Linux NPU Driver v1.32.0

✨ Highlights

• 🆕 Added support for Wildcat Lake platform
  Introduced support for the next-generation Wildcat Lake platform.

• 🔄 Removed third_party/level-zero submodule
  The repository no longer relies on the Level Zero submodule, reducing maintenance overhead and repository complexity.

• 📦 Dynamic Level Zero dependency resolution
  Added automatic detection and download of Level Zero from GitHub when it is not available on the system.

• 🐧 Ubuntu 24.04 snapshot package support
  Integrated support for Ubuntu 24.04 via PPA snapshots:

  • automatic download of libze1 and libze-dev packages
  • automatic extraction and usage during the build process

• 📝 UMD driver features document added
  Added a new document detailing UMD driver features currently in use, including logging, offline compilation, caching, and tracing with Perfetto. The document can be found in the docs folder.

⚙️ Verified Configuration

Platform	System	Kernel	Firmware
Meteor Lake	Ubuntu 24.04 LTS	6.17.0-19-generic	20260305*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-NVR+NN-deployment*dbda783919b77553afe5576a59881bca37fb6d7b*dbda783919b77553afe5576a59881bca37fb6d7b*dbda783919b
Arrow Lake	Ubuntu 24.04 LTS	6.17.0-19-generic	20260305*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-NVR+NN-deployment*dbda783919b77553afe5576a59881bca37fb6d7b*dbda783919b77553afe5576a59881bca37fb6d7b*dbda783919b
Lunar Lake	Ubuntu 24.04 LTS	6.17.0-19-generic	Mar 5 2026*NPU40xx*ci_tag_ud202612_vpu_rc_20260304_1901-2-gdbda783919b*dbda783919b77553afe5576a59881bca37fb6d7b
Panther Lake	Ubuntu 24.04 LTS	6.17.0-19-generic	Mar 5 2026*NPU50xx*ci_tag_ud202612_vpu_rc_20260304_1901-2-gdbda783919b*dbda783919b77553afe5576a59881bca37fb6d7b
Wildcat Lake	Ubuntu 24.04 LTS	6.17.0-19-generic	Mar 5 2026*NPU50xx*ci_tag_ud202612_vpu_rc_20260304_1901-2-gdbda783919b*dbda783919b77553afe5576a59881bca37fb6d7b

🧩 Common Components

The following table lists the common software components and their versions used in this configuration:

Component	Version / Details
Level Zero	v1.27.0
OpenVINO	2026.0
NPU Compiler	npu_ud_2026_12_rc1, built using OpenVINO_rev.b7f9dbf
GPU Driver	25.35.35096.9

🛠️ Installation Procedure

1. Remove old packages

sudo dpkg --purge --force-remove-reinstreq intel-driver-compiler-npu intel-fw-npu intel-level-zero-npu intel-level-zero-npu-dbgsym

2. Download all *.deb package

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.32.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.32.0.20260402-23905121947-ubuntu2404.tar.gz
tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.32.0.20260402-23905121947-ubuntu2404.tar.gz

3. Install libtbb12 which is a dependency for intel-driver-compiler-npu

sudo apt update
sudo apt install libtbb12

4. Install all packages

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

5. Install libze1 package

wget https://snapshot.ppa.launchpadcontent.net/kobuk-team/intel-graphics/ubuntu/20260324T100000Z/pool/main/l/level-zero-loader/libze1_1.27.0-1~24.04~ppa2_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i libze1_*.deb

⚠️ In case of conflict or error in libze1 installation, remove previously installed Level Zero version:

sudo dpkg --purge --force-remove-reinstreq level-zero level-zero-devel

6. Optional add your user to render group

sudo gpasswd -a ${USER} render
newgrp render

7. Optional reboot

sudo reboot
# if everything works, we should see /dev/accel/accel0 device
ls /dev/accel/accel0
/dev/accel/accel0
# to receive intel_vpu state
sudo dmesg

🛡️GPG sign & Verify deb packages

Signing data with a GPG key allows the recipient of the data to check whether any modifications have occurred after the data was signed.

Since release 1.22.0, each Debian package file (.deb file) has been signed with a GPG key, and the signature is included in the archive.

The Public Key has been uploaded to https://keys.openpgp.org/search?q=EA267657A608300C296B8F8AD52C9665A4077678

To verify the signature:

# Download and import the Public Key
curl https://keys.openpgp.org/vks/v1/by-fingerprint/EA267657A608300C296B8F8AD52C9665A4077678 | gpg --import

# Download the driver package
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.32.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.32.0.20260402-23905121947-ubuntu2404.tar.gz
tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.32.0.20260402-23905121947-ubuntu2404.tar.gz

