How to Install Linux Kernel 6.2 on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04

Linux users have reason to rejoice with the release of the latest kernel series, Linux 6.2. This new kernel version has several new and updated drivers, improved hardware support, and exciting new features. Protective load balancing (PLB) for the IPv6 stack, Intel’s “asynchronous exit notification” mechanism, and a new FineIBT control-flow integrity mechanism for x86 are just some of the highlights. In addition, Linux 6.2 introduces a new tool called RV (Runtime Verification) and a new framework to handle compute-acceleration devices, along with support for user-defined BPF objects and extended memory-naming features.

Security-wise, Linux 6.2 has improved the Landlock security module, faster mitigation of the Retbleed speculative execution attack on Intel CPUs, and the ability to place an upper limit on the number of times the kernel is allowed to oops before it reboots or panics.

There are also new and updated drivers for supporting newer hardware, such as improved NVMe device support, DCN support on ARM, and Qualcomm SM6115 support. Basic support for the Sony DualShock4 USB controller and the MediaTek MT6370 I2C Sub Power Management Chips, as seen in the Orange Pi 4G-IoT open-source single-board computer, has been added as well.

For those interested in installing Linux Kernel 6.2, this guide will walk you through installing Linux Kernel 6.2 on your Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 desktop or server using two different PPA methods.

Step 1: Update Ubuntu

Before installing Linux Kernel 6.2, it is important to ensure your system is current. This means updating all existing packages on your system, as it can prevent conflicts from arising during the Installation or upgrading.

sudo apt update

Before moving forward, you can preview the updates that will be made to your system by using a command to list the available upgrades.

apt list --upgradable

Use the provided command to initiate the upgrade process if any updates are available.

sudo apt upgrade

Install & Configure Required Dependencies

The following packages are required for Installation. Please run the command below to install them.

sudo apt install ca-certificates apt-transport-https software-properties-common lsb-release -y

If you are new to importing GPG keys from Ubuntu’s KeyServer, you may encounter an issue where your command line terminal does not create the necessary directories. However, this can be easily fixed by using a command to create these directories, which will ensure smooth operation when launching PPAs on Launchpad.

sudo gpg --list-keys

Example output:

gpg: directory '/root/.gnupg' created
gpg: keybox '/root/.gnupg/pubring.kbx' created
gpg: /root/.gnupg/trustdb.gpg: trustdb created

This step is not mandatory, but if you experience any issues, you can execute the command and retry the process.

Method 1: Install Linux Kernel 6.2 with TuxInvader PPA

The recommended method for installing the Linux Kernel 6.2 on Ubuntu is to use the TuxInvader Launchpad PPA. This PPA is regularly updated with the latest versions for Ubuntu Long-term Support releases, such as Jammy Jellyfish and Focal Fossa. However, it’s important to note that these kernels will eventually be replaced by newer versions from the PPA as the mainline kernels have a shorter end of life than LTS kernels. Once you add the PPA, you will receive notifications of minor updates and new releases.

You can import the necessary GPG key using the following command.

sudo gpg --no-default-keyring --keyring /usr/share/keyrings/tuxinvader.gpg --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 3844A6C1C6FD1056

Example output:

gpg: keybox '/usr/share/keyrings/tuxinvader.gpg' created
gpg: key 3844A6C1C6FD1056: public key "Launchpad PPA for tuxinvader" imported
gpg: Total number processed: 1
gpg:               imported: 1

The next step is to import the repository for your Ubuntu system by executing the following command. Ensure you import the correct command for your Ubuntu distribution version.

Option 1: Import Linux Kernel 6.2 Repository for Ubuntu 22.04 LTS:

echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/tuxinvader.gpg] https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/tuxinvader/jammy-mainline/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs) main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/tuxinvader.list

Option 2: Import Linux Kernel 6.2 Repository for Ubuntu 20.04 LTS:

echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/tuxinvader.gpg] https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/tuxinvader/lts-mainline/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs) main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/tuxinvader.list

You can now perform a quick update to cache the new source with the imported repository.

sudo apt update

The next step is to install the Linux Kernel 6.2 generic drivers by running the following command.

sudo apt install linux-generic-6.02

Please note that it looks like the command is for 6.0, but it’s actually for 6.2.

