Nvidia releases 580.126.18 Linux driver to fix Kernel 6.19 compatibility issues

Nvidia has posted a new recommended (production branch) Linux display driver: 580.126.18. On Nvidia’s Unix driver page, 580.126.18 is now listed as the latest Production Branch release, alongside newer feature and beta tracks.

In other words, this isn’t a feature-heavy milestone driver. It’s a maintenance-style update aimed at keeping Nvidia’s proprietary Linux stack building and installing cleanly as the kernel evolves.

What’s new in 580.126.18

As per third-party coverage citing Nvidia’s release notes, 580.126.18 is essentially a one-line change: it fixes a kernel module build issue with Linux kernel v6.19.

That matters because Nvidia’s driver relies on kernel modules that must compile (either during installation from Nvidia’s .run installer, or via your distro’s DKMS workflow). When the kernel changes an internal interface, out-of-tree modules like Nvidia’s can fail to build until the vendor patches compatibility.

Who does this affect most?

If you’re on a rolling-release distro or bleeding-edge kernel

Users on distributions that ship kernels quickly (or people manually jumping to newer kernels) are the most likely to hit module build breakage first. If you’ve moved to kernel 6.19 and your Nvidia driver install/update suddenly fails while compiling modules, 580.126.18 is the targeted fix.

If you rely on DKMS rebuilds during kernel updates

Many distros rebuild the Nvidia kernel module automatically when a new kernel lands. If a DKMS rebuild fails after a kernel bump, that can leave you without a working graphics driver until you update to a compatible release (or roll back the kernel).

If you’re staying on stable/LTS kernels

If your current kernel and driver combination is stable and you’re not seeing build/install errors, this doesn’t look like a must-rush update—it’s primarily a compatibility patch for a specific kernel jump.

How to get Nvidia 580.126.18 on Linux

Nvidia lists 580.126.18 as the current Production Branch release on its Unix driver page. For direct downloads, Nvidia’s public driver directory also shows the x86_64 installer options for 580.126.18, including the standard package and a “no-compat32” variant, along with checksum files. The directory timestamps indicate the files were posted on February 11, 2026.

Many users, however, will get the update through their distro repositories (timing varies depending on packaging and which repo track you’re on). Nvidia’s own Linux driver release thread also reflects 580.126.18 as the current production branch.

After installing or updating, a reboot is typically required so the refreshed kernel module is loaded and in use.

Why “recommended” matters here

Nvidia’s Linux driver stream is usually split into multiple tracks, and “Production Branch” is the one Nvidia effectively positions as the stable/recommended option on its Unix driver page, while the “New Feature Branch” and beta tracks may move faster.

So if you’re choosing a driver specifically for reliability—and you’ve just hit a kernel 6.19 build wall—580.126.18 is the fix Nvidia is pointing production users to right now.