How To Install Kernel 6.13.5 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 6.13.5, which has been released a while go, coming with changes.

Kernel 6.13.5 highlights:

AMD GPU Driver:

Version Bump for Compute Stability:
- The AMDGPU driver version has been incremented to address compute stability issues on Raven and Picasso GPUs. This update allows Mesa to enable compute queues on these GPUs, improving performance and reliability.
Manual Control of GFXOFF for Compute Submissions:
- To mitigate hangs observed with compute queues, especially when Mesa utilizes them more frequently, the driver now manually controls the GFXOFF feature during command submissions. This change enhances stability for compute workloads on Raven and Picasso APUs.

Networking:

PSE-PD Current Limit Deadlock Fix:
- Resolved a deadlock in the Power Sourcing Equipment Powered Device (PSE-PD) subsystem’s current limit functions. The issue was due to consecutive mutex locks, and the fix involves using an unlocked version of the voltage retrieval function to prevent potential system hangs.

Tracing:

Uninitialized Variable Fix in tracing_set_tracer():
- Addressed an issue in the tracing subsystem where the ret variable could be used uninitialized within the tracing_set_tracer() function. This fix ensures proper initialization, preventing unpredictable behavior during tracing operations.

Check your current kernel version:

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

uname -r

How to install Kernel 6.13.5 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 6.13.5 Packages

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

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.13.5/amd64/linux-headers-6.13.5-061305-generic_6.13.5-061305.202502271338_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.13.5/amd64/linux-headers-6.13.5-061305_6.13.5-061305.202502271338_all.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.13.5/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-6.13.5-061305-generic_6.13.5-061305.202502271338_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.13.5/amd64/linux-modules-6.13.5-061305-generic_6.13.5-061305.202502271338_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 6.13.5.

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 6.13.5.
- 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 6.13.5 (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

Upgrading to Linux kernel 6.13.5 on Ubuntu, Debian, and their derivative systems offers users the latest enhancements in system stability and performance.

This version addresses critical issues, such as compute stability problems on Raven and Picasso GPUs, by updating the AMDGPU driver. This improvement ensures that applications leveraging compute queues, like Mesa, operate more reliably on these GPUs.

Additionally, the kernel resolves a deadlock in the Power Sourcing Equipment Powered Device (PSE-PD) subsystem’s current limit functions. This fix prevents potential system hangs during specific networking operations, enhancing overall network stability. Moreover, an uninitialized variable issue in the tracing subsystem’s tracing_set_tracer() function has been corrected, ensuring more predictable behavior during tracing operations.

Before proceeding with the kernel upgrade, it’s essential to back up your system and verify compatibility with your hardware and software configurations. After installation, you can confirm the successful upgrade by running the uname -r command to check the current kernel version.

Testing system stability and performance post-upgrade is crucial to ensure that all components, including drivers, networking, and applications, function correctly. Maintaining a fallback option, such as keeping the previous kernel in the GRUB menu, allows for an easy reversion to a stable configuration if any issues arise.

By staying up-to-date with the latest kernel releases, users benefit from ongoing enhancements in performance, hardware support, and security.

Regular updates ensure that your system remains optimized, secure, and capable of handling new workloads effectively. However, for production environments, it’s advisable to test the new kernel on a non-critical system before deploying it widely to mitigate potential risks.

Newer Kernel 6.13.x versions are also available:

How To Install Kernel 6.13.6 On Ubuntu, Debian And Derivative Systems