# Verify signatures
for PACKAGE in *deb.asc; do gpg --verify $PACKAGE; done

🧪 UMD Test Results

Platform	OS / Kernel	Command	ALL	PASSED	FAILED	SKIPPED
MTL	Ubuntu 24.04 / 6.17.0-19-generic	npu-umd-test	257	✅ 175	❌ 1 Click reason Umd.ConfigurationCheck — Missed configuration file	⚠️ 81
		sudo npu-umd-test --dma-heap	4	✅ 4	❌ 0	⚠️ 0
		npu-umd-test --ze-init-test	6	✅ 6	❌ 0	⚠️ 0
		npu-umd-test --gpu	3	✅ 2	❌ 0	⚠️ 1
		npu-umd-test -c extend.yaml	361	✅ 302	❌ 0	⚠️ 59
ARL	Ubuntu 24.04 / 6.17.0-19-generic	npu-umd-test	257	✅ 175	❌ 1 Click reason Umd.ConfigurationCheck — Missed configuration file	⚠️ 81
		sudo npu-umd-test --dma-heap	4	✅ 4	❌ 0	⚠️ 0
		npu-umd-test --ze-init-test	6	✅ 6	❌ 0	⚠️ 0
		npu-umd-test --gpu	3	✅ 2	❌ 0	⚠️ 1
		npu-umd-test -c extend.yaml	361	✅ 302	❌ 0	⚠️ 59
LNL	Ubuntu 24.04 / 6.17.0-19-generic	npu-umd-test	257	✅ 199	❌ 1 Click reason Umd.ConfigurationCheck — Missed configuration file	⚠️ 57
		sudo npu-umd-test --dma-heap	4	✅ 4	❌ 0	⚠️ 0
		npu-umd-test --ze-init-test	6	✅ 6	❌ 0	⚠️ 0
		npu-umd-test --gpu	3	✅ 3	❌ 0	⚠️ 0
		npu-umd-test -c extend.yaml	361	✅ 326	❌ 0	⚠️ 35
PTL	Ubuntu 24.04 / 6.17.0-19-generic	npu-umd-test	257	✅ 199	❌ 1 Click reason Umd.ConfigurationCheck — Missed configuration file	⚠️ 57
		sudo npu-umd-test --dma-heap	4	✅ 4	❌ 0	⚠️ 0
		npu-umd-test --ze-init-test	6	✅ 6	❌ 0	⚠️ 0
		npu-umd-test --gpu	3	✅ 3	❌ 0	⚠️ 0
		npu-umd-test -c extend.yaml	361	✅ 326	❌ 0	⚠️ 35

For the -c option of npu-umd-test, the extend.yaml configuration file was used. It can be obtained from the UMD testing documentation and examples provided in the Intel NPU driver repository (umd-testing.md). The tests were run with the following YAML configuration:

extend.yaml

...

Linux NPU Driver v1.30.0

The mul_add network has been added to the repository. 👉 The instruction on how to download the model from linux-npu-driver/validation/models

In the Ubuntu Intel Graphics PPA (e.g., ppa:kobuk-team/intel-graphics-testing used to get newer Intel GPU/runtime packages), libze1 is a shared-library package for the Level Zero runtime - part of Intel's oneAPI Level Zero interface. Canonical allows to use Kobuk PPA with snapshots. Snapshots are useful if the user wants to use an older version of the packages in the PPA.

Verified with the following configuration

Platform	System	Kernel	Firmware
Meteor Lake	Ubuntu 24.04 LTS	6.14.0-37-generic	20260219*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-NVR+NN-deployment*f693e2c0dc3ce525f34822f263cc12192ff0722f*f693e2c0dc3ce525f34822f263cc12192ff0722f*f693e2c0dc3
Arrow Lake	Ubuntu 24.04 LTS	6.14.0-37-generic	20260219*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-NVR+NN-deployment*f693e2c0dc3ce525f34822f263cc12192ff0722f*f693e2c0dc3ce525f34822f263cc12192ff0722f*f693e2c0dc3
Lunar Lake	Ubuntu 24.04 LTS	6.14.0-37-generic	Feb 19 2026*NPU40xx*build/ci/npu-fw-ci-ci_branch_UD202608_npu_release_26ww05-20260206_112046-32016-7-gf693e2c0dc3*f693e2c0dc3ce525f34822f263cc12192ff0722f
Panther Lake	Ubuntu 24.04 LTS	6.14.0-37-generic	Feb 19 2026*NPU50xx*build/ci/npu-fw-ci-ci_branch_UD202608_npu_release_26ww05-20260206_112046-32016-7-gf693e2c0dc3*f693e2c0dc3ce525f34822f263cc12192ff0722f

Common:

Component	Version
Level Zero	v1.26.3
OpenVINO	2026.0
NPU Compiler	npu_ud_2026_08_rc2 built using OpenVINO_rev.4922c49
GPU Driver	25.35.35096.9

Installation procedure

1. Remove old packages

sudo dpkg --purge --force-remove-reinstreq intel-driver-compiler-npu intel-fw-npu intel-level-zero-npu intel-level-zero-npu-dbgsym

2. Download all *.deb package

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.30.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.30.0.20260311-22963593310-ubuntu2404.tar.gz
tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.30.0.20260311-22963593310-ubuntu2404.tar.gz

3. Install libtbb12 which is a dependency for intel-driver-compiler-npu

sudo apt update
sudo apt install libtbb12

4. Install all packages

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

5. Install libze1 package

wget https://snapshot.ppa.launchpadcontent.net/kobuk-team/intel-graphics/ubuntu/20260205T100000Z/pool/main/l/level-zero-loader/libze1_1.26.2-1~24.04~ppa1_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i libze1_*.deb

⚠️ In case of conflict or error in libze1 installation, remove previously installed Level Zero version:

sudo dpkg --purge --force-remove-reinstreq level-zero level-zero-devel

6. Optional add your user to render group

sudo gpasswd -a ${USER} render
newgrp render

7. Optional reboot

sudo reboot
# if everything works, we should see /dev/accel/accel0 device
ls /dev/accel/accel0
/dev/accel/accel0
# to receive intel_vpu state
sudo dmesg

GPG sign and verify deb packages

Signing data with a GPG key allows the recipient of the data to check whether any modifications have occurred after the data was signed.

Since release 1.22.0, each Debian package file (.deb file) has been signed with a GPG key, and the signature is included in the archive.

