How To Install Kernel 6.10.4 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 6.10.4, which has been released a while go, coming with changes.

Kernel 6.10.4 highlights

ARM Architecture: Enhanced ARM support by addressing issues in the perf_callchain.c and proc.c files, improving performance monitoring and processor operations.
RISC-V Architecture: Fixed bugs in sbi-ipi.c, fault.c, and init.c, leading to more stable inter-processor interrupts and memory management.
S390 Architecture: Resolved issues in floating-point unit handling (fpu.c) and page table dumping (dump_pagetables.c), enhancing system reliability.
x86 Architecture: Made significant improvements to Intel core event handling (core.c), optimizing performance monitoring.
Graphics Drivers: Updated AMDGPU, AST, i915, Nouveau, V3D, Virtio, and VMWgfx drivers, resulting in better graphics performance and stability.

In this guide we will be installing Kernel 6.10.4, 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 6.10.4 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 6.10.4 Packages

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

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.10.4/amd64/linux-headers-6.10.4-061004-generic_6.10.4-061004.202408111201_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.10.4/amd64/linux-headers-6.10.4-061004_6.10.4-061004.202408111201_all.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.10.4/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-6.10.4-061004-generic_6.10.4-061004.202408111201_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.10.4/amd64/linux-modules-6.10.4-061004-generic_6.10.4-061004.202408111201_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 6.10.4.

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 6.10.4.
- 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 6.10.4 (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

Upgrading to Linux Kernel 6.10.4 brings significant improvements across multiple architectures, ensuring better performance, stability, and hardware support. With fixes and optimizations for ARM, RISC-V, S390, and x86 architectures, this release enhances system reliability by addressing issues related to performance monitoring, inter-processor communication, and memory management. These updates make the kernel more robust for both general users and those running specialized workloads.

One of the key highlights of this release is the improvement in graphics drivers, including AMDGPU, AST, i915, Nouveau, V3D, Virtio, and VMWgfx. These updates contribute to better display performance, reduced graphical glitches, and improved support for modern GPUs. Users who rely on Linux for gaming, content creation, or GPU-accelerated workloads will benefit from these refinements, making Kernel 6.10.4 a solid choice for graphics-intensive applications.

For those running Linux on enterprise servers or embedded systems, the enhanced support for various architectures ensures smoother operations and fewer system crashes. Fixes in floating-point operations, page table dumping, and event handling improve efficiency, especially on platforms that require precise computation and resource management. These refinements make Kernel 6.10.4 an attractive option for developers working with diverse hardware environments.

Overall, Linux Kernel 6.10.4 is a well-rounded update that enhances compatibility, performance, and system stability. Whether used for general computing, high-performance workloads, or specialized hardware, this release provides meaningful improvements that make upgrading worthwhile. Users are encouraged to update to take full advantage of the latest enhancements while ensuring their system remains secure and optimized.

Newer Kernel 6.10.x versions are also available:

How To Install Kernel 6.10.5 On Ubuntu, Debian And Derivative Systems