Once the Installation is complete, you must reboot your system for the new kernel to take effect.

reboot

After logging back into your system, you can use the following command to check if the new kernel version is in use.

uname -r

Example output:

6.2-060200-generic

How to Restore Default Kernel

If users find that the new kernel has bugs that affect their hardware, such as loss of sound, they can use the following steps to restore the default kernel. If an alternative kernel was installed, replace the “default kernel” section with the desired kernel to install.

First, remove the TuxInvader LaunchPAD PPA using the following command.

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/tuxinvader.list

Now, execute an APT update to ensure that the repository has been removed.

sudo apt update

Begin the removal and restoration; use the following command.

sudo apt autoremove linux-generic-6.* linux-headers-6.* linux-image-unsigned-6.* linux-modules-6.* --purge

It’s important to note that you may receive a warning message recommending the removal of the Linux Kernel, which could make the system unbootable. In such cases, please select “No” to abort the process. This warning message is simply a reminder to ensure a kernel is installed before rebooting, which will be covered shortly.

Before we reboot, make sure the default generic is installed, do not fuss too much as you can install alternative versions later on as we are just trying to get your system back to working order.

For Ubuntu 22.04 users, use the following command:

sudo apt install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-22.04

For Ubuntu 20.04 users, use the following command:

sudo apt install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-20.04

You may see an output message indicating that the Linux Kernel is already installed, which is normal. The commands ensure a Linux Kernel is on your system, avoiding potential rebooting issues.

Now, reboot your Ubuntu system using the following command or, if you prefer, use the GUI restart option for desktop users.

reboot

Now, confirm that the default generic kernel is installed.

sudo uname -r

Method 2: Install Linux Kernel 6.2 with the Ubuntu Mainline Kernel Installer

The second method is to install the repository of the Ubuntu Mainline kernel tool from the LaunchPAD PPA “ppa:cappelikan/ppa.” This will instantly grab the latest Linux Kernel source and install it on your Ubuntu machine using CLI or a handy GUI. Another benefit of using this tool is installing any Linux kernel as well.

It’s important to note that this method is compatible with both short-term and currently supported long-term releases of Ubuntu, unlike TuxInvader, which only supports the Jammy and Focal LTS distributions.

Install Ubuntu Mainline Kernel Installer:

To ensure the authenticity of the software packages you download, it is recommended that you first import the GPG key for the Ubuntu mainline. This can be done by executing the following command:

sudo gpg --no-default-keyring --keyring /usr/share/keyrings/ubuntumainline.gpg --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 3AE27527713D2479DCAFFD58A89D7C1B2F76304D

Example output:

gpg: keybox '/usr/share/keyrings/ubuntumainline.gpg' created
gpg: key A89D7C1B2F76304D: public key "Launchpad PPA for cappelikan" imported
gpg: Total number processed: 1
gpg:               imported: 1

Suppose you experience any issues while importing the GPG key. In that case, it is advisable to check that you have all the necessary dependencies installed, as outlined at the beginning of the guide.

Once you have verified the dependencies, you can proceed with importing the PPA by executing the following command:

echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/ubuntumainline.gpg] https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/cappelikan/ppa/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs) main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ubuntumainline.list

To ensure that the package list on your system is updated to reflect the newly imported PPA, it is recommended that you perform an APT update after importing the PPA. This can be done by executing the following command:

sudo apt update

To install the Ubuntu Mainline Kernel tool on your system, you can use the following command in the terminal. This command is used to initiate the installation process:

sudo apt install mainline

Install Linux Kernel 6.2 with Graphical Interface (Desktop)

Upon successfully installing the software, you can launch the graphical user interface (GUI) by executing the following command in the terminal. This command is used to open the tool’s interface, where you can access its features and functionalities:

mainline

For desktop users, the application icon for the Ubuntu Mainline Kernel tool can be launched by following the specified path. This can be done by navigating to the specific directory or folder and double-clicking on the application icon to initiate the tool’s interface. The specified path is:

Activities > Show Applications > Ubuntu Mainline Kernel Installer

Example:

Upon opening the Ubuntu Mainline Kernel Installer for the first time, the tool will sync the cache of all the available Linux kernels you can install. This process may take a minute or two to complete.