The Public Key has been uploaded to https://keys.openpgp.org/search?q=EA267657A608300C296B8F8AD52C9665A4077678

To verify the signature:

# Download and import the Public Key
curl https://keys.openpgp.org/vks/v1/by-fingerprint/EA267657A608300C296B8F8AD52C9665A4077678 | gpg --import

# Download the driver package
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.30.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.30.0.20260311-22963593310-ubuntu2404.tar.gz
tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.30.0.20260311-22963593310-ubuntu2404.tar.gz

# Verify signatures
for PACKAGE in *deb.asc; do gpg --verify $PACKAGE; done

Driver Overview

Important

For more information check README.md

Linux NPU Driver v1.28.0

📣 Support for Ubuntu 22.04 has been dropped from this version

🔔 Panther Lake support has been added in this release

Verified with the following configuration

Platform	System	Kernel	Firmware
Meteor Lake	Ubuntu 24.04 LTS	6.14.0-36-generic	20251113*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-NVR+NN-deployment*72f907ffc780df5579a2fed65afc4944da8b0e44*72f907ffc780df5579a2fed65afc4944da8b0e44*72f907ffc78
Arrow Lake	Ubuntu 24.04 LTS	6.14.0-36-generic	20251113*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-NVR+NN-deployment*72f907ffc780df5579a2fed65afc4944da8b0e44*72f907ffc780df5579a2fed65afc4944da8b0e44*72f907ffc78
Lunar Lake	Ubuntu 24.04 LTS	6.14.0-36-generic	Nov 13 2025*NPU40xx*ci_tag_ud202548_vpu_rc_20251112_1901-1-g72f907ffc78*72f907ffc780df5579a2fed65afc4944da8b0e44
Panther Lake	Ubuntu 24.04 LTS	6.14.0-36-generic	Nov 13 2025*NPU50xx*ci_tag_ud202548_vpu_rc_20251112_1901-1-g72f907ffc78*72f907ffc780df5579a2fed65afc4944da8b0e44

Common:

Component	Version
Level Zero	v1.24.2
OpenVINO	2025.4
NPU Compiler	npu_ud_2025_48_rc1 built using OpenVINO_rev.5fb69ea
GPU Driver	25.35.35096.9

Installation procedure

1. Remove old packages

sudo dpkg --purge --force-remove-reinstreq intel-driver-compiler-npu intel-fw-npu intel-level-zero-npu intel-level-zero-npu-dbgsym

2. Download all *.deb package

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.28.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.28.0.20251218-20347000698-ubuntu2404.tar.gz
tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.28.0.20251218-20347000698-ubuntu2404.tar.gz

3. Install libtbb12 which is a dependency for intel-driver-compiler-npu

sudo apt update
sudo apt install libtbb12

4. Install all packages

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

5. Install Level Zero if it is not in the system

# Check if Level Zero is installed
dpkg -l level-zero

Download and install package if Level Zero is missing

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.24.2/level-zero_1.24.2+u24.04_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

6. Optional add your user to render group

sudo gpasswd -a ${USER} render
newgrp render

7. Optional reboot

sudo reboot
# if everything works, we should see /dev/accel/accel0 device
ls /dev/accel/accel0
/dev/accel/accel0
# to receive intel_vpu state
sudo dmesg

GPG sign and verify deb packages

Signing data with a GPG key allows the recipient of the data to check whether any modifications have occurred after the data was signed.

Since release 1.22.0, each Debian package file (.deb file) has been signed with a GPG key, and the signature is included in the archive.

The Public Key has been uploaded to https://keys.openpgp.org/search?q=EA267657A608300C296B8F8AD52C9665A4077678

To verify the signature:

# Download and import the Public Key
curl https://keys.openpgp.org/vks/v1/by-fingerprint/EA267657A608300C296B8F8AD52C9665A4077678 | gpg --import

# Download the driver package
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.28.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.28.0.20251218-20347000698-ubuntu2404.tar.gz
tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.28.0.20251218-20347000698-ubuntu2404.tar.gz

# Verify signatures
for PACKAGE in *deb.asc; do gpg --verify $PACKAGE; done

Driver Overview

Important

For more information check README.md

Linux NPU Driver v1.26.0

🔔 Ubuntu22.04 support will be dropped starting with the upcoming release

Verified with the following configuration

Platform	System	Kernel	Firmware
Meteor Lake	Ubuntu22.04 LTS	6.8.0-87-generic	20251016*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-release*1600*ci_tag_ud202544_vpu_rc_20251016_1600*74b0ef77ba8
	Ubuntu24.04 LTS	6.14.0-35-generic	20251016*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-release*1600*ci_tag_ud202544_vpu_rc_20251016_1600*74b0ef77ba8
Arrow Lake	Ubuntu22.04 LTS	6.8.0-87-generic	20251016*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-release*1600*ci_tag_ud202544_vpu_rc_20251016_1600*74b0ef77ba8
	Ubuntu24.04 LTS	6.14.0-35-generic	20251016*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-release*1600*ci_tag_ud202544_vpu_rc_20251016_1600*74b0ef77ba8
Lunar Lake	Ubuntu22.04 LTS	6.8.0-87-generic	Oct 16 2025*NPU40xx*ci_tag_ud202544_vpu_rc_20251016_1600*74b0ef77ba8227e491c299e8efa1d23a86c250ea
	Ubuntu24.04 LTS	6.14.0-35-generic	Oct 16 2025*NPU40xx*ci_tag_ud202544_vpu_rc_20251016_1600*74b0ef77ba8227e491c299e8efa1d23a86c250ea

Common:

Component	Version
Level Zero	v1.24.2
OpenVINO	2025.3
NPU Compiler	npu_ud_2025_44_rc1 built using OpenVINO_rev.80e587b
GPU Driver	25.13.33276.16 with Ubuntu22.04
	25.35.35096.9 with Ubuntu24.04

Installation procedure

1. Remove old packages

sudo dpkg --purge --force-remove-reinstreq intel-driver-compiler-npu intel-fw-npu intel-level-zero-npu intel-level-zero-npu-dbgsym

