Home/ Questions/Q 8840
Next
In Process

askthedev.com Latest Questions

Asked: 2024-09-25T21:14:22+05:30 In:

How can I revert to an earlier kernel version in Ubuntu 22.04 LTS?

I’ve been having a bit of a nightmare with my Ubuntu 22.04 LTS setup lately. It all started when I decided to update my system and, of course, that meant getting a new kernel version. At first, I was pretty excited about all the improvements, but it feels like I’ve stepped into a minefield instead. Since the update, my system has been acting weird—random crashes, sluggish performance, and some software that I rely on just won’t play nice anymore.

Now, I’m not exactly a Linux wizard, but I do know the basics. I’ve tried to troubleshoot the issues, but nothing seems to work. I did some digging online and found some threads from other users who mentioned that reverting to an earlier kernel version might be the way to go. But honestly, I’m kind of overwhelmed. I mean, the last thing I want to do is make things worse.

So, here’s where I need some help. How on earth do I revert to an earlier kernel version in Ubuntu 22.04 LTS? I’ve read that there are different ways to do it, like using the GRUB menu or commands in the terminal, but I can’t figure out which method is the best option for someone who’s a bit of a novice like me.

Also, is there a way to make sure that my system doesn’t automatically revert back to this new kernel on the next update? I don’t want to be caught off guard again. I’m really hoping that someone out there has been in the same boat and can walk me through the process like you would explain it to a friend.

Any tips, tricks, or even a simple step-by-step guide would be hugely appreciated. I’m just looking for a little guidance here because I’d love to get my setup back to a stable state without too much hassle. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

Share

    Leave an answer

    You must login to add an answer.

    Need An Account,

    2 Answers


    1. To revert to an earlier kernel version in Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, you can use the GRUB menu, which is a straightforward method for someone who is not very experienced. First, restart your computer and, as it boots, hold down the Shift key (or repeatedly tap the Esc key) to access the GRUB menu. Once there, you should see a list of available kernels. Use the arrow keys to navigate to the kernel version you want to boot into, typically one of the earlier versions that you know was stable. Select it and press Enter to boot into that kernel. This change will only affect the current session, so you can test to see if the older kernel resolves your issues before making it permanent.

      If you find that the older kernel does indeed solve your problems, you can prevent Ubuntu from updating to the problematic kernel in the future. To do this, you’ll want to mark the newer kernel as “held” so that it doesn’t automatically update. You can achieve this using the terminal. Open the terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) and type the following command, replacing `` with the version number of the kernel you wish to hold (for example, 5.15.0-XX-generic): sudo apt-mark hold linux-image-. This will instruct the package manager to ignore updates for this specific kernel, allowing you to maintain a stable environment. You can always unhold a kernel by using the command sudo apt-mark unhold linux-image- if you change your mind later.




    2. Reverting Kernel in Ubuntu 22.04 LTS

      Reverting to an Earlier Kernel Version in Ubuntu 22.04 LTS

      So, it sounds like you’re having a rough time with that new kernel update! No worries, we can get you back on track. Here’s a simple way to revert to an earlier kernel version.

      Using the GRUB Menu

      1. **Restart your computer**. When your computer starts up, hold down the Shift key (for BIOS) or Esc (for UEFI) right after the manufacturer logo disappears. This should bring up the GRUB menu.

      2. In the GRUB menu, you’ll see a list of available kernel versions. Use the arrow keys to scroll through. Look for the kernel version that you were using before the update—it should be something like Linux 5.x.x-xxx-generic.

      3. Highlight the older kernel version and press Enter to boot into it.

      If You Want to Use the Terminal

      If you’re feeling brave, you can also use the terminal. Here’s how:

      1. Open the terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.

      2. Type this command to see the list of installed kernels:

      dpkg --list | grep linux-image

      3. Now, to remove the problematic kernel (the new one), type:

      sudo apt remove linux-image-

      Make sure to replace <your-new-kernel-version> with the actual kernel version you want to remove.

      Preventing Automatic Updates to the Kernel

      To stop your system from automatically updating to the new kernel, you can pin the kernel version. Here’s a quick way to do that:

      1. Open the terminal again.

      2. Type this command:

      sudo nano /etc/apt/preferences.d/99prevent-kernel-update

      3. And then add this code:

      Package: linux-image-*
Pin: version 
Pin-Priority: 1001

      4. Save and exit by pressing Ctrl + X, then Y, and hit Enter.

      Wrapping It Up

      Just reboot, and you should be back to your older kernel. Stay safe with the updates—you can manually check for updates and install them one at a time. That way, if something goes wrong, it’s easier to track down what caused the issue.

      Hope this helps you get back to a stable setup! If you have more questions, feel free to ask!


    Related Questions