Nvidia Driver Incompatibility Issue on Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board

Issue Overview

Users of the Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit are experiencing a critical system failure after installing the nvidia-driver-535 package. The issue manifests as follows:

• The system only displays the NVIDIA BIOS startup screen
• The monitor subsequently shows a "NO SIGNAL" message
• The Jetson continues to run in the background
• Keyboard and mouse remain functional
• Users are unable to access the graphical interface or regular terminal

This problem occurs immediately after rebooting the system following the installation of the incompatible driver package. The issue effectively renders the system unusable for most purposes, severely impacting user productivity and system functionality.

Possible Causes

The primary cause of this issue is the installation of an incompatible GPU driver:

1. Incorrect Driver Type: The nvidia-driver-535 package is designed for discrete GPUs (dGPUs) that connect via the PCI bus. However, the Jetson Orin Nano uses an integrated GPU (iGPU), which requires a different driver architecture.

2. Driver Mismatch: The installed driver is not compatible with the Jetson’s hardware architecture, leading to a failure in the graphics subsystem.

3. Improper Installation Method: Using standard package management tools to install GPU drivers on a Jetson device can lead to conflicts with the specialized NVIDIA drivers required for these systems.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To resolve this issue and prevent future occurrences, follow these steps:

1. Access Terminal via UART:

   • Connect to the Jetson Orin Nano using a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) connection.
   • This allows access to a terminal interface even when the graphical output is non-functional.

2. Remove Incompatible Driver:

   • Once connected via UART, use the following command to purge the incompatible driver:

     sudo apt purge nvidia-driver-535
     

   • This will remove the problematic driver package and its configurations.

3. Reboot the System:

   • After purging the driver, reboot the Jetson to restore normal functionality:

     sudo reboot
     

4. Use JetPack/SDK Manager for Driver Installation:

   • For future driver updates or installations, always use the NVIDIA JetPack or SDK Manager.
   • These tools ensure that you install the correct drivers compatible with your Jetson device.

5. Flash with Correct L4T Version:

   • Use JetPack/SDK Manager to flash the latest compatible Linux for Tegra (L4T) version.
   • Choose either the most recent L4T R35.x or 36.x release, which uses the mainline kernel.
   • Visit https://developer.nvidia.com/linux-tegra for more information on L4T releases.

6. Understand L4T and JetPack Relationship:

   • L4T is the actual system image that gets flashed onto the Jetson device.
   • It includes Ubuntu and NVIDIA drivers specifically tailored for Jetson hardware.
   • JetPack and SDK Manager are front-end tools that facilitate the flashing process and ensure correct software installation.

7. Regular System Updates:

   • Keep your Jetson system updated using the appropriate NVIDIA-provided tools to avoid compatibility issues.
   • Regularly check for updates through the SDK Manager.

By following these steps, users can recover from the driver incompatibility issue and ensure proper driver installation in the future. Always use NVIDIA-provided tools and drivers specifically designed for Jetson devices to maintain system stability and performance.