How To Install Kernel 6.10.6 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 6.10.6, which has been released a while go, coming with changes.

Kernel 6.10.6 highlights

• AMD Display Driver: Reverted a previous change to the dm_dp_mst_is_port_support_mode() function in the AMD display driver due to build issues on ARM64 and ARM systems, restoring compatibility across architectures.
• ATA Subsystem: Reverted a prior commit in the ATA subsystem that caused compatibility issues with utilities like hdparm, hddtemp, and udisks, ensuring these tools function correctly.
• Media Drivers: Reverted a change in the DVB-USB driver that led to issues with devices such as the TeVii S480 dual DVB-S2 S660, restoring proper functionality for these media devices.

In this guide we will be installing Kernel 6.10.6, 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 6.10.6 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 6.10.6 Packages

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

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.10.6/amd64/linux-headers-6.10.6-061006-generic_6.10.6-061006.202408190440_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.10.6/amd64/linux-headers-6.10.6-061006_6.10.6-061006.202408190440_all.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.10.6/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-6.10.6-061006-generic_6.10.6-061006.202408190440_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.10.6/amd64/linux-modules-6.10.6-061006-generic_6.10.6-061006.202408190440_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 6.10.6.

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 6.10.6.
  • 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 6.10.6 (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 6.10.6 focuses on restoring compatibility and stability by reverting problematic changes introduced in previous updates. The rollback of modifications in the AMD display driver ensures that ARM64 and ARM systems can build and run the kernel without issues. This fix is crucial for users running Linux on ARM-based hardware, ensuring a seamless experience without driver-related conflicts.

Additionally, the reversion of a prior commit in the ATA subsystem resolves compatibility problems with popular disk management utilities like hdparm, hddtemp, and udisks. These tools are widely used for monitoring and managing storage devices, and their proper functionality is essential for system administrators and advanced users. By addressing this issue, Kernel 6.10.6 ensures a smoother experience for those who rely on these utilities.

Another important fix comes in the media drivers, specifically for the DVB-USB driver. The rollback restores support for devices like the TeVii S480 dual DVB-S2 S660, which had been affected by previous changes. This update is beneficial for users who depend on digital TV tuners and similar hardware, ensuring that these devices work as expected without interruptions.

Overall, Linux Kernel 6.10.6 is a maintenance release that prioritizes stability by addressing unintended regressions. Users who experienced issues with display drivers, storage utilities, or media devices in recent kernel versions should upgrade to this release for improved reliability. As always, testing in a non-production environment is advised before deploying the update on critical systems.

Newer Kernel 6.10.x versions are also available:

How To Install Kernel 6.10.7 On Ubuntu, Debian And Derivative Systems