If you’re using a Linux system like Ubuntu, then the kernel is constantly being updated and improved. That’s why it’s a good idea to try to keep the kernel as up-to-date as possible to reduce the risk of security flaws. However, you may find that upgrading to the latest Ubuntu kernel causes things to go wrong on your system. If this happens, don’t panic—you can easily turn things around. Here’s how to downgrade the kernel in Ubuntu.
What is a Kernel?
The kernel is the core of your operating system. It’s the go-between that allows your software and applications to talk to your computer hardware. Your kernel is in charge of some vital processes, including managing your system memory and granting processes access to the CPU. All modern operating systems (including Windows, Linux, and macOS) use a kernel to allow your hardware and software to work together. As with almost all computer software, your kernel is constantly being updated and improved. When flaws or security vulnerabilities are discovered, newer versions of the kernel are released to try to fix these issues. That’s why keeping your kernel upgraded regularly is a good way to keep your system running smoothly and securely. Sometimes, however, the latest upgrade to your kernel may cause issues, when the previous version was running just fine. If this is the case, you’ll probably want to downgrade the kernel to keep your computer running smoothly.
How to Boot into an Older Kernel in Ubuntu
Ubuntu has a useful feature that can be a real lifesaver if you update your kernel and things start going wrong. By accessing the GRUB menu when you boot into Ubuntu, you can opt to boot using a previously installed kernel, rather than using the one you’ve just updated to. This allows you to remove the updated kernel if it’s causing issues so that you can boot normally without having to select a different kernel. To boot into an older kernel in Ubuntu:
How to Remove a Kernel in Ubuntu
Once you’ve booted using an older kernel, you can delete the updated kernel that was causing the issues. Doing so means that the next time you boot, Ubuntu will use an earlier kernel instead. This should remove any issues that the upgraded kernel was causing. In order to remove a specific kernel, you’ll need to find its exact name first. To remove a kernel in Ubuntu:
How to Downgrade the Kernel in Ubuntu using a GUI Tool
If you prefer, you can use a GUI tool to install, upgrade, and downgrade your Linux kernel. The Ukuu tool has historically been a good choice, but this is now a paid app, so we won’t recommend it. Instead, there’s a fork of Ukuu called Mainline that does the same thing for free, so that’s what we’ll be using in this example. To downgrade the kernel in Ubuntu using Mainline:
Improve Your Ubuntu System
Knowing how to downgrade the kernel in Ubuntu can be a useful way to take a step back if your latest upgrade is causing issues. Remember that it’s always better to use a more recent kernel version, as older versions may have known flaws that were patched in later releases. But if the most recent kernel isn’t working for you, downgrading may be able to fix your problems. As an Ubuntu user, there are plenty of other useful things you should know. You can learn how to install Microsoft Teams on Ubuntu if you need it for work. You can learn how to change the wallpaper background on Ubuntu to personalize your desktop. And you can even install Ubuntu as a dual-boot with Windows if you want to take advantage of both operating systems. -:~$ dpkg –list|grep linux-image dpkg: error: need an action option Type dpkg –help for help about installing and deinstalling packages [*]; Use ‘apt’ or ‘aptitude’ for user-friendly package management; Type dpkg -Dhelp for a list of dpkg debug flag values; Type dpkg –force-help for a list of forcing options; Type dpkg-deb –help for help about manipulating *.deb files; Comment Name * Email *
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