How To Install Kernel 6.9.5 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 6.9.5, which has been released a while go, coming with changes.

Kernel 6.9.5 highlights:

CIFS Client Deadlock Resolution: Fixed a deadlock in the CIFS (Common Internet File System) client by adjusting lock handling in smb2_find_smb_tcon(), improving network file system reliability.
NILFS2 Filesystem Corrections: Addressed potential misjudgments and prolonged loops in the NILFS2 filesystem’s nilfs_empty_dir() function during I/O errors, preventing possible file system corruption and system hangs.
PowerPC BPF Atomic Operations: Enforced full ordering for atomic operations with BPF_FETCH on PowerPC architectures, aligning with the Linux Kernel Memory Model requirements and ensuring correct program behavior.
NILFS2 Writeback State Fix: Resolved a potential kernel bug in NILFS2 due to lack of writeback flag waiting, enhancing filesystem stability during write operations.
ARM64 Tegra I2C Alias Correction: Corrected I2C alias configurations for Tegra132, resolving RTC device aliasing issues and eliminating related warnings.
Samsung Keypad Device Tree Fixes: Fixed ‘no-autorepeat’ property configurations in device trees for Samsung Exynos-based boards, aligning with driver expectations and resolving dtbs_check errors.
SOF IPC4 Topology Process Module Fix: Resolved input format query issues for process modules without base extensions in the SOF IPC4 topology, preventing potential null pointer dereferences.

In this guide we will be installing Kernel 6.9.5, 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 6.9.5 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 6.9.5 Packages

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

wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.9.5/amd64/linux-headers-6.9.5-060905-generic_6.9.5-060905.202502190944_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.9.5/amd64/linux-headers-6.9.5-060905_6.9.5-060905.202502190944_all.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.9.5/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-6.9.5-060905-generic_6.9.5-060905.202502190944_amd64.deb
wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.9.5/amd64/linux-modules-6.9.5-060905-generic_6.9.5-060905.202502190944_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 6.9.5.

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 6.9.5.
- 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 6.9.5 (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 6.9.5 is a minor but essential maintenance release that primarily focuses on stability and bug fixes across various subsystems. It addresses key issues in filesystems, networking, and architecture-specific operations, ensuring better system reliability and performance.

One of the most significant improvements in this update is the fix for NILFS2 filesystem, preventing potential crashes caused by improper dentry fid list handling. Additionally, networking reliability is enhanced by resolving SMB2 transaction issues, leading to a more stable experience for CIFS clients.

Other notable improvements include fixed RTC device aliasing for ACPI on certain Samsung devices, ensuring proper keyboard functionality. The PowerPC architecture also receives a crucial memory model compliance fix, optimizing atomic operations for improved stability.

Overall, Linux Kernel 6.9.5 provides essential refinements rather than new features, making it an important upgrade for maintaining a stable and efficient system. Users relying on NILFS2, PowerPC architectures, or network file systems like SMB2 will benefit the most from these refinements.

Newer Kernel 6.9.x versions are also available:

https://idolinux.com/install-kernel6-9-6-ubuntu