How to Install and Upgrade to a New Kernel on Linux Mint

Last Updated: December 18, 2021

Updating the kernel in Linux can give you the latest drivers, features, fixes, and other critical updates. If it's your first time updating the kernel in Linux Mint, don't worry—we'll walk you through the process step-by-step.

Steps

1
Check which kernel you have by running the following command
- Type/Copy/Paste: uname -a
  - This should print the version of the kernel that you are using make a note of it.
2
Then you will want to check which kernel is newly available at http://www.kernel.org.
- Make a note of the latest stable kernel. For example, the website will tell you which is a stable kernel. You should always select the stablest kernel in order to make sure your system doesn't crash and burn with a research or development kernel.
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3
Make sure you know whether your Linux operating system is a 32-bit or 64-bit. You can find this information out by opening up a terminal and typing the following.
- Type/Copy/Paste: file /sbin/init
  - this will inform you about the bit version of the operating system, whether it is 32-bit or 64-bit
4
Download the following files which correspond to your system. In this example we will simulate installing/upgrading stable Linux kernel 3.10.4 for a 32-bit and 64-bit system.
5
Understand that nevertheless Linux Mint is based upon Ubuntu Linux so point your browser towards http://kernel.ubuntu.com/~kernel-ppa/mainline/
- Select the folder that contains the latest stable kernel and download the following files. You may have to scroll down a long list of folders until you find the correct folder. In this case we will select the /v3.10.4-saucy/ folder.
6
Try using Linux-Kernel-3.10.4 stable. In order to perform the installation and upgrade, you will need to download three important files.
- 32-bit
  - Download these three files if you are on a 32-bit Linux Mint operating system.
- linux-headers-3.10.4-031004-generic_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_i386.deb
- linux-headers-3.10.4-031004_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_all.deb
- linux-image-3.10.4-031004-generic_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_i386.deb
- 64-bit
  - Download these three files if you are on a 64-bit Linux Mint operating system.
- linux-headers-3.10.4-031004-generic_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_amd64.deb
- linux-headers-3.10.4-031004_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_all.deb
- linux-image-3.10.4-031004-generic_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_amd64.deb
7
Create folder by running the following commands
- Type/Copy/Paste: mkdir Linux-Kernel-3.10.4-Upgrade
- Type/Copy/Paste: cd /home/"your_user_name"/Downloads
8
Follow the 32-bit Instructions:
- Copy the following files to your Linux-Kernel-3.10.4-Upgrade folder, using the following command below.
  - Type/Copy/Paste: cp -r linux-headers-3.10.4-031004-generic_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_i386.deb /home/"your_user_name"/Linux-Kernel-3.10.4-Upgrade
  - Type/Copy/Paste: cp -r linux-headers-3.10.4-031004_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_all.deb /home/"your_user_name"/Linux-Kernel-3.10.4-Upgrade
  - Type/Copy/Paste: cp -r linux-image-3.10.4-031004-generic_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_i386.deb /home/"your_user_name"/Linux-Kernel-3.10.4-Upgrade
9
Follow the 64-bit Instructions:
- Copy the following files to your Linux-Kernel-3.10.4-Upgrade folder, using the following command below
  - Type/Copy/Paste: cp -r linux-headers-3.10.4-031004-generic_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_amd64.deb /home/"your_user_name"/Linux-Kernel-3.10.4-Upgrade
  - Type/Copy/Paste: cp -r linux-headers-3.10.4-031004_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_all.deb /home/"your_user_name"/Linux-Kernel-3.10.4-Upgrade
  - Type/Copy/Paste: cp -r linux-image-3.10.4-031004-generic_3.10.4-031004.201307282043_amd64.deb /home/"your_user_name"/Linux-Kernel-3.10.4-Upgrade
10
Type/Copy/Paste: cd /home/"your_user_name"/Linux-Kernel-3.10.4
- this will change you into your Linux-Kernel-3.10.4 upgrade folder
11
Type/Copy/Paste: sudo -s dpkg -i *.deb
- this command will install all the kernel deb packages
12
Type/Copy/Paste: sudo -s update-grub
- This command will update your GNU GRUB bootloader letting your system know you have installed a new kernel and to boot this newly installed kernel
13
Reboot your Linux Mint operating system with your newly installed kernel and log back in and run the following command below.
14
Check to see if the installation was successful by typing the following command.
- Type/Copy/Paste: uname -a
  - This command should display your new kernel

Community Q&A

Question

Does this work on a phone?

Living Concrete

Top Answerer

No. Linux Mint is not a phone operating system. It is intended for desktop machines and laptops only.
Question

Why are kernels necessary for Linux?

Community Answer

All operating systems have kernels, however Linux gives you the ability to update them on your own. A kernel is used to convert binary into electrical signals, so that your cpu knows what to do.
Question

Can I delete the Linux-Update folder after rebooting, or does it have to stay?

Dewey Spencer

Community Answer

Yes, you could actually delete that folder after step 11. Once you use the "sudo -s dpkg ..." command, you've unpacked the .deb packages, and the contents are now installed in their respective locations. It's probably wise to keep them around until after you've confirmed everything has worked though.