Solved Why sometimes does a new kernel installation fail?

[johnblackwood1]

Im on linux mint 22/.3 xfce edition on a intel imac with a Intel© Core™ i5-4570R CPU @ 2.70GHz × 4 processer. This happened very recently when i tried to update the kernel to the newest version via update manager. the OS (linux mint) worked fine but when i went to install some games it said something about the kernel. I forgot what it said. Other than that everything works.


Thanks.

Regards
-John

 

[ron.alan]

It's hard to help if you can't recall what the message was. How about trying to install again and then come back with the message here.

 

[Mike-BTU]

Any reason you shouldn't just go back to the previous kernel that worked? That has often been my solution through the years.

New kernels can be buggy, sometimes. So we wait until the developers fix the bugs.

 

[Condobloke]

New kernel does not mean better performance etc etc etc

It usually means that there have been adjustments made to remedy some underlying bug, or to take into account differences made in various distros, etc etc

If your machine is running well, behaving itself etc......you can always upgrade the kernel....BUT ..be sure to Create a Timeshift snapshot before you do, and be prepared to Restore to that snapshot if things go sideways for you.

This was published in July 2025....but the source is impeccable

Linux kernel 6.16 lands with 38 million lines of code

: Mostly minor changes under the hood – a lot of them

www.theregister.com

Not a task for the faint hearted. The fact that few games complained, tell me that the games for the advances made by the new kernel.

A long, but informative, read:

System hacks for advanced Linux Mint users

Easy tips, tweaks and tricks for Linux Mint and Ubuntu, both for beginners and for advanced users. Complete starter's guide with simple how-to's.

easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.com

if you need help to get rid of a kernel, just ask. No problem.

 

[johnblackwood1]

New kernel does not mean better performance etc etc etc

It usually means that there have been adjustments made to remedy some underlying bug, or to take into account differences made in various distros, etc etc

If your machine is running well, behaving itself etc......you can always upgrade the kernel....BUT ..be sure to Create a Timeshift snapshot before you do, and be prepared to Restore to that snapshot if things go sideways for you.

This was published in July 2025....but the source is impeccable

Linux kernel 6.16 lands with 38 million lines of code

: Mostly minor changes under the hood – a lot of them

www.theregister.com

Not a task for the faint hearted. The fact that few games complained, tell me that the games for the advances made by the new kernel.

A long, but informative, read:

System hacks for advanced Linux Mint users

Easy tips, tweaks and tricks for Linux Mint and Ubuntu, both for beginners and for advanced users. Complete starter's guide with simple how-to's.

easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.com

if you need help to get rid of a kernel, just ask. No problem.

thanks this helped alot and yes i do need help removing the failed kernel installation. have an amazing wonderful day

 

[bob466]

What kernel do you have installed ?
Before you do anything...it's always a good idea to know what Kernel you have.

Run this command...

uname -r

I have the latest Kernel with no problems...

 

[Condobloke]

When you boot your pc, does the grub screen show?...it would normally be a black screen with white print.

If it does, when it appears just tap on the down arrow will cause to stop and not proceed further.

If it doesnt appear, shut your pc down and then tap the power on button and begin tapping the shift key as it starts to boot...aprrox one tap per second is enough

That should cause the grub menu to appear

When it does, tap the down arrow to select 'advanced options...tap enter.....arrow down to the kernel you were using before....it is likely the first one below, tap enter.so that your pc continues to boot to that ;known to work ok' kernel.
When the pc is booted, go to update manager click on View....Kernels.

Single click on the 'problem kernel' (which will show 'installed') <<< this is important that the kernel in use should NOT be removed while being used.
Click on remove. Follow the prompts.

if that 'problem' kernel appears in Update Manager again, don't install it....instead right click on it and choose to ignore it.

 

[johnblackwood1]

What kernel do you have installed ?
Before you do anything...it's always a good idea to know what Kernel you have.

Run this command...

uname -r

I have the latest Kernel with no problems...
View attachment 31420
View attachment 31419

i have
6.14.0-37-generic
but i reinstalled linux mint cause wifi stopped working cause i wanted to try kde.
so cause i reinstalled linux its fixed

thanks man have an amazing wonderful good day today and the day ever and the day after and so on

 

[bob466]

i have
6.14.0-37-generic
but i reinstalled linux mint cause wifi stopped working cause i wanted to try kde.
so cause i reinstalled linux its fixed

thanks man have an amazing wonderful good day today and the day ever and the day after and so on

The reason I asked is because when I installed Mint Cinnamon 22.2 on my spare SSD it came with Kernel 6.14 which caused problems especially with my Graphic Card.

So I installed 6.8 which is supported till 2029 and with zero problems.