How to upgrade Linux kernel on Ubuntu

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Method 1: Use System Update Process (Automatic Procedure)

  1. Update System Packages

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    $ sudo apt update

    This command retrieves information about the latest available package versions from the repositories configured on the system.

  2. Run the upgrade

    Run the following command to upgrade the installed packages, including the kernel, to the latest versions available in the repositories:

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    $ sudo apt upgrade

Method 2: Manually Update the Kernel (Advanced Procedure)

There’s another procedure for selecting and installing a new kernel using Mainline. This will take some risk from the untested kernel in mainline.

  1. Add the PPA maintained by cappelikan to the list of software sources or repositories

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    $ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:cappelikan/ppa

  2. Refresh the database

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    $ sudo apt update

  3. Install Mainline utility

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    $ sudo apt install mainline

  4. Launch Mainline utility

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    $sudo mainline
    mainline 1.4.9

    Mainline Kernels 1.4.9 - install kernel packages from https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/

    Syntax: mainline <command> [options]

    Commands

      check               Check for kernel updates
      notify              Check for kernel updates and send a desktop notification
      list                List the available kernels
      list-installed      List the installed kernels
      install-latest      Install the latest mainline kernel
      install-minor       Install the latest mainline kernel without going to a new major version
      install <names>     Install the specified kernels(1)(2)
      uninstall <names>   Uninstall the specified kernels(1)(2)
      uninstall-old       Uninstall all but the highest installed version(2)
      download <names>    Download the specified kernels(1)
      lock <names>        Lock the specified kernels(1)
      unlock <names>      Unlock the specified kernels(1)
      delete-cache        Delete the cached info about available kernels
      write-config        Write the given include/exclude & previous-majors options to the config file
      help                This help

    Options

      --include-rc        Include release-candidate and unstable releases
      --exclude-rc        Exclude release-candidate and unstable releases
      --include-flavors   Include flavors other than "generic"
      --exclude-flavors   Exclude flavors other than "generic"
      --include-invalid   Include failed/incomplete builds
      --exclude-invalid   Exclude failed/incomplete builds
      --previous-majors # Include # (or "all" or "none") previous major versions
      --include-all       Short for "--include-rc --include-flavors --include-invalid --previous-majors all"
      --exclude-all       Short for "--exclude-rc --exclude-flavors --exclude-invalid --previous-majors none"
      -n|--dry-run        Don't actually install or uninstall
      -v|--verbose [#]    Set verbosity level to #, or increment by 1
      --pause             Pause and require keypress before exiting

    Notes
    (1) One or more version strings taken from the output of "list"
        comma, pipe, colon, or space separated. (space requires quotes or backslashes)
    (2) Locked kernels and the currently running kernel are ignored

    mainline: done

  5. List the installed kernel versions

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    $ sudo mainline list-installed
    mainline 1.4.9
    Installed Kernels:
    linux-image-5.15.0-94-generic
    linux-image-6.5.0-17-generic
    linux-image-generic
    linux-image-generic-hwe-22.04
    mainline: done

  6. List the available kernel versions

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    $ sudo mainline list

  7. Install the kernel

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    $ sudo mainline install 6.3

    $ sudo mainline list-installed
    mainline 1.4.9
    Installed Kernels:
    linux-image-5.15.0-94-generic
    linux-image-6.5.0-17-generic
    linux-image-generic
    linux-image-generic-hwe-22.04
    linux-image-unsigned-5.7.12-050712-generic
    linux-image-unsigned-6.3.0-060300-generic
    mainline: done

  8. Boot system with newly installed kernel

    Reboot the system and hold the Shift key or Esc key, depending on the Linux distribution.

    Select Advanced options for Ubuntu and choose the kernel to boot up.