2. Download all *.deb package

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.26.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.26.0.20251125-19665715237-ubuntu2204.tar.gz
tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.26.0.20251125-19665715237-ubuntu2204.tar.gz

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.26.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.26.0.20251125-19665715237-ubuntu2404.tar.gz
tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.26.0.20251125-19665715237-ubuntu2404.tar.gz

3. Install libtbb12 which is a dependency for intel-driver-compiler-npu

sudo apt update
sudo apt install libtbb12

4. Install all packages

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

5. Install Level Zero if it is not in the system

# Check if Level Zero is installed
dpkg -l level-zero

Download and install package if Level Zero is missing

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.24.2/level-zero_1.24.2+u22.04_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.24.2/level-zero_1.24.2+u24.04_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

6. Optional add your user to render group

sudo gpasswd -a ${USER} render
newgrp render

7. Optional reboot

sudo reboot
# if everything works, we should see /dev/accel/accel0 device
ls /dev/accel/accel0
/dev/accel/accel0
# to receive intel_vpu state
sudo dmesg

GPG sign and verify deb packages

Signing data with a GPG key allows the recipient of the data to check whether any modifications have occurred after the data was signed.

Since release 1.22.0, each Debian package file (.deb file) has been signed with a GPG key, and the signature is included in the archive.

The Public Key has been uploaded to https://keys.openpgp.org/search?q=EA267657A608300C296B8F8AD52C9665A4077678

To verify the signature:

# Download and import the Public Key
curl https://keys.openpgp.org/vks/v1/by-fingerprint/EA267657A608300C296B8F8AD52C9665A4077678 | gpg --import

# Download the driver package
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.26.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.26.0.20251125-19665715237-ubuntu2404.tar.gz
tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.26.0.20251125-19665715237-ubuntu2404.tar.gz

# Verify signatures
for PACKAGE in *deb.asc; do gpg --verify $PACKAGE; done

Driver Overview

Important

For more information check README.md

Linux NPU Driver v1.24.0

Validated on following configuration

Platform	System	Kernel	Firmware
Meteor Lake	Ubuntu22.04 LTS	6.8.0-84-generic	20250925*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-NVR+NN-deployment*2485cfeafeed591eaa9a320bfae2407c1b83b29f*2485cfeafeed591eaa9a320bfae2407c1b83b29f*2485cfeafee
	Ubuntu24.04 LTS	6.14.0-32-generic	20250925*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-NVR+NN-deployment*2485cfeafeed591eaa9a320bfae2407c1b83b29f*2485cfeafeed591eaa9a320bfae2407c1b83b29f*2485cfeafee
Arrow Lake	Ubuntu22.04 LTS	6.8.0-84-generic	20250925*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-NVR+NN-deployment*2485cfeafeed591eaa9a320bfae2407c1b83b29f*2485cfeafeed591eaa9a320bfae2407c1b83b29f*2485cfeafee
	Ubuntu24.04 LTS	6.14.0-32-generic	20250925*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-NVR+NN-deployment*2485cfeafeed591eaa9a320bfae2407c1b83b29f*2485cfeafeed591eaa9a320bfae2407c1b83b29f*2485cfeafee
Lunar Lake	Ubuntu22.04 LTS	6.8.0-84-generic	Sep 25 2025*NPU40xx*build/ci/npu-fw-ci-ci_branch_UD202538_PTL_PV_npu_release_25ww35-20250915_222036-29036-1-g2485cfeafee*2485cfeafeed591eaa9a320bfae2407c1b83b29f
	Ubuntu24.04 LTS	6.14.0-32-generic	Sep 25 2025*NPU40xx*build/ci/npu-fw-ci-ci_branch_UD202538_PTL_PV_npu_release_25ww35-20250915_222036-29036-1-g2485cfeafee*2485cfeafeed591eaa9a320bfae2407c1b83b29f

Common:

Component	Version
Level Zero	v1.24.2
OpenVINO	2025.3
NPU Compiler	npu_ud_2025_38_rc1 built using OpenVINO_rev.7ced823
GPU Driver	25.13.33276.16 with Ubuntu22.04
	25.35.35096.9 with Ubuntu24.04

Installation procedure

1. Remove old packages

sudo dpkg --purge --force-remove-reinstreq intel-driver-compiler-npu intel-fw-npu intel-level-zero-npu intel-level-zero-npu-dbgsym

2. Download all *.deb package

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.24.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.24.0.20251003-18218973328-ubuntu2204.tar.gz
tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.24.0.20251003-18218973328-ubuntu2204.tar.gz

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.24.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.24.0.20251003-18218973328-ubuntu2404.tar.gz
tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.24.0.20251003-18218973328-ubuntu2404.tar.gz

3. Install libtbb12 which is a dependency for intel-driver-compiler-npu

sudo apt update
sudo apt install libtbb12

4. Install all packages

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

5. Install Level Zero if it is not in the system

# Check if Level Zero is installed
dpkg -l level-zero

Download and install package if Level Zero is missing

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.24.2/level-zero_1.24.2+u22.04_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.24.2/level-zero_1.24.2+u24.04_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

6. Optional add your user to render group

sudo gpasswd -a ${USER} render
newgrp render

7. Optional reboot

sudo reboot
# if everything works, we should see /dev/accel/accel0 device
ls /dev/accel/accel0
/dev/accel/accel0
# to receive intel_vpu state
sudo dmesg

GPG sign and verify deb packages

Signing data with a GPG key allows the recipient of the data to check whether any modifications have occurred after the data was signed.

Since release 1.22.0, each Debian package file (.deb file) has been signed with a GPG key, and the signature is included in the archive.