Once the cache is synced, you can access and install the latest Linux Kernel 6.2 Kernel through the tool’s interface. This can be easily achieved by following the prompts in the tool’s graphical user interface, as illustrated in the screenshot below:

After selecting the Linux Kernel 6.2, you can initiate the installation process by clicking the “Install” button. Once you have clicked the button, a new terminal window will pop up, displaying the status of the installation process. This terminal window will provide you with detailed information on the installation progress, including any errors or warnings that may occur.

As an illustration, the screenshot below shows an example of the installation status displayed in the terminal window:

By default, the notifications feature in the Ubuntu Mainline Kernel Installer is configured to check for updates to the current kernel that is installed on your system. This means that you can easily stay up-to-date with the latest kernel updates.

Install Linux Kernel 6.2 with CLI (Server)

The Ubuntu mainline kernel tool cappelikan/ppa does have a graphical interface for installing Linux kernels. Still, it can also be used from the command line without a graphical interface.

The mainline tool’s command line interface (CLI) allows you to perform the same functions as the graphical interface, including downloading and installing kernels. You can also use the CLI to uninstall kernels, view the currently installed kernels, and manage the boot order of the kernels on your system.

Here are some examples of command line interface (CLI) commands you can use with the mainline tool:

To list the available kernel versions:

mainline --list

Example output:

To view the currently installed kernels:

mainline --list-installed

Example output:

To download a specific kernel version:

mainline --download <version>

To download the kernel of your choice, you must replace <version> in the command with the actual version number of the kernel you wish to download. For instance, if you want to download Linux Kernel 6.2, the command you would need to use is:

mainline --download 6.2.0

It’s worth noting that the install command will automatically download the Linux kernel version of your choice. This means you can skip the download command, unless you plan to download multiple kernels to switch between, or you have limited internet access, for example.

To install a downloaded kernel:

mainline --install <version>

For Linux Kernel 6.2, that command would be:

mainline --install 6.2.0

The newly installed kernel will be set as the default kernel by default. Once the Installation is complete, the terminal output will prompt you to reboot your system with the message “Installation completed. A reboot is required to use the new kernel.” This is necessary to ensure the new kernel is properly loaded and functioning on your system.

sudo reboot

Once back, check the installed version for Linux Kernel 6.2:

mainline --list-installed

Example output:

To set the boot order of the installed kernels:

mainline --set-default <version>

Replace <version> with the kernel version you want to set as the default boot kernel.

To uninstall a kernel:

mainline --uninstall <version>

To remove old kernel versions to free up disk space:

mainline --remove-old

This command will remove all but the two most recent kernels and their associated headers from your system.

To get help with the mainline tool’s command line interface:

mainline --help

This will display a list of available command line options and their descriptions.

Using the command line interface of the mainline tool gives you more flexibility and control over the kernel installation process, especially if you prefer to use the terminal over a graphical interface.

Conclusion

In conclusion, installing a Linux kernel on your Ubuntu system can improve performance and security and provide access to new features. With the help of the Ubuntu Mainline Kernel tool, you can easily download and install a kernel of your choice. Following the simple steps outlined in this guide, you can install the latest Linux Kernel 6.2 on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 LTS. Whether you are an experienced Linux user or a beginner, this step-by-step guide provides an easy-to-follow process to help you install a Linux kernel on your Ubuntu system.

FAQs with Linux Kernel 6.2 with Ubuntu