---
title: Ubuntu
description: Install the Punktfunk host on Ubuntu 26.04 or newer with apt — four steps.
---

For **Ubuntu 26.04 or newer**, Desktop or Server, GNOME or KDE.

> **Ubuntu 24.04 LTS installs the package but cannot stream** — its desktop is too old to create a
> virtual display, and there is no gamescope for it. Use 26.04.
> [Why, in detail](/docs/requirements#the-floor-for-a-working-host).

## 1. GPU driver

- **NVIDIA:** install the recommended driver and its GL/EGL userspace (Wayland needs it), then
  reboot:

  ```sh
  sudo ubuntu-drivers install
  sudo apt install libnvidia-gl-<version>   # the number ubuntu-drivers picked, e.g. libnvidia-gl-580
  ```

  If `nvidia-smi` can't talk to the driver afterwards, Secure Boot is in the way — see
  [Troubleshooting](/docs/troubleshooting#nvidia-smi-says-it-cant-communicate-with-the-driver).
- **AMD / Intel:** nothing to install. The host package pulls in the VAAPI driver for your GPU, and
  Vulkan Video comes with Mesa.

## 2. Install the host

The repo is public and signed; this adds it and installs the host (the browser console,
`punktfunk-web`, comes along automatically):

<Install platform="debian" />

Updates ride along with `sudo apt upgrade` from now on; restart the host afterwards
(`systemctl --user restart punktfunk-host`) — or let the [console do it](/docs/updating).

## 3. Let it use your controllers

Virtual gamepads go through `/dev/uinput`, which the `input` group owns. Join it, then **log out and
back in**:

```sh
sudo usermod -aG input "$USER"
```

Want the **virtual Steam Deck controller** (paddles, trackpads, gyro)? Also join the `punktfunk`
group — [what it gates and why it's separate](/docs/gamescope#nobara-and-other-autologin-display-managers).

## 4. Start it

From a terminal inside your desktop session:

```sh
systemctl --user enable --now punktfunk-host punktfunk-web
```

Ubuntu ships `ufw` switched **off**, so there is nothing to open. If you turned it on (common on
Server): `sudo ufw allow punktfunk-native`, plus `sudo ufw allow punktfunk-web` to reach the console
from another device — [Ports & firewall](/docs/ports) has every port and the GameStream ones.

**That's the install.** Continue with the [Quick Start from step 3](/docs/quickstart#3-open-the-web-console)
— open the console, pair a client, stream.

## When you want more

- Something off? `punktfunk-host detect-conflicts` tells you if Sunshine or Apollo is also running;
  [Troubleshooting](/docs/troubleshooting) starts from the symptom.
- Your desktop's particulars — headless sessions, quirks — [KDE](/docs/kde), [GNOME](/docs/gnome),
  [gamescope](/docs/gamescope), [Hyprland](/docs/hyprland), [Sway](/docs/sway).
- Stream with nobody logged in — [Running as a service](/docs/running-as-a-service).
- Track `main` instead of releases — [Release channels](/docs/channels). Older Ubuntu, or want to
  hack on it — [Build from source](/docs/build-from-source).
- Debian, LMDE and Linux Mint — [Debian](/docs/debian).