The Public Key has been uploaded to https://keys.openpgp.org/search?q=EA267657A608300C296B8F8AD52C9665A4077678

To verify the signature:

# Download and import the Public Key
curl https://keys.openpgp.org/vks/v1/by-fingerprint/EA267657A608300C296B8F8AD52C9665A4077678 | gpg --import

# Download the driver package
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.24.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.24.0.20251003-18218973328-ubuntu2404.tar.gz
tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.24.0.20251003-18218973328-ubuntu2404.tar.gz

# Verify signatures
for PACKAGE in *deb.asc; do gpg --verify $PACKAGE; done

Driver Overview

Important

For more information check README.md

Linux NPU Driver v1.23.0

Validated on following configuration

Platform	System	Kernel	Firmware
Meteor Lake	Ubuntu22.04 LTS	6.8.0-65-generic	20250723*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-NVR+NN-deployment*52e7ebee50a93a07d14a1f162226cd55ad3999f0*52e7ebee50a93a07d14a1f162226cd55ad3999f0*52e7ebee50a
	Ubuntu24.04 LTS	6.14.0-28-generic	20250723*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-NVR+NN-deployment*52e7ebee50a93a07d14a1f162226cd55ad3999f0*52e7ebee50a93a07d14a1f162226cd55ad3999f0*52e7ebee50a
Arrow Lake	Ubuntu22.04 LTS	6.8.0-65-generic	20250723*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-NVR+NN-deployment*52e7ebee50a93a07d14a1f162226cd55ad3999f0*52e7ebee50a93a07d14a1f162226cd55ad3999f0*52e7ebee50a
	Ubuntu24.04 LTS	6.14.0-28-generic	20250723*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-NVR+NN-deployment*52e7ebee50a93a07d14a1f162226cd55ad3999f0*52e7ebee50a93a07d14a1f162226cd55ad3999f0*52e7ebee50a
Lunar Lake	Ubuntu22.04 LTS	6.8.0-65-generic	Jul 23 2025*NPU40xx*build/ci/npu-fw-ci-main-20250721_233537-27032-2-g52e7ebee50a*52e7ebee50a93a07d14a1f162226cd55ad3999f0
	Ubuntu24.04 LTS	6.14.0-28-generic	Jul 23 2025*NPU40xx*build/ci/npu-fw-ci-main-20250721_233537-27032-2-g52e7ebee50a*52e7ebee50a93a07d14a1f162226cd55ad3999f0

Common:

Component	Version
Level Zero	v1.22.4
OpenVINO	2025.2
NPU Compiler	npu_ud_2025_32_rc1 built using OpenVINO_rev.d97acfd
GPU Driver	25.13.33276.16

Installation procedure

1. Remove old packages

sudo dpkg --purge --force-remove-reinstreq intel-driver-compiler-npu intel-fw-npu intel-level-zero-npu

2. Download all *.deb package

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.23.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.23.0.20250827-17270089246-ubuntu2204.tar.gz
tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.23.0.20250827-17270089246-ubuntu2204.tar.gz

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.23.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.23.0.20250827-17270089246-ubuntu2404.tar.gz
tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.23.0.20250827-17270089246-ubuntu2404.tar.gz

3. Install libtbb12 which is a dependency for intel-driver-compiler-npu

sudo apt update
sudo apt install libtbb12

4. Install all packages

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

5. Install Level Zero if it is not in the system

# Check if Level Zero is installed
dpkg -l level-zero

Download and install package if Level Zero is missing

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.22.4/level-zero_1.22.4+u22.04_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.22.4/level-zero_1.22.4+u24.04_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

6. Reboot

reboot
# if everything works, we should see /dev/accel/accel0 device
ls /dev/accel/accel0
/dev/accel/accel0
# to receive intel_vpu state
dmesg

GPG sign and verify deb packages

Signing data with a GPG key allows the recipient of the data to check whether any modifications have occurred after the data was signed.

Since release 1.22.0, each Debian package file (.deb file) has been signed with a GPG key, and the signature is included in the archive.

The Public Key has been uploaded to https://keys.openpgp.org/search?q=EA267657A608300C296B8F8AD52C9665A4077678

To verify the signature:

# Download and import the Public Key
curl https://keys.openpgp.org/vks/v1/by-fingerprint/EA267657A608300C296B8F8AD52C9665A4077678 | gpg --import

# Download the driver package
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.23.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.23.0.20250827-17270089246-ubuntu2404.tar.gz
tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.23.0.20250827-17270089246-ubuntu2404.tar.gz

# Verify signatures
for PACKAGE in *deb.asc; do gpg --verify $PACKAGE; done

Driver Overview

Important

For more information check README.md

Linux NPU Driver v1.22.0

Warning

NPU recovery issue after failed inference - #87

Validated on following configuration

Platform	System	Kernel	Firmware
Meteor Lake	Ubuntu22.04 LTS	6.8.0-65-generic	20250627*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-NVR+NN-deployment*2fc7252521edea4e75ec14e475a72ba6f0f92685*2fc7252521edea4e75ec14e475a72ba6f0f92685*2fc7252521e
	Ubuntu24.04 LTS	6.14.0-27-generic	20250627*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-NVR+NN-deployment*2fc7252521edea4e75ec14e475a72ba6f0f92685*2fc7252521edea4e75ec14e475a72ba6f0f92685*2fc7252521e
Arrow Lake	Ubuntu22.04 LTS	6.8.0-65-generic	20250627*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-NVR+NN-deployment*2fc7252521edea4e75ec14e475a72ba6f0f92685*2fc7252521edea4e75ec14e475a72ba6f0f92685*2fc7252521e
	Ubuntu24.04 LTS	6.14.0-27-generic	20250627*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-NVR+NN-deployment*2fc7252521edea4e75ec14e475a72ba6f0f92685*2fc7252521edea4e75ec14e475a72ba6f0f92685*2fc7252521e
Lunar Lake	Ubuntu22.04 LTS	6.8.0-65-generic	Jun 27 2025*NPU40xx*ci_tag_ud202528_vpu_rc_20250626_1901*2fc7252521edea4e75ec14e475a72ba6f0f92685
	Ubuntu24.04 LTS	6.14.0-27-generic	Jun 27 2025*NPU40xx*ci_tag_ud202528_vpu_rc_20250626_1901*2fc7252521edea4e75ec14e475a72ba6f0f92685

