Install Linux Kernel 6.14 on Ubuntu 24.04 with Easy Methods

If you are running the Ubuntu 24.04 stable version and you want to enhance its performance and capabilities, you can install Linux Kernel 6.14 on Ubuntu 24.04. Linux kernel 6.14 is the latest and greatest from the Linux world, and it brings a host of improvements that can help your system run faster, smoother, and with support for newer hardware. For a deeper dive into the features and release details, consult this comprehensive guide on Introducing Linux Kernel 6.14.

You can now proceed to the following steps on the Orcacore website to Give Your Ubuntu 24.04 a Boost by easily installing Linux Kernel 6.14.

Note 1: The kernel packages from Mainline aren’t officially signed, so they might not work if you have Secure Boot turned on. Also, they don’t include some drivers that are normally included with Ubuntu.

Note 2: This kernel works on Ubuntu 24.04 and 24.10. If you’re using Ubuntu 25.04 in the future, you won’t need to install it manually—Kernel 6.14 will be the default there.

Give Your Ubuntu 24.04 a Boost: Installing Linux Kernel 6.14 the Easy Way

Upgrading to Linux Kernel 6.14 will help you get things done better, including faster performance, improved hardware capabilities, new features, and fixes. Consider this upgrade if you are looking to get the best out of your system, making the process to install Linux Kernel 6.14 on Ubuntu 24.04 worthwhile.

Note: Before you start updating the Linux Kernel process on Ubuntu 24.04, be sure to back up your data, and be ready to switch back to your previous kernel just in case.

Now log in to your server as a non-root user with sudo privileges and choose one of the following methods to install Linux Kernel 6.14 on Ubuntu 24.04.

Check Default Kernel Version on Ubuntu 24.04

First, you must run the system update and upgrade with the following command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Once you are done, use the following command to check the current Linux kernel on Ubuntu 24.04:

uname -mrs

**<mark>Output</mark>**
Linux 6.8.0-31-generic x86_64

Once you are done, proceed to the next step to install Kernel 6.14 from the command line.

Method 1. Install Linux Kernel 6.14 on Ubuntu 24.04 From Command Line

At this point, you must visit the Ubuntu Mainline Kernel PPA and download the necessary .deb files for Kernel 6.14. Here we want to download the amd64 packages by using the following wget command:

Navigate to the tmp directory and run the commands below:

cd /tmp

# sudo wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.14/amd64/linux-headers-6.14.0-061400-generic_6.14.0-061400.202503241442_amd64.deb

# sudo wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.14/amd64/linux-headers-6.14.0-061400_6.14.0-061400.202503241442_all.deb

# sudo wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.14/amd64/linux-image-unsigned-6.14.0-061400-generic_6.14.0-061400.202503241442_amd64.deb

# sudo wget -c https://kernel.ubuntu.com/mainline/v6.14/amd64/linux-modules-6.14.0-061400-generic_6.14.0-061400.202503241442_amd64.deb

Once your downloading packages are completed, run the following command to install them:

sudo apt install ./*.deb -y

Then, run the system update and reboot your server to apply the changes:

# sudo apt update
# sudo reboot

Once you log in, check your Kernel version again, you should see that Kernel 6.14 is installed:

uname -mrs

**<mark>Output</mark>**
Linux 6.14.0-061400-generic x86_64

You can also install Neofetch and print your system specs:

# sudo apt install neofetch -y
# neofetch

Method 2: Use Mainline Kernel Installer To Install Linux Kernel 6.14 (From GUI)

In this method, you can use the mainline kernel installer to get Linux Kernel 6.14 on Ubuntu 24.04. First, add the following PPA repository to your system:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:cappelikan/ppa

Note: This repository contains the Mainline kernel installer.

Then, run the system update and install the mainline kernel installer:

# sudo apt update
# sudo apt install mainline -y

This will download and install the Mainline Kernel Installer on your system. Once installed, you can launch the application from your applications menu.

First, look for “Ubuntu Mainline Kernel Installer” in your applications menu and open it.

Then, browse Available Kernels. The application will display a list of available kernels. You can see the version numbers and select the one you wish to install.

Select your desired kernel version and click the “Install” button. The application will handle the download and installation process for you.

After installation, it’s recommended to reboot your system to apply the changes:

sudo reboot

Once your system restarts, you can verify the installed kernel version by running:

uname -r

This command will display the current kernel version in use.

Note: The Mainline Kernel Installer allows you to manage multiple kernels. You can uninstall older kernels through the application to free up space and keep your system organized.

Temporarily Boot into Default Kernel on Ubuntu 24.04

If you’ve installed a new kernel (like 6.14) and want to go back to Ubuntu’s default kernel, you can do that easily from the command line.

If you plan to boot into the old/default kernel once, follow the steps below:

First, reboot your system with the command below:

sudo reboot

Then, at the GRUB menu (the purple/black screen before Ubuntu boots), press Esc (or Shift, depending on your system) to show the boot menu.

From there, select “Advanced options for Ubuntu” and choose the kernel version you want to boot into (likely the one without “6.14” in it).

