Ollama is a powerful tool for running large language models (LLMs) locally. However, there may come a time when you need to uninstall it entirely, whether to free up disk space or troubleshoot an issue. This guide walks you through completely removing Ollama and erasing all related files, including any LLM models downloaded on Linux systems.
Why Completely Uninstall Ollama?
There are several reasons you might want to uninstall Ollama and erase its associated data:
- Freeing Up Disk Space: LLM models can consume significant storage.
- Starting Fresh: Clean installation to troubleshoot errors.
- Switching to a Different Tool: Transitioning to another solution.
Steps to Completely Uninstall Ollama
1. Stop and Remove the Docker Container
If you are running Ollama via Docker, stop and remove the container.
Stop the Container
docker stop ollama
Remove the Container
docker rm ollama
Remove the Docker Image
List the images to confirm the ollama/ollama image exists:
docker images
Remove the image:
docker rmi ollama/ollama
2. Uninstall Ollama Installed via Package Manager
If you installed Ollama directly on your Linux system, uninstall it using your package manager.
For Debian/Ubuntu:
sudo apt-get remove --purge ollama
sudo apt-get autoremove
For Fedora/CentOS/RHEL:
sudo dnf remove ollama
For Arch Linux:
sudo pacman -Rns ollama
3. Remove Configuration Files
After uninstalling Ollama, residual configuration files may still exist. Remove them manually to ensure a clean slate.
Common Directories to Check
Home Directory Configurations:
rm -rf ~/.ollama
System-Wide Configurations:
sudo rm -rf /etc/ollama
Log Files: Check for logs and delete them:
sudo rm -rf /var/log/ollama
4. Erase LLM Models
LLM models downloaded by Ollama can take up significant disk space. These models are often stored in specific directories.
Find and Remove LLM Models
Locate the folder storing the models:
sudo find / -type d -name "ollama"
Remove the models:
sudo rm -rf /path/to/ollama
5. Clean Docker Volumes (If Applicable)
If you used Docker to run Ollama, its volumes might still exist, storing model data.
List Volumes
docker volume ls
Remove Ollama Volume
docker volume rm ollama
6. Verify the Uninstallation
To ensure Ollama and its files are entirely removed:
Run the following command to check if any traces remain:
sudo find / -name "ollama" -type f
Confirm no results are returned.
Additional Tips
Check Disk Usage
After uninstalling, verify the reclaimed disk space:
df -h
Reinstall Ollama
If you plan to reinstall Ollama later, follow the official Ollama installation guide.
Conclusion
By following this guide, you can completely uninstall Ollama and erase all LLM models from your Linux system. This process ensures no residual files or data occupy your disk space, leaving your system clean and ready for other tasks. Whether you’re troubleshooting, switching tools, or reclaiming space, these steps will help you achieve your goal.
