How to Install Liquorix Kernel on Linux Mint 21 LTS

Liquorix Kernel is a free, open-source general-purpose Linux Kernel alternative to the stock kernel. It features custom settings and new features and is built to provide a responsive and smooth desktop experience, especially for new hardware. Liquorix Kernel is popular amongst Linux Gaming, streaming, and ultra-low latency requirements and often boasts the latest Linux Kernels, having multiple branches for different Hardware requirements. For users looking for more performance out of their systems or just wanting to use the newest kernel, Liquorix Kernel is an excellent option. The company that builds the Liquorix Kernel offers commercial support and development services should you need them. If you’re looking for a rock-solid and well-supported Linux Kernel alternative, Liquorix Kernel is worth checking out.

For more information on Liquorix Kernel before installing, visit the Liquorix Kernel features information page.

Liquorix Kernel only supports x86_64 processor architecture.

Liquorix Kernel does not support secure boot.

In the following tutorial, you will learn how to import the Liquorix Kernel PPA and install the latest Linux Kernel on your Linux Mint 21 LTS release series with the command line terminal, along with how to restore the original default kernel.

Update Linux Mint

Before you begin, run an update on your system to ensure all packages are up-to-date to avoid any conflicts during the installation, this is critical given you are installing a kernel.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Install Required Packages

To complete the installation, you will need to install the following software packages by using the following command in your terminal.

sudo apt install dirmngr ca-certificates software-properties-common gnupg gnupg2 apt-transport-https curl -y

Import the Liquorix Kernel PPA

The tutorial will install Liquorix Kernel directly from the Ubuntu LaunchPAD PPA, which is better for faster updates and compatibility. The first task is to import the GPG key needed for all the repositories. If you have issues importing the GPG key, please see the end section on GPG troubleshooting at the end of the article.

sudo gpg --no-default-keyring --keyring /usr/share/keyrings/liquorix.gpg --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A7654D8BAB1824F4D8F4E9D19352A0B69B72E6DF >> /dev/null

Example output:

gpg: key 9352A0B69B72E6DF: public key "Launchpad PPA for Steven Barrett" imported
gpg: Total number processed: 1
gpg:               imported: 1

Next, import the PPA containing the kernel PPA maintained by Steven Barrett. In your terminal, use the following command.

echo 'deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/liquorix.gpg] https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/damentz/liquorix/ubuntu jammy main' | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list.d/liquorix.list

Now run an APT update command to reflect the new addition to your APT package manager.

sudo apt update

In your terminal, use the following command to begin the installation.

sudo apt-get install linux-image-liquorix-amd64 linux-headers-liquorix-amd64 -y

Once the chosen repository Linux kernel has been installed, you will need to reboot your system to complete the installation.

reboot

Once you have returned, verify the kernel using the following command.

cat /proc/version

Alternatively, install neofetch for a pretty output.

sudo apt install neofetch -y

Use the following command to print out your system specs, including the kernel.

neofetch

Example output:

Remember, this version number will be different in time, and the Liquorix kernel receives updates constantly.

How to Update/Upgrade Liquorix Kernel

To keep the Linux kernel you installed with Liquorix up to date, you will run the standard apt update and upgrade commands.

To check for updates.

sudo apt update

If an upgrade is available.

sudo apt upgrade

Note that Liquorix often follows the Linux Kernel mainline. Often, XanMod may be faster with its edge branch. Still, Liquorix is usually a few days to a week behind, which sometimes can be better to ensure nothing breaks after a new release.

How to Remove (Uninstall) Liquorix Kernel

To remove Liquourix Kernel, use the following command.

sudo apt-get autoremove linux-image-liquorix-amd64 linux-headers-liquorix-amd64 --purge

Ideally, you can remove the PPA repository and GPG key as well. You can re-import both in the future if you want to re-install the kernel using the steps at the start of the tutorial.

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/liquorix.list /usr/share/keyrings/liquorix.gpg

Alternatively, you may need to remove the Liquorix with the following command.

Note you will need to use the exact name of the Linux image and header package. This can be found by using the following command.

dpkg --list | grep `uname -r`

Example output:

As above, the names are highlighted in red now; remove the kernel packages using the following command, which should cover all versions of Liquorix; if not, modify the command to suit the kernel version in your output.

sudo apt-get autoremove linux-image-*.*.-*.*-liquorix-amd64 linux-headers-*.*.*-*.*-liquorix-amd64 --purge

You will receive this prompt warning.

Example:

This warning is if you have no old kernel to fall back to. The tutorial case still has the current 5.15 LTS kernel installed. If you removed and cleaned the kernels, re-install your Linux kernel.

sudo apt install linux-image-generic

Failure to do this may result in your system being unbootable. The tutorial still had the kernel present, but you should always check. If a kernel is present, then that is good. This exercise is just about ensuring you do.

Run a quick update-grub and initramfs.

sudo update-initramfs -u && sudo update-grub

Now restart your PC to finalize the removal of Liquorix.

reboot

Once you have returned to your system, verify the installation.

cat /proc/version

For the people that love colors again, run neofetch.

neofetch

Example output:

You have successfully fallen back to the existing default generic kernel.

How to Fix Broken GPG Import

Users that have installed Linux Mint for the first time or have not imported a GPG key before using the command line terminal will often have issues importing GPG keys from LaunchPAD PPAs due to the directories not being created. This is an easy fix. Use the following command that will, in turn, generate the directories.

sudo gpg --list-keys

Example output:

As above, the necessary directories have been created. This can be skipped, and use the following GPG import command below. If you have any issues with directories missing for this and any other PPA GPG key in the future, just run the above command.

Comments and Conclusion

If you’re looking for a Linux Kernel optimized for gaming, streaming, or ultra-low latency requirements, Liquorix Kernel may be the right choice. It features custom settings and new features tailored to provide a responsive and smooth desktop experience on modern hardware. Plus, it’s always up-to-date with the latest Linux Kernels. Give Liquorix Kernel a try today!