Install and Uninstall OpenRGB from Ubuntu – 2 Easy Methods

In this guide, we will show you how to install and uninstall OpenRGB from Ubuntu using a Deb package and the PPA repository.

As time passes, customizing features on your system have improved, such as wallpapers, themes, desktop colors, and software applications.

Recently, RGB lighting has become a popular addition to system components. RGB lights are LED lights that can be programmed to produce different combinations of colors.

To control these lights on your system, you can use software named OpenRGB. At this point, we want to show you how you can install this software on your Ubuntu server. To do this, follow the steps below provided by the Orcacore website.

To Install and Uninstall OpenRGB from Ubuntu, you must have access to your server as a non-root user with sudo privileges. In this guide, we use Ubuntu 22.04 server to show you the installation steps.

You can use the following methods to Install and Uninstall OpenRGB from Ubuntu:

OpenRGB Setup on Ubuntu — Install and Uninstall **OpenRGB** from Ubuntu

Method 1 – Install OpenRGB via PPA Repository

First, you must run the system update and upgrade with the commands below:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Then, add the OpenRGB PPA repository to your server by using the following command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:thopiekar/openrgb

When you are done, run the system update again:

sudo apt update

Next, use the command below to install OpenRGB:

sudo apt install openrgb -y

You can verify your OpenRGB installation by checking its version:

openrgb -V

**Output**
OpenRGB 0.81, for controlling RGB lighting.
  Version:               0.81
  Build Date             Tue, 14 Feb 2023 03:47:17 +0000
  Git Commit ID
  Git Commit Date
  Git Branch

Method 2 – Install OpenRGB with a Deb Package

At this point, you can easily download and install the OpenRGB deb package. As described on the OpenRGB official site, Ubuntu-based distros (22.04 LTS and newer) use Debian Bookworm.deb, and Ubuntu 20.04 LTS-based distros use Debian Buster.deb packages.

Because our server is Ubuntu 22.04, we use the Debian Bookworm Deb package. To download it, you can use the following wget command:

sudo wget https://openrgb.org/releases/release_0.9/openrgb_0.9_amd64_bookworm_b5f46e3.deb

When your download is completed, install your OpenRGB deb package with the command below:

sudo dpkg -i openrgb_0.9_amd64_bookworm_b5f46e3.deb

Verify your installation by checking the OpenRGB version:

openrgb -V

**Output**
OpenRGB 0.9, for controlling RGB lighting.
Version: 0.9
Build Date Mon, 13 Apr 2020 03:57:34 +0000
Git Commit ID b5f46e3f1de03595656c682fc2f068b66e735e63
Git Commit Date 2023-07-09 22:51:47 -0500
Git Branch

How To Uninstall OpenRGB From Ubuntu?

If you no longer want to use OpenRGB, you can easily remove it from your Ubuntu server.

Those who installed OpenRGB with the PPA repo can use the command below:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:thopiekar/openrgb

Then, remove the package OpenRGB with the command below:

sudo apt purge openrgb

Conclusion

As described on the official website, the main purpose of the RGB color model is for the sensing, representation, and display of images in electronic systems, such as televisions and computers, though it has also been used in conventional photography and colored lighting. OpenRGB provides a network-based Software Development kit that allows third-party software to control all of your RGB.

At this point, you have learned to Install and Uninstall OpenRGB from Ubuntu by using a PPA repository and with a Deb package.

Hope you enjoy it. If you are looking for any help, please comment for us.

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Alternative Methods for Installing OpenRGB on Ubuntu

While the original article presented two viable methods for installing OpenRGB (PPA and .deb package), there are alternative approaches that might be suitable depending on your specific needs and system configuration. Here are two such alternatives:

1. Installing OpenRGB using Snap Package

Snap is a package management system developed by Canonical (the company behind Ubuntu). It aims to provide a universal packaging format that works across different Linux distributions. Using Snap can simplify the installation process and ensure that dependencies are handled correctly.

Explanation:

Snap packages are self-contained, meaning they include all the necessary dependencies to run the application. This can be advantageous because it avoids conflicts with system-level libraries and ensures a consistent experience across different Ubuntu versions. Snaps are also automatically updated in the background, which keeps the software secure and up-to-date without requiring manual intervention.

Steps:

Ensure Snapd is installed: Most recent versions of Ubuntu come with Snapd pre-installed. If it’s not, you can install it using the following command:
```
sudo apt update
sudo apt install snapd
```
Install OpenRGB via Snap: Once Snapd is installed, use the following command to install OpenRGB:
```
sudo snap install openrgb
```
Verify Installation: You can verify the installation by running OpenRGB or checking its version.
```
openrgb -V
```

Advantages of Snap:

Simplified installation process.
Automatic updates.
Dependency management handled by Snap.
Security features like sandboxing.

Disadvantages of Snap:

Snap packages can sometimes be larger in size than traditional .deb packages.
The performance of Snap applications can sometimes be slightly slower compared to native applications.

2. Compiling OpenRGB from Source Code

For advanced users or those who need the latest features or specific customizations, compiling OpenRGB from source code is a viable option.

Explanation:

Compiling from source gives you the most control over the installation process. You can configure specific build options, apply patches, and ensure compatibility with your particular system setup. This method also allows you to access the bleeding-edge features that might not yet be available in the pre-built packages.

Steps:

Install Dependencies: OpenRGB has several dependencies that need to be installed before compiling. These typically include build tools, Qt development libraries, and other development packages. The exact list of dependencies may vary depending on your Ubuntu version and the OpenRGB version you are trying to compile. Check the OpenRGB documentation for a comprehensive list, but a common starting point is:
```
sudo apt update
sudo apt install git cmake g++ qtbase5-dev libusb-1.0-0-dev zlib1g-dev
```
Clone the OpenRGB Repository: Use Git to clone the OpenRGB source code from the official GitHub repository:
```
git clone https://gitlab.com/CalcProgrammer1/OpenRGB.git
cd OpenRGB
```
Create a Build Directory: Create a separate directory for the build process.
```
mkdir build
cd build
```
Configure the Build with CMake: Use CMake to configure the build process.
```
cmake ..
```
Compile OpenRGB: Compile the source code using make. This process may take some time depending on your system’s resources.
```
make -j$(nproc)
```
The -j$(nproc) flag tells make to use all available processor cores for faster compilation.
Install OpenRGB: Install the compiled binaries. This usually requires root privileges.
```
sudo make install
```
Configure udev rules (Important for device access):

OpenRGB needs access to the hardware. Copy the udev rules from the OpenRGB source tree to the system rules directory.
```
sudo cp ../udev/99-openrgb.rules /etc/udev/rules.d/
sudo udevadm control --reload-rules
sudo udevadm trigger
```

Advantages of Compiling from Source:

Full control over the build process.
Access to the latest features and bug fixes.
Ability to customize the software to your specific needs.
Potentially better performance (if optimized correctly for your system).

Disadvantages of Compiling from Source:

More complex installation process.
Requires technical knowledge and troubleshooting skills.
Manual dependency management.
Updates are not automatic; you need to recompile whenever a new version is released.

Choosing the right installation method depends on your comfort level with the command line, your need for the latest features, and your willingness to manage dependencies manually. The PPA and .deb package methods offer a good balance between ease of use and control, while Snap provides a simplified experience, and compiling from source offers the ultimate flexibility for experienced users. Remember to always refer to the official OpenRGB documentation for the most up-to-date information and instructions.