2d ago

No new kernel versions listed for update

I am running Linux Mint 22 with Cinnamon v6.2.9 on kernel v6.8.0-53-generic and would like to upgrade to a newer kernel. I tried via the update Manager, but the newest kernel listed is the one already in use and I am wondering why?

Are the kernels listed based on my hardware?
Is my Cinnamon version too old for newer kernels?
Is my Mint Version too old for newer kernels?
Do I need to update my BIOS? I was too scared to do that in the past three years I owned my system.

Here are my specs:

CPU AMD Ryzen 7 5800x
GPU nVidia GTX 1060 6GB
16 GB RAM @ 3600mHz
MoBo MSI B550 A-Pro

I quite new to Linux and don't really know what I am doing. Therefore, if you need any other information I'll be happy to provide it.

12 comments

Is there a particular reason that you want to update your kernel? Generally, the best idea as a new user is to stick with the default kernel that your distro provides What Stable Kernel Should I Use. Given your hardware, I'd expect that kernel 6.8 should work fine for you.
- I am upgrading my GPU soon, and wanted to prepared, if I'd need to upgrade kernel for new drivers. Flirted with an intel GPU for a bit and read that 6.11(?) was recommended. But I decided to got AMD so, that may be unnecessary now.
  
  Makes sense. But for an Arc B580 you'd probably want 6.12 or newer (according to https://www.phoronix.com/review/intel-arc-b580-gpu-compute). Unfortunately Linux Mint is not that great for running the very latest hardware (and especially GPUs).

tl;dr Run sudo apt install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-24.04 in the terminal to get the latest kernel version available (v6.11.x)
Linux Mint uses whatever kernel the latest Ubuntu LTS (24.04) is using which happens to be v6.8.x. Ubuntu LTS and thus Linux Mint will by default remain on this kernel version for two years after its release i.e. until the release of the next major version of Ubuntu LTS. This is for stability (hence the LTS moniker - Long Term Stable). You do get security updates and fixes in point releases of the kernel.
So yes kernel versions are tied to your Linux Mint version. But Ubuntu also offers newer kernel versions, however those will be less stable so are not recommended unless you have some hardware that doesn't work with your current kernel version. Just run sudo apt install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-24.04 in the terminal which will install v6.11.x. This will also install newer versions of drivers (mesa) and other related stuff. Note that this kernel version is not fixed, you will get updated to a newer major kernel version every 6 months.
*And if you have an Nvidia GPU, you would also want to install the Nvidia driver for the newer kernel. I think Mint provides an app for that (drivers or something).
- Linux Mint switched to the HWE kernel with version 22. Theferore, the kernel should be updated to 6.11 with the release of Ubuntu 24.04.2 (planned in a week).

Mint is based on Ubuntu, both of which are versioned release distributions. The idea behind versioned releases is that the kernel and a lot of the software are all chosen and tested to work well together. It gives the user a system that won't change much for several years. Rather than getting the latest and greatest, you get a known, relatively static set that works smoothly and gets security/stability updates rather than big upgrades. Typically, distributions like Mint only get minor security updates to the chosen kernel during their lifetime. You'll see additional patches to kernel 6.8, but nothing beyond that.
To get a newer kernel, the safets option is to wait until Mint 23 gets released and do a full upgrade to the new version of Mint. Along with the kernel, other pieces of the operating system will get a bump to much newer versions. Mint gives you the option to try newer kernels, but this is less stable and could break your system.
There are other types of Linux distributions that ship new versions of the kernel much more regularly. Rolling releases (to one extent or another) update the kernel and other software shortly after the new code is available and tested.

You only see what is available as the targeted package for your release version. You don't normally have the option to install any version you want.
On Ubuntu based systems, you install different versions built from the Mainline Kernel tools.
- mainline does not work on mint (at least on my end). it has failed to install any kernel, for like the last year.
  
  It works on any Ubuntu based distribution, though YMMV may vary because it's just the kernel packages.
  You probably have some modules that fail to build on the install trigger because it doesn't include the dev headers. Nvidia drivers are usually the most obvious culprit.

... Or you learn how to download, configure, build and deploy your kernel build...
Can be fun!

12 comments