How To Install Kernel 6.13.2 On Ubuntu, Debian And Derivative Systems

The Linux kernel is the core component of any Linux operating system, managing hardware resources and system processes.

In this guide we will be installing Kernel 6.13.2, which has been released a while go, coming with small changes and enhancements.

Kernel 6.13.2 highlights:

ACPI:

Fixed a potential memory leak in the fan driver, ensuring more efficient resource management in case of an error during the probing process.

AFS (Andrew File System):

Resolved an issue with cleaning up failed asynchronous calls immediately, preventing them from lingering in /proc/net/rxrpc/calls as canceled with code 6.
Adjusted directory format encoding to correctly use the allocated counter number, preparing for future implementation of a hash table to speed up the afs_lookup() function.
Changed the error code returned by afs_rmdir() from EEXIST to ENOTEMPTY when attempting to remove a non-empty directory, ensuring more accurate error reporting.

Check your current kernel version:

Before proceeding with the installation, verify your current kernel version by running:

uname -r

How to install Kernel 6.13.2 on Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Debian, and derivative systems (amd64/x86_64):

Step 1: Update Your System

Run the following commands to ensure your system is up to date:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

This will update your package list and upgrade all installed packages to their latest versions.

What Does apt update Do?
This command updates the package list to reflect the latest versions available from your repositories.
What Does apt upgrade Do?
It upgrades all the packages that have new versions available while keeping existing dependencies intact.

Step 2: Download the Kernel 6.13.2 Packages

Download the necessary kernel packages from the official Ubuntu repositories or the kernel website:

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.13.2/amd64/linux-headers-6.13.2-061302-generic_6.13.2-061302.202502081010_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.13.2/amd64/linux-headers-6.13.2-061302_6.13.2-061302.202502081010_all.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.13.2/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-6.13.2-061302-generic_6.13.2-061302.202502081010_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.13.2/amd64/linux-modules-6.13.2-061302-generic_6.13.2-061302.202502081010_amd64.deb

Step 3: Install the New Kernel

Install the downloaded packages using dpkg:

sudo dpkg -i linux-headers-6.13*.deb linux-modules-6.13*.deb linux-image-6.13*.deb

Step 4: Update GRUB and Reboot

Once the kernel installation is complete, update GRUB to ensure the new kernel is recognized:

Regenerate the GRUB ConfigurationRun the following command to update GRUB with the latest installed kernel:

sudo update-grub

Verify GRUB Configuration

To confirm that the new kernel has been detected, check the GRUB configuration:

cat /boot/grub/grub.cfg | grep 'menuentry'

This should list all available kernels, including Kernel 6.13.2.

Reboot the System

Restart your computer to apply the changes:

sudo reboot

Select the New Kernel (if needed) – If the system doesn’t automatically boot into the new kernel, you can manually select it:
- Hold Shift or Esc during boot to access the GRUB menu.
- Navigate to Advanced options for Ubuntu.
- Choose the entry with Kernel 6.13.2.
- Press Enter to boot.

Verifying the Installed Kernel

After rebooting, confirm the new kernel version:

uname -r

Rolling Back to a Previous Kernel

If you encounter issues with the new kernel, you can revert to an older version:

Reboot and Access the GRUB Menu – Restart your system and hold Shift or Esc to enter the GRUB boot menu.
Select Advanced options for Ubuntu – Choose an older kernel version and boot into it.
Remove Kernel 6.13.2 (if desired) – If you prefer to remove the new kernel permanently, run:

sudo apt remove linux-headers-6.13* linux-modules-6.13* linux-image-6.13*
sudo update-grub
sudo reboot

Conclusion

In conclusion, Linux kernel 6.13.2 brings important stability and efficiency improvements, addressing memory leaks, error handling, and performance optimizations in key subsystems like ACPI and AFS.

These refinements enhance system reliability, ensuring smoother operation and better resource management. Users are encouraged to upgrade to benefit from these fixes and maintain optimal system performance.

Additionally, the updates in AFS, particularly the improvements in asynchronous call handling and directory format encoding, lay the groundwork for future performance enhancements. By refining how failed calls are managed and optimizing lookup operations, the kernel ensures better efficiency in distributed file systems, which is crucial for enterprise and cloud-based workloads.

Beyond these targeted fixes, kernel 6.13.2 continues the trend of incremental yet meaningful improvements to Linux’s core functionality.

By addressing subtle but impactful bugs, this release reinforces Linux’s reputation for stability and adaptability across diverse computing environments. Whether running on desktops, servers, or embedded systems, users can expect a more resilient and responsive experience with this update.

Newer Kernel 6.13.x versions are also available:

How To Install Kernel 6.13.4 On Ubuntu, Debian And Derivative Systems