How To Install Kernel 6.12.23 On Ubuntu, Debian And Derivative Systems

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

Recently, Kernel 6.12.23, has been released, coming with a few changes only.

Linux Kernel 6.12.23 is a minor maintenance release focused on stability, bug fixes, and hardware compatibility improvements. This update addresses several regressions and minor vulnerabilities reported in previous versions. Here are some of the key changes:

Network Stack Fixes
Multiple patches improve the stability and performance of networking components, including corrections for packet handling in IPv6, TCP, and device drivers like mlx5 and bnxt.
Filesystem Improvements
Fixes were introduced for btrfs and xfs, addressing corner cases that could cause unexpected behavior or errors under specific workloads.
Driver Updates
Hardware support has been fine-tuned across various subsystems, including improvements for USB controllers, AMD GPU driver adjustments, and updated sound drivers for Realtek audio chips.
Security and Stability Fixes
Several memory safety and logic errors were resolved across subsystems such as netfilter, cgroup, mm (memory management), and KVM virtualization, improving the overall system robustness.

In this guide we will be installing Kernel 6.12.23 on Ubuntu, Linux Mint and derivative systems.

Check your current kernel version:

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

uname -r

How to install Kernel 6.12.23 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 6.12.23 Packages

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

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.12.23/amd64/linux-headers-6.12.23-061223-generic_6.12.23-061223.202504101408_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.12.23/amd64/linux-headers-6.12.23-061223_6.12.23-061223.202504101408_all.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.12.23/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-6.12.23-061223-generic_6.12.23-061223.202504101408_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.12.23/amd64/linux-modules-6.12.23-061223-generic_6.12.23-061223.202504101408_amd64.deb

Step 3: Install the New Kernel

Install the downloaded packages using dpkg:

sudo dpkg -i linux-headers-6.12*.deb linux-modules-6.12*.deb linux-image-6.12*.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 6.12.23.

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 6.12.23.
- 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 6.12.23 (if desired) – If you prefer to remove the new kernel permanently, run:

sudo apt remove linux-headers-6.12* linux-modules-6.12* linux-image-6.12*
sudo update-grub
sudo reboot

Conclusion

Linux Kernel 6.12.23 is a routine but important update that focuses on refining system stability, fixing minor bugs, and improving hardware compatibility. While it doesn’t introduce new features, it strengthens the reliability of existing components — making it a recommended upgrade for anyone using the 6.12 kernel series, especially in production or hardware-diverse environments.