How To Install DKMS on Manjaro

Managing kernel modules on Manjaro Linux can be challenging, especially when hardware drivers need to work across different kernel versions. Dynamic Kernel Module Support (DKMS) solves this frustration by automatically rebuilding and reinstalling kernel modules whenever you update your kernel. This comprehensive guide walks you through installing DKMS on Manjaro, ensuring your hardware drivers remain functional through system updates.

Whether you’re dealing with wireless network adapters, graphics drivers, or specialized hardware, DKMS provides the reliability you need. This tutorial covers everything from basic installation to advanced troubleshooting, making it perfect for intermediate Linux users and hardware enthusiasts who want seamless driver management.

What is DKMS and Why Do You Need It?

Understanding Dynamic Kernel Module Support

DKMS is a program and framework that enables generating Linux kernel modules whose sources generally reside outside the kernel source tree. Unlike traditional kernel modules that break when you update your kernel, DKMS automatically rebuilds these modules to match your new kernel version. This automation eliminates the manual recompilation process that often frustrates Linux users.

The framework monitors kernel updates and triggers automatic rebuilding of registered modules. When you install a new kernel, DKMS ensures your custom drivers continue working without manual intervention. This seamless integration makes DKMS essential for maintaining system stability across kernel upgrades.

DKMS distinguishes between in-tree modules (included in the official kernel source) and out-of-tree modules (developed separately). Most proprietary drivers and specialized hardware support fall into the out-of-tree category, making DKMS crucial for their proper management.

Common Use Cases for DKMS on Manjaro

Wireless network adapters represent the most common DKMS use case. Many Realtek chipsets, including RTL8821CE and RTL8812AU, require DKMS-based drivers for proper functionality. These drivers ensure your WiFi connection remains stable through kernel updates.

NVIDIA proprietary graphics drivers extensively use DKMS for automatic rebuilding. When installing NVIDIA drivers, the system asks whether to register kernel module sources with DKMS, enabling automatic rebuilds for future kernel installations. This integration prevents graphics driver failures after kernel updates.

Broadcom wireless drivers also benefit from DKMS integration. The broadcom-wl-dkms package provides reliable wireless connectivity for Broadcom hardware, automatically adapting to new kernel versions. USB device drivers and specialized hardware controllers similarly rely on DKMS for consistent operation.

Development and testing scenarios frequently require DKMS for experimental modules. Custom kernel modules, debugging tools, and performance monitoring software use DKMS to maintain compatibility across different kernel versions.

Prerequisites and System Requirements

Checking Your Current Kernel Version

Before installing DKMS, identify your current kernel version using Manjaro’s hardware detection tool. The mhwd-kernel -li command displays all installed kernels and highlights the currently running version. This information determines which kernel headers you need for DKMS functionality.

Execute this command in your terminal:

mhwd-kernel -li

The output shows your currently running kernel and any additional installed kernels. For example, you might see “Currently running: 6.7.5-1-MANJARO (linux67)” with additional kernels listed below. Understanding this naming convention helps you select the correct header packages.

Manjaro uses descriptive kernel names like linux67 for kernel version 6.7, making identification straightforward. Multiple kernel installations are common on Manjaro, allowing users to maintain stable fallback options while testing newer versions.

Essential Packages and Dependencies

DKMS requires specific packages for proper operation on Manjaro. The base-devel package group provides essential development tools including compilers, build tools, and libraries necessary for module compilation. Without these tools, DKMS cannot rebuild kernel modules successfully.

The relationship between kernel versions and their corresponding headers is critical. Each kernel requires matching header packages that contain the necessary files for module compilation. Mismatched headers cause compilation failures and prevent DKMS from functioning correctly.

Installing the wrong header package is a common mistake that leads to build failures. The system may offer multiple header options during installation, requiring careful selection based on your running kernel version. Always verify the header package matches your current kernel before proceeding.

Development dependencies extend beyond basic compilation tools. Some DKMS modules require additional libraries, firmware files, or configuration utilities. The base-devel package group covers most requirements, but specialized hardware may need additional packages.

Step-by-Step DKMS Installation Guide

Method 1: Installing DKMS via Package Manager

The standard installation method uses Manjaro’s package manager for simplicity and reliability. Start by updating your system to ensure compatibility with the latest packages. This prevents version conflicts and ensures smooth installation.

Update your system first:

sudo pacman -Syu

Install DKMS using pacman:

sudo pacman -S dkms

This command downloads and installs DKMS along with its dependencies. The package manager automatically resolves dependency requirements and configures the DKMS framework for immediate use. Verify the installation completed successfully by checking the DKMS version.

