WebGL Support on Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano with Jetpack 6

Issue Overview

Users of Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano development boards have been experiencing difficulties with WebGL support and hardware acceleration in web browsers. This issue has been particularly problematic for those trying to run WebGL applications or view hardware-accelerated web content. The problem was prevalent in earlier versions of Jetpack, the software development kit for Jetson devices.

The issue manifested as poor performance when running WebGL content, with even simple webpages causing excessive CPU usage across all cores. This significantly impacted the user experience and limited the device’s capabilities for web-based graphics applications.

Possible Causes

1. Outdated Jetpack Version: Earlier versions of Jetpack may not have included proper support for WebGL and hardware acceleration on Jetson devices.

2. Browser Compatibility: Some browsers may not be optimized for the Jetson platform, leading to poor performance with WebGL content.

3. Snap Package Issues: The snap version of Firefox installed by default on Ubuntu 22.04 seems to have performance issues on the Jetson platform.

4. Driver Incompatibilities: Older graphics drivers may not properly support WebGL on the Jetson hardware.

5. System Configuration: Incorrect system settings or missing libraries could prevent proper WebGL functionality.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Update to Jetpack 6:

   • Flash your Jetson Orin Nano development kit with Jetpack 6.
   • This version appears to have improved WebGL support out of the box.

2. Install Firefox from Mozilla PPA:

   • Avoid using the snap version of Firefox on Ubuntu 22.04.
   • Install Firefox directly from the Mozilla PPA for better performance.
   • Use the following commands:

     sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mozillateam/ppa
     sudo apt update
     sudo apt install firefox
     

3. Try Alternative WebGL Support Solution:

   • For users on Jetpack 6.0DP, an alternative solution has been reported to work.
   • Visit the forum thread: "Webgl support on orin – #8 by DaneLLL" for detailed instructions.

4. Check Graphics Driver:

   • Ensure you have the latest NVIDIA graphics driver installed for your Jetson device.
   • Use the following command to check the driver version:

     nvidia-smi
     

5. Verify WebGL Support:

   • Open Firefox and navigate to about:support.
   • Look for the "Graphics" section and check if WebGL is listed as "enabled".

6. Test WebGL Performance:

   • Visit WebGL benchmark sites like https://webglreport.com/ to test your device’s WebGL capabilities.
   • Monitor CPU usage while running WebGL content to ensure it’s not excessive.

7. Update System Packages:

   • Ensure all system packages are up to date:

     sudo apt update
     sudo apt upgrade
     

8. Check for Conflicting Software:

   • Investigate if any installed software might be interfering with WebGL functionality.
   • Temporarily disable or uninstall suspect applications to isolate the issue.

By following these steps, users should be able to achieve functional WebGL support on their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano development boards with Jetpack 6. If issues persist, it may be necessary to consult NVIDIA’s official documentation or seek support from the Jetson community forums for more specific troubleshooting advice.