www.nvidia.com

Is your computer 32 bit?

Sorry, P600. I downloaded the driver from Nvidia web site. As I said, the card worked for years... the last driver that worked was 550. It is 64 bit.

 

[CaffeineAddict]

Looks like the P6000 is newer than the P2000 than I have and still should be supported by the 580 driver.

If you click on "supported products" on downloads page you won't see it listed on any of the 64 bit drivers.
Maybe I missed something but 390.157 is the latest one for that GPU and there is only 32 bit.

 

[rgaveiga]

I'm running that driver on Debian 13 with the 6.12 kernel.

root@legion:~# uname -a
Linux legion.lan.feedmebits.nl 6.12.57+deb13-amd64 #1 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Debian 6.12.57-1 (2025-11-05) x86_64 GNU/Linux
root@legion:~# nvidia-smi
Fri Dec 26 21:57:32 2025
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| NVIDIA-SMI 580.119.02             Driver Version: 580.119.02     CUDA Version: 13.0     |

Looks like the P6000 is newer than the P2000 than I have and still should be supported by the 580 driver.
View attachment 29505

Yes, I can't see any reason why it stopped working, it used to be straightforward to install the card.
Maybe it is time do leave Oracle Linux.

 

[f33dm3bits]

Sorry, P600. I downloaded the driver from Nvidia web site. As I said, the card worked for years... the last driver that worked was 550. It is 64 bit.

Looks like the P600 is still supported by the 580 driver.

 

[f33dm3bits]

I tried it. It installs everything, but then when I ran nvidia-smi it says "NVIDIA-SMI has failed because it couldn't communicate with the NVIDIA driver. Make sure that the latest NVIDIA driver is installed and running."

What happens when you install the driver with the run file, you will need "kernel-devel" and "dkms" installed.

Driver Details | NVIDIA

Download the <dd~LanguageName> <dd~Name> for <dd~OSName> systems. Released <dd~ReleaseDateTime>

www.nvidia.com

 

[CaffeineAddict]

@rgaveiga

run sudo dmesg and inspect it to see why module loading fails.