Nvidia is Not in the Sudoers File Error on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano

Issue Overview

Users are encountering an error message indicating that "Nvidia is not in the sudoers file" when attempting to install dependencies on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano. This issue arises particularly when a user with remote access via SSH tries to execute commands that require elevated privileges.

• Symptoms: The error message prevents users from installing necessary packages or dependencies, which can impede development and software setup.

• Context: The problem occurs during attempts to install software or dependencies on the Jetson device, particularly when accessed remotely by a teammate using SSH.

• Hardware/Software Specifications:

  • Device: Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano
  • Operating System: Initially Ubuntu 20.04, later updated to Ubuntu 23.04.

• Frequency: This issue appears to be a common problem for users who have recently changed user permissions or upgraded their operating system.

• Impact on User Experience: The inability to use sudo can significantly hinder development efforts, as users cannot install or manage software effectively.

Possible Causes

Several factors may contribute to the "not in the sudoers file" error:

• User Permissions: The user account attempting to run commands may not have been granted sudo privileges, leading to this error when trying to execute commands requiring elevated permissions.

• OS Upgrade Impact: The upgrade from Ubuntu 20.04 to 23.04 may have altered user permissions or configurations, resulting in the current user not being recognized as a sudoer.

• Configuration Errors: If the /etc/sudoers file has been improperly modified or corrupted, it could prevent certain users from gaining access to sudo.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To resolve the "Nvidia is not in the sudoers file" error on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Check User Group Membership:

   • Verify if the user is part of the sudo group by running:

     grep sudo /etc/group
     

   • If the user is not listed, they will need to be added to the sudo group.

2. Add User to Sudoers Group:

   • If you have access to a user account with sudo privileges, you can add the affected user to the sudo group:

     sudo usermod -aG sudo <username>
     

   • Replace <username> with the actual username of the account experiencing issues.

3. Modify Sudoers File (if necessary):

   • If you have access as a superuser, you can edit the sudoers file using visudo, which helps prevent syntax errors:

     sudo visudo
     

   • Add a line for your user if it’s not already present:

     <username> ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL
     

4. Reboot or Re-login:

   • After making changes to group memberships or configurations, either reboot the system or log out and back in for changes to take effect.

5. Check for OS Upgrade Issues:

   • If recent upgrades are suspected of causing issues, consider reverting changes if possible or re-flashing the device with a stable version of Ubuntu compatible with Jetson devices.

6. Seek Community Support:

   • If problems persist after following these steps, consider reaching out to community forums for additional assistance from users who may have encountered similar issues.

7. Unresolved Aspects:

   • Users may need further clarification on how OS upgrades impact user permissions and configurations specific to Nvidia Jetson devices.
   • Additional investigation may be required into best practices for managing user permissions after system upgrades.

By following these steps, users should be able to troubleshoot and resolve issues related to "Nvidia is not in the sudoers file" while working on their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano devices.