How To Install Kernel 6.9.11 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 6.9.11, which has been released a while go, coming with changes.

Kernel 6.9.11 highlights

CacheFiles Subsystem Fixes:

• Resolved a slab-use-after-free issue in cachefiles_withdraw_cookie(), preventing potential system crashes during cache withdrawal operations.
• Fixed a similar use-after-free problem in fscache_withdraw_volume(), enhancing the stability of the filesystem caching mechanism.

In this guide we will be installing Kernel 6.9.11, 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 6.9.11 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 6.9.11 Packages

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

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.9.11/amd64/linux-headers-6.9.11-060911-generic_6.9.11-060911.202502190940_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.9.11/amd64/linux-headers-6.9.11-060911_6.9.11-060911.202502190940_all.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.9.11/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-6.9.11-060911-generic_6.9.11-060911.202502190940_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.9.11/amd64/linux-modules-6.9.11-060911-generic_6.9.11-060911.202502190940_amd64.deb

Step 3: Install the New Kernel

Install the downloaded packages using dpkg:

sudo dpkg -i linux-headers-6.9*.deb linux-modules-6.9*.deb linux-image-6.9*.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 6.9.11.

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 6.9.11.
  • 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 6.9.11 (if desired) – If you prefer to remove the new kernel permanently, run:

sudo apt remove linux-headers-6.9* linux-modules-6.9* linux-image-6.9*
sudo update-grub
sudo reboot

Conclusion

Linux Kernel 6.9.11 is a minor but important update focused on stability and bug fixes, particularly in the filesystem caching subsystem. The release addresses use-after-free issues in fscache and cachefiles, which improves overall system reliability and prevents potential crashes during cache withdrawal operations.

While this update does not introduce major new features, it enhances the security and robustness of Linux’s filesystem caching, making it particularly relevant for users who rely on network file systems and caching mechanisms.

Given the nature of the fixes, users running workloads that depend on fscache or cachefiles should consider upgrading to Linux 6.9.11 to avoid potential stability issues. For those on stable production environments, this update provides additional reliability improvements, making it a valuable minor release.

Newer Kernel 6.9.x versions are also available:

How To Install Kernel 6.9.12 On Ubuntu, Debian And Derivative Systems