Common:

Component	Version
Level Zero	v1.22.4
OpenVINO	2025.2
NPU Compiler	npu_ud_2025_28_rc1 built using OpenVINO_rev.dd61133
GPU Driver	25.13.33276.16

Installation procedure

1. Remove old packages

sudo dpkg --purge --force-remove-reinstreq intel-driver-compiler-npu intel-fw-npu intel-level-zero-npu

2. Download all *.deb package

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.22.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.22.0.20250813-16938856004-ubuntu2204.tar.gz
tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.22.0.20250813-16938856004-ubuntu2204.tar.gz

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.22.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.22.0.20250813-16938856004-ubuntu2404.tar.gz
tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.22.0.20250813-16938856004-ubuntu2404.tar.gz

3. Install libtbb12 which is a dependency for intel-driver-compiler-npu

sudo apt update
sudo apt install libtbb12

4. Install all packages

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

5. Install Level Zero if it is not in the system

# Check if Level Zero is installed
dpkg -l level-zero

Download and install package if Level Zero is missing

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.22.4/level-zero_1.22.4+u22.04_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.22.4/level-zero_1.22.4+u24.04_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

6. Reboot

reboot
# if everything works, we should see /dev/accel/accel0 device
ls /dev/accel/accel0
/dev/accel/accel0
# to receive intel_vpu state
dmesg

GPG sign and verify deb packages

Signing data with a GPG key allows the recipient of the data to check whether any modifications have occurred after the data was signed.

Since release 1.22.0, each Debian package file (.deb file) has been signed with a GPG key, and the signature is included in the archive.

The Public Key has been uploaded to https://keys.openpgp.org/search?q=EA267657A608300C296B8F8AD52C9665A4077678

To verify the signature:

# Download and import the Public Key
curl https://keys.openpgp.org/vks/v1/by-fingerprint/EA267657A608300C296B8F8AD52C9665A4077678 | gpg --import

# Download the driver package
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.22.0/linux-npu-driver-v1.22.0.20250813-16938856004-ubuntu2404.tar.gz
tar -xf linux-npu-driver-v1.22.0.20250813-16938856004-ubuntu2404.tar.gz

# Verify signatures
for PACKAGE in *deb.asc; do gpg --verify $PACKAGE; done

Driver Overview

Important

For more information check README.md

Linux NPU Driver v1.19.0

Warning

NPU recovery issue after failed inference - #87

Validated on following configuration

Platform	System	Kernel	Firmware
Meteor Lake	Ubuntu22.04 LTS	6.8.0-60-generic	20250611*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-NVR+NN-deployment*5437076a64c995fd1fbe21c3019f522b56db98f9*5437076a64c995fd1fbe21c3019f522b56db98f9*5437076a64c
	Ubuntu24.04 LTS	6.11.0-26-generic	20250611*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-NVR+NN-deployment*5437076a64c995fd1fbe21c3019f522b56db98f9*5437076a64c995fd1fbe21c3019f522b56db98f9*5437076a64c
Arrow Lake	Ubuntu22.04 LTS	6.8.0-60-generic	20250611*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-NVR+NN-deployment*5437076a64c995fd1fbe21c3019f522b56db98f9*5437076a64c995fd1fbe21c3019f522b56db98f9*5437076a64c
	Ubuntu24.04 LTS	6.11.0-26-generic	20250611*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-NVR+NN-deployment*5437076a64c995fd1fbe21c3019f522b56db98f9*5437076a64c995fd1fbe21c3019f522b56db98f9*5437076a64c
Lunar Lake	Ubuntu22.04 LTS	6.8.0-60-generic	Jun 11 2025*NPU40xx*build/ci/npu-fw-ci-ci_branch_UD202524_npu_release_25ww22-20250603_183038-26415-8-g5437076a64c*5437076a64c995fd1fbe21c3019f522b56db98f9
	Ubuntu24.04 LTS	6.11.0-26-generic	Jun 11 2025*NPU40xx*build/ci/npu-fw-ci-ci_branch_UD202524_npu_release_25ww22-20250603_183038-26415-8-g5437076a64c*5437076a64c995fd1fbe21c3019f522b56db98f9

Common:

Component	Version
Level Zero	v1.22.4
OpenVINO	2025.2
NPU Compiler	npu_ud_2025_24_rc2 built using OpenVINO_rev.d72b761
GPU Driver	25.13.33276.16

Installation procedure

1. Remove old packages

sudo dpkg --purge --force-remove-reinstreq intel-driver-compiler-npu intel-fw-npu intel-level-zero-npu

2. Download all *.deb package

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.19.0/intel-driver-compiler-npu_1.19.0.20250707-16111289554_ubuntu22.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.19.0/intel-fw-npu_1.19.0.20250707-16111289554_ubuntu22.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.19.0/intel-level-zero-npu_1.19.0.20250707-16111289554_ubuntu22.04_amd64.deb

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.19.0/intel-driver-compiler-npu_1.19.0.20250707-16111289554_ubuntu24.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.19.0/intel-fw-npu_1.19.0.20250707-16111289554_ubuntu24.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.19.0/intel-level-zero-npu_1.19.0.20250707-16111289554_ubuntu24.04_amd64.deb

Tip

Since release v1.13.0, there is a checksum.sha256 file in Assets to ensure that the downloaded packages match those available in the repository.

