How To Install Kernel 6.14 RC6 On Ubuntu, Debian And Derivative Systems

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

The latest version available of the Kernel 6.14 branch is Kernel 6.14 RC6, which has been described by Linus Torvalds as a boring release, according to Phoronix.

Kernel 6.14 RC6 highlights:

• AMDXDNA Driver Introduction: The new AMDXDNA driver has been introduced to support Ryzen AI Neural Processing Units (NPUs), enhancing AI capabilities on AMD platforms.
• NTSYNC Driver Implementation: The NTSYNC driver has been implemented to emulate Windows NT synchronization primitives within the Linux kernel, potentially improving performance for Windows games running on Linux through Wine.
• Networking Enhancements: Updates include refactoring the networking core to reduce RTNL lock contention, optimizing XDP socket code, and improving ICMP rate-limiting scalability.
• Scheduler Improvements: Enhancements to the fair scheduler (SCHED_FAIR), deadline scheduler, and load-balancer have been made to improve performance and efficiency.
• Rust Language Support: The kernel now includes abstractions for developing PCI and platform device drivers using the Rust programming language, paving the way for more Rust-based drivers in the future.
• AMD CPU Feature Support: Support for new AMD CPU features, including Secure TSC and SRSO_USER_KERNEL_NO, has been added to enhance security and performance on AMD platforms.

In this guide we will be installing Kernel 6.14 RC6, which has been released a while go.

Check your current kernel version:

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

uname -r

How to install Kernel 6.14 RC6 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 6.14 RC6 Packages

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

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.14-rc6/amd64/linux-headers-6.14.0-061400rc6-generic_6.14.0-061400rc6.202503100037_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.14-rc6/amd64/linux-headers-6.14.0-061400rc6_6.14.0-061400rc6.202503100037_all.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.14-rc6/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-6.14.0-061400rc6-generic_6.14.0-061400rc6.202503100037_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.14-rc6/amd64/linux-modules-6.14.0-061400rc6-generic_6.14.0-061400rc6.202503100037_amd64.deb

Step 3: Install the New Kernel

Install the downloaded packages using dpkg:

sudo dpkg -i linux-headers-6.14*.deb linux-modules-6.14*.deb linux-image-6.14*.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 6.14 RC6.

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 6.14 RC6.
  • 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 6.14 RC6 (if desired) – If you prefer to remove the new kernel permanently, run:

sudo apt remove linux-headers-6.14* linux-modules-6.14* linux-image-6.14*
sudo update-grub
sudo reboot

Conclusion

As of March 10, 2025, Linux kernel 6.14 has reached its sixth release candidate (RC6) phase, indicating that the final stable release is imminent.

Ubuntu 25.04, codenamed “Plucky Puffin,” is scheduled for release on April 17, 2025, and is planned to include the Linux 6.14 kernel.

This integration is expected to bring numerous enhancements, such as improved hardware support and performance optimizations, aligning with Ubuntu’s commitment to providing up-to-date and efficient systems for its users.

Newer Kernel 6.14.x version available

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