Confirm DKMS installation:

dkms --version

This output displays the installed DKMS version, confirming successful installation. The framework is now ready to manage kernel modules, but you still need appropriate kernel headers for compilation functionality.

Method 2: Installing with Development Tools

For comprehensive development capability, install DKMS alongside the complete development toolchain. This method provides everything needed for building complex kernel modules and ensures compatibility with diverse hardware drivers.

Install DKMS with development tools:

sudo pacman -S base-devel dkms

The base-devel package group includes gcc, make, binutils, and other essential compilation tools. This installation method prepares your system for building kernel modules from source code, including those downloaded from the Arch User Repository (AUR).

Post-installation verification ensures all components work correctly. Check that both DKMS and development tools installed properly before proceeding with kernel header installation. This verification step prevents issues during module compilation.

Verify the development environment:

gcc --version
make --version
dkms --version

These commands confirm that essential development tools and DKMS are available and functioning. Any missing components will generate error messages, indicating installation problems that need resolution.

Installing Kernel Headers Correctly

Understanding Kernel Headers Importance

Kernel headers contain the interface definitions and data structures necessary for compiling kernel modules. DKMS requires headers that exactly match your running kernel version to ensure module compatibility and prevent runtime errors. Mismatched headers cause compilation failures and system instability.

The “matching your current running kernel” requirement is absolute. Using headers from a different kernel version, even a minor revision difference, can result in modules that fail to load or cause system crashes. This strict requirement ensures binary compatibility between modules and the kernel.

Consequences of mismatched headers extend beyond compilation failures. Successfully compiled modules using wrong headers may load initially but cause unpredictable behavior, memory corruption, or system panics. These issues are difficult to diagnose and can lead to data loss.

Finding and Installing the Right Headers

Determining the correct header package requires matching your kernel version with available header packages. Use the previously mentioned mhwd-kernel -li command to identify your running kernel, then select the corresponding header package.

List installed kernels:

mhwd-kernel -li

Based on the output, identify the header package name. For kernel linux67, the corresponding headers are linux67-headers. This naming convention applies consistently across Manjaro kernel versions.

Install headers with system update:

sudo pacman -Syu linux67-headers

Always combine header installation with a full system update using the -Syu flags. This ensures all packages remain synchronized and prevents version conflicts between the kernel and other system components.

When installing packages that depend on kernel headers, pacman may display a numbered list of available header packages. The default selection (number 1) is usually incorrect for your specific kernel. Carefully examine the list and identify the number corresponding to your running kernel’s headers.

For multiple kernel installations, consider removing unused kernels to simplify header management. Maintaining headers for multiple kernels increases storage requirements and complicates system maintenance. Keep only the kernels you actively use to streamline updates.

Common DKMS Module Installation Examples

Installing Wireless Drivers (RTL8812AU Example)

Realtek wireless drivers demonstrate practical DKMS usage for hardware support. The RTL8812AU chipset requires a DKMS-enabled driver from the AUR for proper functionality. This example illustrates the complete process from installation to verification.

Search for the appropriate driver package:

yay -Ss rtl8812au

Alternatively, use pamac:

pamac search rtl8812au

Look for packages with names like rtl8812au-dkms-git that indicate DKMS integration. These packages automatically handle module compilation and installation through the DKMS framework.

Install the driver package:

pamac build rtl8812au-dkms-git

During installation, the system downloads source code, compiles the driver, and registers it with DKMS. The process may require confirming dependencies and providing administrator credentials for system modifications.

Verify successful installation:

dkms status
lsmod | grep rtl

The dkms status command shows all registered modules and their compilation status. The lsmod command displays currently loaded kernel modules, confirming your wireless driver is active and functional.

Check wireless interface availability:

ip link show
iwconfig

These commands verify that your wireless interface appears in the system and is ready for configuration. Successful driver installation makes your wireless hardware visible to network management tools.

Installing NVIDIA Drivers with DKMS

NVIDIA proprietary drivers showcase enterprise-grade DKMS integration for critical graphics hardware. The installation process includes DKMS registration prompts that enable automatic rebuilding for future kernel updates.

During NVIDIA driver installation, you encounter several DKMS-related questions. When asked “Would you like to register the kernel module sources with DKMS?”, always answer “YES” to enable automatic rebuilding functionality.

Additional questions include installing 32-bit compatibility libraries and running nvidia-xconfig utility. Answer “YES” to both questions for complete driver functionality and proper system integration.

The DKMS registration process creates entries for NVIDIA kernel modules, enabling automatic rebuilding when you install new kernels. This integration prevents graphics driver failures that commonly occur after kernel updates on systems without DKMS.