To verify, run:
sha256sum --ignore-missing --check checksum.sha256

3. Install libtbb12 which is a dependency for intel-driver-compiler-npu

sudo apt update
sudo apt install libtbb12

4. Install all packages

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

5. Install Level Zero if it is not in the system

# Check if Level Zero is installed
dpkg -l level-zero

Download and install package if Level Zero is missing

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.22.4/level-zero_1.22.4+u22.04_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.22.4/level-zero_1.22.4+u24.04_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

6. Reboot

reboot
# if everything works, we should see /dev/accel/accel0 device
ls /dev/accel/accel0
/dev/accel/accel0
# to receive intel_vpu state
dmesg

User access to the device

👉 Ubuntu24.04 does not require setting access to the device

As a root user, this step can be skipped.

The new device /dev/accel/accel0 requires manual setting of permissions access.
The accel devices should be in the "render" group in Ubuntu:

# set the render group for accel device
sudo chown root:render /dev/accel/accel0
sudo chmod g+rw /dev/accel/accel0
# add user to the render group
sudo usermod -a -G render <user-name>
# user needs to restart the session to use the new group (log out and log in)

The above steps must be repeated each time module is reloaded or on every reboot.
To avoid manual setup of the group for accel device, the udev rules can be used:

sudo bash -c "echo 'SUBSYSTEM==\"accel\", KERNEL==\"accel*\", GROUP=\"render\", MODE=\"0660\"' > /etc/udev/rules.d/10-intel-vpu.rules"
sudo udevadm control --reload-rules
sudo udevadm trigger --subsystem-match=accel

Tip

In case of NPU is not visible, always check the access to the device with following command:

$ ls -lah /dev/accel/accel0
crw-rw---- 1 root render 261, 0 Mar 22 13:22 /dev/accel/accel0

If render is missing, or crw-rw---- is not set, please repeat the steps to set the access to the device.

Important

For more information check README.md

Linux NPU Driver v1.17.0

Important

The library name has changed from libze_intel_vpu to libze_intel_npu. Using an older version of Level Zero than v1.17.17 requires using libze_intel_vpu.so.1

Warning

NPU recovery issue after failed inference - #87

Validated on following configuration

Platform	System	Kernel	Firmware
Meteor Lake	Ubuntu22.04 LTS	6.8.0-57-generic	20250415*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-release*1900*ci_tag_ud202518_vpu_rc_20250415_1900*7ef0f3fdb82
	Ubuntu24.04 LTS	6.11.0-21-generic	20250415*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-release*1900*ci_tag_ud202518_vpu_rc_20250415_1900*7ef0f3fdb82
Arrow Lake	Ubuntu22.04 LTS	6.8.0-57-generic	20250415*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-release*1900*ci_tag_ud202518_vpu_rc_20250415_1900*7ef0f3fdb82
	Ubuntu24.04 LTS	6.11.0-21-generic	20250415*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-release*1900*ci_tag_ud202518_vpu_rc_20250415_1900*7ef0f3fdb82
Lunar Lake	Ubuntu22.04 LTS	6.8.0-57-generic	Apr 15 2025*NPU40xx*ci_tag_ud202518_vpu_rc_20250415_1900*7ef0f3fdb8257a43805f207ecf13491d98963d4f
	Ubuntu24.04 LTS	6.11.0-21-generic	Apr 15 2025*NPU40xx*ci_tag_ud202518_vpu_rc_20250415_1900*7ef0f3fdb8257a43805f207ecf13491d98963d4f

Common:

Component	Version
Level Zero	v1.21.9
OpenVINO	2025.1
NPU Compiler	npu_ud_2025_18_rc1 built using OpenVINO_rev.cdb0a75
GPU Driver	24.52.32224.5

Installation procedure

1. Remove old packages

sudo dpkg --purge --force-remove-reinstreq intel-driver-compiler-npu intel-fw-npu intel-level-zero-npu

2. Download all *.deb package

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.17.0/intel-driver-compiler-npu_1.17.0.20250508-14912879441_ubuntu22.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.17.0/intel-fw-npu_1.17.0.20250508-14912879441_ubuntu22.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.17.0/intel-level-zero-npu_1.17.0.20250508-14912879441_ubuntu22.04_amd64.deb

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.17.0/intel-driver-compiler-npu_1.17.0.20250508-14912879441_ubuntu24.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.17.0/intel-fw-npu_1.17.0.20250508-14912879441_ubuntu24.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.17.0/intel-level-zero-npu_1.17.0.20250508-14912879441_ubuntu24.04_amd64.deb

Tip

Since release v1.13.0, there is a checksum.sha256 file in Assets to ensure that the downloaded packages match those available in the repository.

To verify, run:
sha256sum --ignore-missing --check checksum.sha256

3. Install libtbb12 which is a dependency for intel-driver-compiler-npu

sudo apt update
sudo apt install libtbb12

4. Install all packages

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

5. Install Level Zero if it is not in the system

# Check if Level Zero is installed
dpkg -l level-zero

Download and install package if Level Zero is missing

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.21.9/level-zero_1.21.9+u22.04_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.21.9/level-zero_1.21.9+u24.04_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

6. Reboot

reboot
# if everything works, we should see /dev/accel/accel0 device
ls /dev/accel/accel0
/dev/accel/accel0
# to receive intel_vpu state
dmesg

User access to the device

As a root user, this step can be skipped.

