How to Install NVIDIA & Intel Graphics Drivers in Arch Linux (2025 Guide)

Installing graphics drivers properly is one of the most important steps after setting up Arch Linux. Whether you’re using Intel integrated graphics (like HD 4000) or a dedicated NVIDIA GPU, the right driver ensures smooth performance, proper hardware acceleration, and lag-free video playback.

This guide covers both NVIDIA and Intel graphics setup — from driver installation to troubleshooting common issues.

🧠 Why Drivers Matter

Without the correct drivers:

• Video playback lags or tears.
• Games and rendering apps crash.
• GPU features like hardware acceleration don’t work.
• The system falls back to software rendering, increasing CPU load.

Installing the right driver fixes all of this.

⚙️ Step 1: Update Your System

Always start by syncing your package database and upgrading your system:

sudo pacman -Syu

This ensures you’re working with the latest kernel and package versions — critical for compatibility.

💻 Step 2: Identify Your Graphics Card

Run the following command to detect your GPU:

lspci | grep -E "VGA|3D"

Example output:

00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation HD Graphics 4000
01:00.0 3D controller: NVIDIA Corporation GK107M [GeForce GT 650M]

This shows both Intel and NVIDIA GPUs (common on laptops with hybrid graphics).

🧩 Step 3: Install Graphics Drivers

🟦 A. For Intel Graphics (HD, UHD, or Iris) Arch Linux already supports Intel GPUs via open-source Mesa drivers.

Run:

sudo pacman -S mesa lib32-mesa vulkan-intel lib32-vulkan-intel

For video acceleration (hardware-accelerated decoding):

sudo pacman -S libva-intel-driver intel-media-driver

📝 Tip:

• intel-media-driver is recommended for 8th Gen or newer CPUs.
• libva-intel-driver works better for older ones (like HD 4000 / HD 3000).

To check video acceleration support:

vainfo | grep "Driver version"

If it shows a valid driver (not “dummy”), it’s working!

🟨 B. For NVIDIA Graphics

1. Detect GPU Series Run:

   lspci | grep -E "NVIDIA"
   

   Then check your GPU model on NVIDIA’s official driver list or use Arch Wiki’s NVIDIA page.

2. Install the Correct Driver

Example (for modern cards):

sudo pacman -S nvidia nvidia-utils lib32-nvidia-utils

3. Enable DKMS for Kernel Updates If you’re using a custom kernel (e.g., Zen, LTS):

   sudo pacman -S dkms
   

   Then rebuild drivers automatically when updating kernels.

🧠 Step 4: Enable Hardware Acceleration

For Intel: Create (or edit) this config file:

sudo nano /etc/environment

Add:

LIBVA_DRIVER_NAME=iHD
VDPAU_DRIVER=va_gl

Restart your system:

sudo reboot

Test video playback using:

mpv --hwdec=auto video.mp4

If it plays smoothly, hardware decoding is active.

For NVIDIA: Install the Vulkan and VDPAU packages:

sudo pacman -S nvidia-settings nvidia-utils libvdpau libva-vdpau-driver lib32-libvdpau

Then load the kernel module:

sudo modprobe nvidia

To verify:

nvidia-smi

You should see GPU utilization stats.

For video acceleration test:

vdpauinfo | grep "Decoder"

💡 Step 5: Enable Hybrid Graphics (Laptops Only)

If your laptop has both Intel + NVIDIA GPUs, install prime utilities for hybrid management:

sudo pacman -S nvidia-prime

To run apps using the NVIDIA GPU:

prime-run firefox

🧠 Tip: Add prime-run to your game launcher commands for Steam or Lutris.

🧰 Step 6: Troubleshooting Common Problems

❌ Screen Tearing Install Picom or Kwin compositor and enable VSync:

sudo pacman -S picom

Then run:

picom --vsync

❌ Black Screen After Boot Edit your GRUB line:

sudo nano /etc/default/grub

Find the line: GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash"

Add: nouveau.modeset=0

Then update GRUB:

sudo grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

❌ NVIDIA Settings Not Saving Run:

sudo nvidia-settings

and click Save to X Configuration File → /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-nvidia.conf.

🚀 Step 7: Verify Everything Works

To confirm OpenGL rendering:

glxinfo | grep "OpenGL renderer"

Expected outputs:

• Intel → “Mesa Intel HD Graphics…”
• NVIDIA → “NVIDIA GeForce…”

To check Vulkan support:

vulkaninfo | grep "GPU id"

If both show your GPU names — congratulations, your setup is perfect!

🧩 Optional: Install GUI Tools

For easier management:

sudo pacman -S nvidia-settings mesa-utils

You can then open NVIDIA Settings via your desktop menu.

🧱 Final Thoughts

Getting graphics drivers right in Arch Linux might look technical — but once done, your system becomes buttery smooth, with optimized video playback, faster rendering, and better battery efficiency.

If you’re running Intel HD 4000 / i7 3rd Gen hardware, the open-source Mesa drivers are incredibly efficient in 2025. And for NVIDIA users, official drivers now integrate better with Wayland and modern desktops like KDE and GNOME.

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