Post-installation verification confirms DKMS registration:

dkms status

Look for nvidia entries in the output, indicating successful DKMS integration. The status should show “installed” for your current kernel version, confirming the driver is properly compiled and loaded.

Troubleshooting Common DKMS Issues

Module Not Loading After Installation

When DKMS modules fail to load despite successful installation, several diagnostic steps help identify the problem. Check installation logs for compilation errors, verify module compilation completed successfully, and examine kernel module signing requirements.

Check DKMS installation status:

dkms status

Look for modules showing “built” but not “installed” status. This indicates compilation succeeded but installation failed, often due to permission issues or kernel incompatibilities.

Examine detailed build logs:

sudo dkms install module_name/version -k $(uname -r) -v

Replace module_name/version with the specific module from your DKMS status output. Verbose output reveals detailed error messages that guide troubleshooting efforts.

Kernel module signing requirements can prevent loading even properly compiled modules. Modern kernels with secure boot enabled require signed modules, which some DKMS packages don’t provide. Disable secure boot temporarily to test if signing causes the issue.

Header Mismatch Problems

Incorrect kernel headers manifest as compilation failures with cryptic error messages about undefined functions or missing header files. These symptoms indicate version mismatches between installed headers and the running kernel.

Verify header installation matches your kernel:

pacman -Q | grep headers
uname -r

Compare the header package version with your running kernel version. Any discrepancy indicates the wrong headers are installed, requiring removal and reinstallation of correct headers.

Remove incorrect headers:

sudo pacman -R linux-headers

Install correct headers for your kernel:

sudo pacman -S linux67-headers

Rebuild affected DKMS modules after header correction:

sudo dkms autoinstall

This command attempts to rebuild all registered DKMS modules using the newly installed headers. Monitor output for any remaining compilation errors that require additional troubleshooting.

Best Practices and Maintenance

Keeping DKMS Modules Updated

DKMS automatically rebuilds modules during kernel upgrades, but monitoring this process ensures successful rebuilds and identifies potential issues early. Pay attention to pacman output during system updates for DKMS-related messages and errors.

During kernel updates, DKMS rebuilds all registered modules for the new kernel version. This process appears in pacman output as multiple “dkms install” commands. Large numbers of DKMS entries can significantly extend update times but ensure module compatibility.

Watch for rebuild failures during updates:

sudo pacman -Syu

Monitor output for DKMS error messages indicating compilation failures. Address these failures promptly to prevent losing hardware functionality after rebooting into the new kernel.

Manual intervention becomes necessary when automatic rebuilds fail due to source code changes or kernel API modifications. Keep AUR packages updated to receive patches that address kernel compatibility issues.

System Hygiene and Management

Regular maintenance prevents DKMS problems and keeps your system running efficiently. Remove unused kernels and their corresponding DKMS entries to reduce update times and eliminate potential conflicts.

Remove old kernels:

sudo pacman -R linux66

Clean up orphaned DKMS entries:

sudo dkms status

Remove entries for deleted kernels to prevent unnecessary rebuilding attempts during updates. This maintenance reduces system complexity and improves update performance.

Backup considerations include noting your currently working DKMS modules before major system changes. Document working driver versions and sources to enable quick restoration if updates cause problems.

Advanced Tips and Considerations

Working with AUR Packages

The Arch User Repository provides numerous DKMS-enabled packages for specialized hardware. Understanding AUR package installation and security considerations ensures safe and successful driver installation.

AUR packages require careful verification before installation. Examine build scripts (PKGBUILD files) to understand what the package does and ensure it comes from trusted sources. Some AUR packages require additional manual steps beyond standard installation.

Use secure AUR helpers like yay or pamac build for AUR package installation:

yay -S package-name-dkms

The makepkg command provides manual control over the build process:

makepkg -si

Security considerations include verifying package sources, checking build scripts for malicious code, and understanding the risks of installing unofficial packages. AUR packages lack the security review of official repositories.

Performance and Security Implications

Kernel lockdown mode in modern kernels restricts loading unsigned modules, affecting some DKMS packages. Understand your system’s security configuration and its impact on module loading capabilities.

Module signing requirements vary by distribution and kernel configuration. Some systems require signing custom modules before loading, adding complexity to DKMS usage. Research your specific security requirements before installing DKMS modules.

Impact on system stability depends on module quality and kernel compatibility. Well-maintained DKMS packages provide stable operation, while poorly maintained packages may cause system instability or security vulnerabilities.

Consider avoiding DKMS for critical systems where stability outweighs convenience. Native kernel drivers, while less convenient to manage, often provide better stability and security than third-party DKMS modules.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed DKMS. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the DKMS (Dynamic Kernel Module Support) on your Manjaro Linux system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official DKMS website.