The new device /dev/accel/accel0 requires manual setting of permissions access.
The accel devices should be in the "render" group in Ubuntu:

# set the render group for accel device
sudo chown root:render /dev/accel/accel0
sudo chmod g+rw /dev/accel/accel0
# add user to the render group
sudo usermod -a -G render <user-name>
# user needs to restart the session to use the new group (log out and log in)

The above steps must be repeated each time module is reloaded or on every reboot.
To avoid manual setup of the group for accel device, the udev rules can be used:

sudo bash -c "echo 'SUBSYSTEM==\"accel\", KERNEL==\"accel*\", GROUP=\"render\", MODE=\"0660\"' > /etc/udev/rules.d/10-intel-vpu.rules"
sudo udevadm control --reload-rules
sudo udevadm trigger --subsystem-match=accel

Tip

In case of NPU is not visible, always check the access to the device with following command:

$ ls -lah /dev/accel/accel0
crw-rw---- 1 root render 261, 0 Mar 22 13:22 /dev/accel/accel0

If render is missing, or crw-rw---- is not set, please repeat the steps to set the access to the device.

Important

For more information check README.md

Linux NPU Driver v1.16.0

Important

The library name has changed from libze_intel_vpu to libze_intel_npu. Using an older version of Level Zero than v1.17.17 requires using libze_intel_vpu.so.1

Warning

Issue with NPU recovery after failed inference - #87

Validated on following configuration

Platform	System	Kernel	Firmware
Meteor Lake	Ubuntu22.04 LTS	6.8.0-52-generic	20250306*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-release*1130*ci_tag_ud202512_vpu_rc_20250306_1130*5064b5debc3
	Ubuntu24.04 LTS	6.11.0-21-generic	20250306*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-release*1130*ci_tag_ud202512_vpu_rc_20250306_1130*5064b5debc3
Arrow Lake	Ubuntu22.04 LTS	6.8.0-52-generic	20250306*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-release*1130*ci_tag_ud202512_vpu_rc_20250306_1130*5064b5debc3
	Ubuntu24.04 LTS	6.11.0-21-generic	20250306*MTL_CLIENT_SILICON-release*1130*ci_tag_ud202512_vpu_rc_20250306_1130*5064b5debc3
Lunar Lake	Ubuntu22.04 LTS	6.8.0-52-generic	Mar 6 2025*NPU40xx*ci_tag_ud202512_vpu_rc_20250306_1130*5064b5debc377e1c4b74f69dc14e2e536dba393d
	Ubuntu24.04 LTS	6.11.0-21-generic	Mar 6 2025*NPU40xx*ci_tag_ud202512_vpu_rc_20250306_1130*5064b5debc377e1c4b74f69dc14e2e536dba393d

Common:

Component	Version
Level Zero	v1.20.2
OpenVINO	2025.1.0rc2-pre-release
NPU Compiler	npu_ud_2025_12_rc2 built using OpenVINO_rev.8d5f583
GPU Driver	24.52.32224.5

Installation procedure

1. Remove old packages

sudo dpkg --purge --force-remove-reinstreq intel-driver-compiler-npu intel-fw-npu intel-level-zero-npu

2. Download all *.deb package

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.16.0/intel-driver-compiler-npu_1.16.0.20250328-14132024782_ubuntu22.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.16.0/intel-fw-npu_1.16.0.20250328-14132024782_ubuntu22.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.16.0/intel-level-zero-npu_1.16.0.20250328-14132024782_ubuntu22.04_amd64.deb

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.16.0/intel-driver-compiler-npu_1.16.0.20250328-14132024782_ubuntu24.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.16.0/intel-fw-npu_1.16.0.20250328-14132024782_ubuntu24.04_amd64.deb
wget https://github.com/intel/linux-npu-driver/releases/download/v1.16.0/intel-level-zero-npu_1.16.0.20250328-14132024782_ubuntu24.04_amd64.deb

Tip

Since release v1.13.0, there is a checksum.sha256 file in Assets to ensure that the downloaded packages match those available in the repository.

To verify, run:
sha256sum --ignore-missing --check checksum.sha256

3. Install libtbb12 which is a dependency for intel-driver-compiler-npu

sudo apt update
sudo apt install libtbb12

4. Install all packages

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

5. Install Level Zero if it is not in the system

# Check if Level Zero is installed
dpkg -l level-zero

Download and install package if Level Zero is missing

• Ubuntu22.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.20.2/level-zero_1.20.2+u22.04_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

• Ubuntu24.04

wget https://github.com/oneapi-src/level-zero/releases/download/v1.20.2/level-zero_1.20.2+u24.04_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i level-zero*.deb

6. Reboot

reboot
# if everything works, we should see /dev/accel/accel0 device
ls /dev/accel/accel0
/dev/accel/accel0
# to receive intel_vpu state
dmesg

User access to the device

As a root user, this step can be skipped.

The new device /dev/accel/accel0 requires manual setting of permissions access.
The accel devices should be in the "render" group in Ubuntu:

# set the render group for accel device
sudo chown root:render /dev/accel/accel0
sudo chmod g+rw /dev/accel/accel0
# add user to the render group
sudo usermod -a -G render <user-name>
# user needs to restart the session to use the new group (log out and log in)

The above steps must be repeated each time module is reloaded or on every reboot.
To avoid manual setup of the group for accel device, the udev rules can be used:

sudo bash -c "echo 'SUBSYSTEM==\"accel\", KERNEL==\"accel*\", GROUP=\"render\", MODE=\"0660\"' > /etc/udev/rules.d/10-intel-vpu.rules"
sudo udevadm control --reload-rules
sudo udevadm trigger --subsystem-match=accel

Tip

In case of NPU is not visible, always check the access to the device with following command:

$ ls -lah /dev/accel/accel0
crw-rw---- 1 root render 261, 0 Mar 22 13:22 /dev/accel/accel0

If render is missing, or crw-rw---- is not set, please repeat the steps to set the access to the device.

Important

For more information check README.md