How To Install Kernel 6.10.14 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 6.10.14, which has been released a while go, coming with changes.

Kernel 6.10.14 highlights:

perf tool: Enhanced the Python scripting capabilities by allowing checks for the existence of warning options in clang. This improvement facilitates better compatibility and functionality when using clang for performance analysis.
perf report: Fixed a segmentation fault that occurred when the ‘sym’ sort key was not used. This fix ensures more stable performance reporting, especially in scenarios where symbol sorting is omitted.
AMD Display Driver: Addressed a potential null pointer dereference in the enable_hpo_dp_link_output function by adding a check for link_res->hpo_dp_link_enc before usage. This correction enhances the stability of AMD’s display driver, particularly when handling High-Performance Output DisplayPort links.

In this guide we will be installing Kernel 6.10.14, which has been released a while go, bringing some fixes and enhancements only.

Check your current kernel version:

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

uname -r

How to install Kernel 6.10.14 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 6.10.14 Packages

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

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.10.14/amd64/linux-headers-6.10.14-061014-generic_6.10.14-061014.202411070043_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.10.14/amd64/linux-headers-6.10.14-061014_6.10.14-061014.202411070043_all.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.10.14/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-6.10.14-061014-generic_6.10.14-061014.202411070043_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.10.14/amd64/linux-modules-6.10.14-061014-generic_6.10.14-061014.202411070043_amd64.deb

Step 3: Install the New Kernel

Install the downloaded packages using dpkg:

sudo dpkg -i linux-headers-6.10*.deb linux-modules-6.10*.deb linux-image-6.10*.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 Configuration

Run 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 6.10.14.

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 6.10.14.
- 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 6.10.14 (if desired) – If you prefer to remove the new kernel permanently, run:

sudo apt remove linux-headers-6.10* linux-modules-6.10* linux-image-6.10*
sudo update-grub
sudo reboot

Conclusion

Linux Kernel 6.10.14 brings key stability and performance improvements, particularly in system monitoring, debugging, and display driver functionality. The updates to the perf tool enhance its scripting capabilities, making it more efficient when working with clang, which is beneficial for developers and system administrators performing performance analysis. Additionally, the fix in perf report resolves a segmentation fault issue, ensuring more reliable profiling and monitoring.

For users of AMD hardware, this release introduces a crucial fix in the display driver, preventing potential crashes caused by null pointer dereferences when handling High-Performance Output DisplayPort links. This improvement enhances the stability of multi-monitor setups and high-resolution displays, ensuring smoother operation on AMD GPUs.

These updates, though not major feature additions, contribute to the overall reliability and usability of the Linux kernel. By addressing issues related to performance monitoring and graphics stability, version 6.10.14 ensures a more seamless experience for both developers and end users.

Overall, this release is a recommended update, particularly for those relying on perf tools for system analysis or using AMD graphics hardware. Keeping up with the latest kernel improvements helps maintain optimal system security, stability, and performance.