Note: This doesn’t uninstall anything—it just lets you boot the older one temporarily.

Permanently Boot Into Default Kernel on Ubuntu 24.04

If you want your system to always boot into the older/default kernel by default, follow the steps below:

First, you must list all installed kernels with the command below:

dpkg --list | grep linux-image

Look for the version you want to set as default (for example: 6.8.0-31-generic).

Then, open the GRUB default config file with your desired text editor like Vi Editor or Nano Editor:

sudo vi /etc/default/grub

Find the GRUB_DEFAULT=0 line and set it to something like this:

GRUB_DEFAULT="Advanced options for Ubuntu>Ubuntu, with Linux 6.8.0-31-generic"

Once you are done, save and close the file. Just make sure the exact text matches the entry you saw in the GRUB menu.

Next, update the Grub Menu with the following command:

sudo update-grub

Finally, reboot your system:

sudo reboot

Now check your kernel version again, and this will permanently boot into your desired kernel version:

uname -r

**<mark>Output</mark>**
6.8.0-31-generic

Remove the Custom Kernel 6.14 From Ubuntu 24.04

If you no longer need the Kernel 6.14, you can easily remove and uninstall it with the following commands:

First, list the installed 6.14 packages with the command below:

dpkg --list | grep 6.14

Then, remove them with the following command:

# cd /tmp
# sudo apt remove linux-image-6.14.* linux-headers-6.14.* linux-modules-6.14.* -y

Finally, update your Grub Menu to apply the changes:

sudo update-grub

Conclusion

At this point, you have learned to install Linux Kernel 6.14 on Ubuntu 24.04 from the CLI and using the mainline kernel installer. Also, you have learned to boot into the default kernel version and uninstall the new Kernel 6.14. This guide provides a straightforward path to install Linux Kernel 6.14 on Ubuntu 24.04.

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FAQs

Alternative Methods to Install Linux Kernel 6.14 on Ubuntu 24.04

While the methods described above are relatively straightforward, here are two alternative approaches to consider when you install Linux Kernel 6.14 on Ubuntu 24.04:

1. Using a Distribution-Specific Kernel Package (If Available)

Sometimes, third-party repositories or even community efforts package newer kernels specifically for Ubuntu. These packages often include necessary drivers and configurations to work seamlessly with the Ubuntu environment. However, such packages aren’t always available for the very latest kernels, and their trustworthiness should be carefully evaluated.

Explanation:

This method relies on pre-built packages that might be tailored for Ubuntu. This can address the driver compatibility issues often faced when using mainline kernels.

Example (Hypothetical):

Let’s assume a repository provides a Kernel 6.14 package for Ubuntu 24.04. The steps would be:

1. Add the Repository:

   sudo add-apt-repository ppa:example-kernel-repo/ubuntu2404

2. Update the Package List:

   sudo apt update

3. Install the Kernel Package:

   sudo apt install linux-generic-6.14

   (Note: linux-generic-6.14 is a hypothetical package name. The actual name will vary depending on the repository.)

4. Reboot:

   sudo reboot

Important Considerations:

• Repository Trust: Only use repositories from trusted sources.
• Package Name: Find the correct package name by searching the repository.
• Dependencies: Ensure all dependencies are met.

2. Building the Kernel from Source

This is the most advanced method, offering the greatest control but also requiring the most expertise. You download the kernel source code directly from kernel.org, configure it to your system’s specifications, compile it, and install it.

Explanation:

Building from source allows you to customize the kernel to your exact hardware and software needs. This can lead to better performance and stability, but it’s a complex and time-consuming process.

Example (Simplified):

1. Download the Kernel Source:

   wget https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v6.x/linux-6.14.tar.xz
   tar xvf linux-6.14.tar.xz
   cd linux-6.14

2. Configure the Kernel:

   • Copy your current kernel’s configuration:

     cp /boot/config-`uname -r` .config

   • Use make menuconfig to customize the configuration (optional, but recommended):

     sudo apt install libncurses5-dev
     make menuconfig

   • Carefully review each option, paying close attention to drivers for your hardware.

3. Compile the Kernel:

   sudo apt install build-essential libssl-dev dwarves flex bison
   make -j$(nproc)

   (Note: -j$(nproc) compiles using all available CPU cores for faster compilation.)

4. Install the Modules:

   sudo make modules_install

5. Install the Kernel:

   sudo make install

6. Update GRUB:

   sudo update-grub

7. Reboot:

   sudo reboot

Important Considerations:

• Dependencies: Ensure you have all necessary build tools installed.
• Configuration: Kernel configuration is crucial. Incorrect settings can lead to system instability or hardware malfunction. Starting with your current kernel’s configuration is a good approach.
• Compilation Time: Compiling a kernel can take a significant amount of time, even on powerful hardware.
• Troubleshooting: Be prepared to troubleshoot errors during compilation or after installation.

By exploring these alternative methods, you can choose the approach that best suits your technical skills and system requirements to install Linux Kernel 6.14 on Ubuntu 24.04. Remember to back up your data before making any kernel modifications.