In this tutorial, we will show you how to install Linux Kernel 5.15 on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS. The Linux kernel is the core component of the operating system, responsible for managing system resources, handling hardware communication, and providing an interface for user applications. Regularly updating the kernel ensures access to the latest features, performance enhancements, and security patches. Ubuntu 20.04, being a Long-Term Support (LTS) release, is an ideal candidate for upgrading to the latest stable kernel version, Linux Kernel 5.15.
Released in October 2021, Linux Kernel 5.15 introduces several improvements, including better support for Intel and AMD processors, enhanced file system capabilities, and improved power management. This guide will walk you through the process of installing Linux Kernel 5.15 on your Ubuntu 20.04 system, ensuring a smooth transition while minimizing potential issues.
This article assumes you have at least basic knowledge of Linux, know how to use the shell, and most importantly, you host your site on your own VPS. The installation is quite simple and assumes you are running in the root account, if not you may need to add ‘sudo‘ to the commands to get root privileges. I will show you the step-by-step installation of Linux Kernel 5.15 on Ubuntu 20.04 (Focal Fossa). You can follow the same instructions for Ubuntu 18.04, 16.04, and any other Debian-based distribution like Linux Mint.
Prerequisites
- A server running one of the following operating systems: Ubuntu 20.04, 18.04, and any other Debian-based distribution like Linux Mint or elementary OS.
- It’s recommended that you use a fresh OS install to prevent any potential issues.
- A
non-root sudo useror access to theroot user. We recommend acting as anon-root sudo user, however, as you can harm your system if you’re not careful when acting as the root.
Install Linux Kernel 5.15 on Ubuntu 20.04
Step 1. Before proceeding with the kernel installation, it’s essential to ensure that your system meets the necessary requirements and is properly prepared. First, verify that your Ubuntu 20.04 installation is up-to-date by running the following commands:
sudo apt update sudo apt upgrade
Step 2. Installing Linux Kernel 5.15 on Ubuntu 20.04.
- Install Linux Kernel 5.15 using the PPA repository.
Run the command in the terminal to add the PPA to your Ubuntu system:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:tuxinvader/lts-mainline
Once the Kernel 5.15 package is updated, use the command to install it:
sudo apt update sudo apt install linux-generic-5.15
- Install Linux Kernel 5.15 from the official page:
Now we open a terminal and run commands one by one to download and install the packages:
cd /tmp/ wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.15/amd64/linux-headers-5.15.0-051500_5.15.0-051500.202110312130_all.deb wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.15/amd64/linux-headers-5.15.0-051500-generic_5.15.0-051500.202110312130_amd64.deb wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.15/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-5.15.0-051500-generic_5.15.0-051500.202110312130_amd64.deb wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/v5.15/amd64/linux-modules-5.15.0-051500-generic_5.15.0-051500.202110312130_amd64.deb
Next, install a new kernel using the following command below:
sudo dpkg -i *.deb
Once complete, you will need to reboot your system for the new kernel to be fully activated:
reboot
After logging back into your Ubuntu system, run the following command to check the kernel version running:
sudo uname -r
Output:
5.15-051500-generic
Congratulations! You have successfully installed Linux Kernel. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the Linux Kernel 5.15 on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Focal Fossa system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Ubuntu website.
