How to Install Liquorix Linux Kernel on Ubuntu 20.04

Liqourix Kernel is a free, open-source general-purpose Linux Kernel alternative to the stock kernel with Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Focal Fossa. 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 to choose from the stable, edge, and development.

For users seeking to have their Ubuntu 20.04 LTS system kernel up to date and not wanting to manually install kernels or use the testing/unstable repositories, installing a third-party kernel that may be for you.

In the following tutorial, you will learn how to import the Liquorix Kernel PPA and install the latest Linux Kernel on your Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Focal Fossa.

Prerequisites

• Recommended OS: Ubuntu 20.04 or higher
• User account: A user account with sudo or root access.

Update Operating System

Update your Ubuntu operating system to make sure all existing packages are up to date:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

The tutorial will be using the sudo command and assuming you have sudo status.

To verify sudo status on your account:

sudo whoami

Example output showing sudo status:

[joshua@ubuntu ~]$ sudo whoami
root

To set up an existing or new sudo account, visit our tutorial on How to Add a User to Sudoers on Ubuntu.

To use the root account, use the following command with the root password to log in.

su

The tutorial will be utilizing the terminal, and for those unfamiliar, this can be found in your show applications menu.

Example:

Import the Liquorix Kernel PPA

The first task is to import the Liquorix Kernel PPA. For Ubuntu users, this is relatively easy with using PPA’s, and this one is maintained by the same team behind the Liquorix kernel so it can be safely trusted.

In your terminal, use the following command to download the bash script.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:damentz/liquorix -y

Next, refresh your APT repository to reflect the new addition.

sudo apt update

To verify, you can use the grep command to check the file contents.

grep liquorix /etc/apt/sources.list.d/damentz-ubuntu-liquorix-focal.list

Example output:

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/damentz/liquorix/ubuntu focal main
# deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/damentz/liquorix/ubuntu focal main

As above, the repositories have been successfully imported by the PPA.

Install Liquorix Kernel

Next, with the bash script downloaded and repositories now updated, you can begin the installation of the Liquorix kernel.

Currently, the Liquorix kernel is at 5.14, but once 5.15 is stable enough, it usually follows through quickly.

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

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

Example output:

Type Y, then press the ENTER KEY to proceed with the installation.

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

sudo reboot

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

hostnamectl

Or you can use the cat version command.

cat /proc/version

Example output:

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

How to Update Liqourix Kernel

To keep the Linux kernel you installed with Liquorix up to date, and 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

Alternatively, users on stable can upgrade to edge by using the installation command. Ideally, do not swap too frequently. This can cause issues.

How to Remove (Uninstall) Liqourix Kernel

To remove Liquourix Kernel, use the following command.

WARNING – If you did not remove the default Ubuntu 20.04 kernel, you could proceed below. If not, re-install the default Kernel. By default, you should have the existing kernel on your system. You will know if you removed it or not from the example below. An old Kernel still exists.

sudo apt-get remove linux-image-liquorix-amd64 linux-headers-liquorix-amd64

Example output:

This will entirely remove all traces of Liquorix Kernel’s possible and unused dependencies.

Ideally, you can remove the PPA repository as well.

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:damentz/liquorix -y
sudo apt update

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.

sudo apt-get autoremove linux-image-5.14.0-18.1-liquorix-amd64c linux-headers-5.14.0-18.1-liquorix-amd64 --purge

You will receive this prompt warning.

Example:

This warning is if you have no old existing kernel to fall back to. The tutorial case still has the existing 5.11 kernel installed. If you removed and cleaned the kernels, re-install your Linux kernel as follows.

sudo apt install linux-image-amd64

Failure to do this will result in your system being unbootable and will create a headache.

Next, update-grub.

sudo update-grub2

Now restart your PC to finalize the removal of Liquorix.

sudo reboot

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

hostnamectl

Or you can use the cat version command.

cat /proc/version

Example output:

As above, you have successfully fallen back to the existing default Linux Kernel of Ubuntu 20.04.

Comments and Conclusion

In the tutorial, you have learned how to install Liquorix Kernel on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Focal Fossa. Liquorix Kernel is designed for desktop users with the latest hardware, but this can be installed on any Ubuntu desktop or server. However, it’s advised to research before upgrading, and it is ill-advised to use it on critical or production-type systems.

There is some debate amongst Liquorix vs. XanMod or other similar alternative kernels. Ideally, Liquorix does not push for the latest bleeding-edge kernels like XanMod but instead focuses on some of the newest kernels that are very stable and perform well, which gives users more confidence, stability, and in the end, performance compared to more unstable alternatives. This, however, is debatable, and different setups will experience other pros and cons.