How To Install Kernel 6.13.11 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 6.13.11, which has been released a while go, coming with changes:

ACPI: ASUS Vivobook 14 X1404VAP
Introduced a quirk to prevent overwriting the keyboard IRQ on this specific model, ensuring proper keyboard functionality.

ACPI: nfit
Fixed a narrow conversion issue in acpi_nfit_ctl, addressing potential data handling problems in non-volatile memory interfaces.

ARM Architecture
Implemented a requirement for the linker to support the KEEP directive within OVERLAY sections, enhancing compatibility and preventing build issues when using certain linker configurations.

Tracing Subsystem
Resolved a build failure by ensuring that PERF enums are not used when the performance monitoring feature is not defined, maintaining build integrity across different configurations.

Platform/X86: AMD PMF Driver
Addressed multiple issues in the AMD Platform Management Framework driver, including proper cleanup sequences to prevent double frees and ensuring correct error handling in initialization routines.

ASoC: cs42l43 Codec Driver
Updated the driver to use SYSTEM_SLEEP_PM_OPS, eliminating build warnings related to unused functions when power management sleep support is disabled.

These updates enhance the stability and reliability of the kernel, addressing specific issues across various subsystems.​

Check your current kernel version:

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

uname -r

How to install Kernel 6.13.11 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 6.13.11 Packages

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

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.13.11/amd64/linux-headers-6.13.11-061311-generic_6.13.11-061311.202504101401_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.13.11/amd64/linux-headers-6.13.11-061311_6.13.11-061311.202504101401_all.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.13.11/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-6.13.11-061311-generic_6.13.11-061311.202504101401_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.13.11/amd64/linux-modules-6.13.11-061311-generic_6.13.11-061311.202504101401_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 6.13.11.

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 6.13.11.
  • 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 6.13.11 (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

Linux Kernel 6.13.11 may be a minor release, but it includes several important stability updates and targeted fixes for hardware compatibility, particularly for ACPI components and platform-specific drivers. The patch strengthens system resilience by addressing build issues, memory handling errors, and power management quirks across a variety of subsystems.While no major features are introduced in this version, the attention to bug fixing and maintaining kernel integrity reinforces the stability of the 6.13.x series. For users and maintainers, this update is recommended to ensure improved system reliability and better hardware support, especially on newer or specialized devices.