Unable to Install Nvidia CUDA Toolkit and Run nvcc Command on Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties in installing the Nvidia CUDA Toolkit and running the nvcc command on the Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board while using JetPack 6. The main symptoms reported include:

• The error message "CUDA backend failed to initialize: Unable to load cuPTI. Is it installed?" when attempting to run Python scripts that require CUDA support.
• The command nvcc --version returns "bash: nvcc: command not found."
• Attempts to install the Nvidia CUDA Toolkit using sudo apt install nvidia-cuda-toolkit result in unmet dependencies, specifically related to version mismatches (e.g., needing nvidia-cuda-dev (= 11.5.1-1ubuntu1) while trying to install version 6.0-b52).

The issue arises during the setup phase after successfully installing JetPack 6 through the SDK Manager on Ubuntu 20.04. Users report that despite following standard installation procedures, they encounter persistent errors, affecting their ability to utilize GPU capabilities for applications like whisper-jax.

Possible Causes

Several potential causes for this issue have been identified:

• Hardware Incompatibilities: There may be incompatibilities between the installed JetPack version and the CUDA toolkit version being requested.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: Conflicts between different versions of CUDA and other installed packages can lead to installation failures.

• Configuration Errors: Incorrect environment variable settings in .bashrc may prevent proper recognition of installed CUDA components.

• Driver Issues: Outdated or incompatible NVIDIA drivers could hinder the functionality of CUDA.

• Environmental Factors: Issues such as insufficient power supply or overheating could affect system performance and installation processes.

• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Users may inadvertently misconfigure their environment or package sources, leading to dependency issues.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

To resolve the issues with installing the Nvidia CUDA Toolkit and running the nvcc command, follow these comprehensive troubleshooting steps:

1. Verify Environment Variables:

   • Ensure that your .bashrc file contains the correct paths for CUDA:

     export PATH=/usr/local/cuda-12.2/bin:$PATH
     export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=/usr/local/cuda-12.2/lib64:$LD_LIBRARY_PATH
     

   • After editing .bashrc, run:

     source ~/.bashrc
     

2. Check Installed Packages:

   • Run the following command to check for broken packages:

     sudo apt-get check
     

3. Remove Unnecessary PPAs:

   • Use Software Updater to remove any unnecessary PPAs that may cause conflicts. Uncheck any PPAs that are not essential.

4. Update Package Lists:

   • Execute the following commands to ensure your package lists are up-to-date:

     sudo apt-get update
     sudo apt-get upgrade
     sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
     

5. Fix Broken Packages:

   • Attempt to fix broken packages with:

     sudo apt --fix-broken install
     

6. Install Nvidia CUDA Toolkit:

   • After ensuring there are no broken packages, try installing the Nvidia CUDA Toolkit again:

     sudo apt install nvidia-cuda-toolkit
     

7. Check CUDA Installation:

   • After installation, verify if nvcc is now recognized:

     nvcc --version
     

8. Reflash System (if necessary):

   • If issues persist, consider reflashing your system with a stable version of JetPack (e.g., r36). Check your current version with:

     cat /etc/nv_tegra_release
     

9. Seek Further Assistance:

   • If all else fails, consult NVIDIA forums or support for additional troubleshooting steps specific to your hardware configuration.

By following these steps, users have successfully resolved similar issues in past discussions, particularly by managing their PPA settings and ensuring correct package installations.