Install Linux Kernel 6.14 on AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux

This guide from the Orcacore website will show you how to install Linux Kernel 6.14 on AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux. Linux Kernel 6.14 is the latest version of the core software that runs the Linux operating system. It brings better performance, stronger security, support for newer hardware, and many bug fixes. Using it in AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux can make the system faster, more secure, and compatible with modern devices.

Proceed to the rest of the article to complete the Linux Kernel 6.14 installation on AlmaLinux 8/9 and Rocky Linux 8/9.

Install Linux Kernel 6.14 on AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux Using ElRepo

To complete the guide steps, you must have access to your server as a non-root user with sudo privileges. Then, follow the steps below to add ELRepo on your server and start the Linux Kernel 6.14 setup.

Step 1. Check Current Linux Kernel Version

The first step is to verify your default Linux kernel version on AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux. To do this, you can run the following command:

uname -msr

In your output, you will see something similar to this:

Example Output
Linux 5.14.0-503.16.1.el9_5.x86_64 x86_64

Now update your local packages with the following command and proceed to the next steps:

sudo dnf update -y

Step 2. Add ELRepo To AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux

To install the Linux kernel 6.14, you must add ElRepo to your AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux server. This third-party repository offers you the latest available versions of the Linux Kernel. To add ELRepo, run the commands below:

For AlmaLinux9 and Rocky Linux 9 Use: 

sudo dnf install https://www.elrepo.org/elrepo-release-9.el9.elrepo.noarch.rpm 

For AlmaLinux 8 and Rocky Linux 8 Use:

sudo dnf install https://www.elrepo.org/elrepo-release-8.el8.elrepo.noarch.rpm

Then, enable ELRepo with the command below:

sudo dnf config-manager --enable elrepo-kernel

Note: In AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux version 8, you may get a db5 error while adding ELRepo. To fix the issue, you can run the following commands and then add the ELRepo:

# sudo dnf upgrade --refresh rpm glibc
# sudo rm /var/lib/rpm/.rpm.lock
# sudo dnf upgrade dnf
# sudo dnf install https://www.elrepo.org/elrepo-release-8.el8.elrepo.noarch.rpm

Step 3. List Available Linux Kernels Using ELRepo

At this step, you can list available Linux kernels by using the ELRepo. To do this, run the command below:

sudo dnf list available --disablerepo='*' --enablerepo=elrepo-kernel

In your output, you should see:

As you saw, Linux Kernel 6.14 is available through the latest mainline release.

Step 4. Install Linux Kernel 6.14 with ELRepo

Now you can use the command below to install Linux Kernel 6.14 on your server:

sudo dnf --enablerepo=elrepo-kernel install kernel-ml -y

Or you can directly use the version specified:

sudo dnf install kernel-ml-6.14.7-1.el9.elrepo.x86_64  -y

In your output, you will see:

At this point, you need to reboot your server:

sudo reboot

You’ll be presented with the GRUB or boot menu. Use the arrow keys to select the Linux kernel 6.14 you have just installed, then press Enter. Your operating system should boot normally.

Step 5. Set Linux Kernel 6.14 as Default Kernel Version

At this point, you can set your default kernel version to Linux Kernel 6.14. It means every time you boot it will automatically boot your Linux Kernel 6.14.

Open the Grub file with your desired text editor, like Vi Editor or Nano Editor:

sudo vi /etc/default/grub

Once the file opens, look for the line that says GRUB_DEFAULT=X, and change it to GRUB_DEFAULT=0. This line will instruct the boot loader to default to the first kernel on the list, which is the Linux Kernel 6.14.

Save the file, and then type the following command in the terminal to recreate the kernel configuration:

sudo grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/grub2/grub.cfg

Output
Generating grub configuration file ...
Adding boot menu entry for UEFI Firmware Settings ...
done

Reboot your server again:

sudo reboot

Verify that the boot loader is set to load the Linux kernel 6.14 by default on AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux:

uname -msr

In your output, you should see:

Output
Linux 6.14.7-1.el9.elrepo.x86_64 x86_64

Conclusion

At this point, you have learned to add the ELRepo repository to your server and install Linux Kernel 6.14, which is the mainline release on AlmaLinux and Rocky, also you have learned to set it as the default kernel version. Hope you enjoy it. Please subscribe to us on Facebook, X, and YouTube.

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