You want to install a new kernel on Linux.
You want to install a new kernel on Linux.
I'm wondering if the latest Linux kernel release and the distros using it are causing more instability lately. I noticed some discussions online about different issues people are experiencing with their systems after installing various updates. I haven't updated my Pop-OS yet, and I haven't seen any problems on my computer. Some users reported problems like crashes after every reboot, a monitor not displaying properly, and limited output speeds on certain ports. More details are available in the links provided.
Occasional issues can arise during kernel upgrades, but there’s no clear sign they’re caused by the changes. Various factors might lead to these problems separately, unrelated to the kernel itself.
It's not possible to tell from these posts alone. You should review the specific distribution newsletters for any reported issues with the update.
Different distributions often employ various kernel versions, which might not always include updates tailored to that distribution. Generally, Ubuntu doesn't rely on the newest kernel but occasionally applies fixes and drivers from newer releases. Therefore, problems could be specific to Ubuntu since Pop is built on it.
Systems maintain a minimum of one older kernel version installed, ensuring you can't simply upgrade without switching the entire system. This means you'll always have at least two kernels if you don't manually remove the previous one later. If issues seem linked to a recent kernel release, you can boot from the older version. On distributions without dual-booting, the GRUB menu may be concealed—press and hold Shift to access it, then choose the earlier kernel via the Advanced options menu.
Drivers usually come from the kernel updates. These issues can stem from any conceivable cause. For instance, a library change might go unnoticed by developers working on a desktop environment. Similarly, kernel modifications can affect drivers too. It's possible that certain kernel modules—like ZFS—aren't fully synchronized with the latest kernel version during an update. This mismatch can lead to missing functionality, such as a touchpad not working on a laptop. The best way to resolve these problems is by examining the logs.