New laptops, WiFi adapters, GPUs, storage controllers, and virtualization workloads can need a newer kernel than the one a Mint installation originally booted. To install the HWE kernel on Linux Mint, use the Ubuntu-base metapackage that matches your Mint series, then reboot and verify the running kernel while keeping the older generic kernel available as a fallback.
Linux Mint 22.x uses the Ubuntu 24.04 base, while Linux Mint 21.x uses the Ubuntu 22.04 base. That means HWE package names follow Ubuntu’s kernel lifecycle and enablement stack, but Mint point releases can already ship an HWE kernel on newer installation media.
Install HWE Kernel on Linux Mint
Match your Mint series to the correct HWE metapackage before installing. The Linux Mint release table lists Mint 22.x as Ubuntu Noble based and Mint 21.x as Ubuntu Jammy based, so the package suffix changes by series.
| Linux Mint Series | Ubuntu Base | GA Kernel Track | HWE Kernel Track | HWE Metapackage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux Mint 22.x (Wilma, Xia, Zara, Zena) | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Noble) | 6.8 generic kernel through linux-generic | Rolling 24.04 HWE stack; current amd64 systems track the 6.17 family | linux-generic-hwe-24.04 |
| Linux Mint 21.x (Vanessa, Vera, Victoria, Virginia) | Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (Jammy) | 5.15 generic kernel through linux-generic | 6.8 HWE stack | linux-generic-hwe-22.04 |
Linux Mint 22.2 and 22.3 media already ship an HWE kernel for newer hardware support. Mint’s Linux Mint 22 release notes also warn that the HWE kernel shipped with 22.2 and 22.3 can affect VirtualBox and older NVIDIA 470-series cards. Check your current kernel before installing anything.
Check Your Mint Release and Kernel
Confirm both the Mint release and the active kernel. The Ubuntu codename shows which package suffix applies, while uname -r shows the kernel branch currently running.
. /etc/os-release
printf 'Linux Mint: %s\n' "$PRETTY_NAME"
printf 'Ubuntu base: %s\n' "$UBUNTU_CODENAME"
uname -rExample output from Linux Mint 22.3 after current HWE updates:
Linux Mint: Linux Mint 22.3 Ubuntu base: noble 6.17.0-29-generic
Example output from Linux Mint 21.3 before installing HWE:
Linux Mint: Linux Mint 21.3 Ubuntu base: jammy 5.15.0-179-generic
Check Whether HWE Is Already Installed
List the generic kernel metapackages currently installed. Use the Mint 22.x command on Noble-based systems:
dpkg-query -W -f='${db:Status-Abbrev} ${binary:Package} ${Version}\n' linux-generic linux-generic-hwe-24.04 linux-image-generic linux-image-generic-hwe-24.04 linux-headers-generic linux-headers-generic-hwe-24.04 2>/dev/null | grep '^ii'Mint 22.x systems already on the HWE track show the 24.04 HWE image and header metapackages:
ii linux-generic-hwe-24.04 6.17.0-29.29~24.04.1 ii linux-headers-generic-hwe-24.04 6.17.0-29.29~24.04.1 ii linux-image-generic-hwe-24.04 6.17.0-29.29~24.04.1
Use the Mint 21.x command on Jammy-based systems:
dpkg-query -W -f='${db:Status-Abbrev} ${binary:Package} ${Version}\n' linux-generic linux-generic-hwe-22.04 linux-image-generic linux-image-generic-hwe-22.04 linux-headers-generic linux-headers-generic-hwe-22.04 2>/dev/null | grep '^ii'A Mint 21.x system still on the GA kernel shows the 5.15 generic metapackages instead:
ii linux-generic 5.15.0.179.163 ii linux-headers-generic 5.15.0.179.163 ii linux-image-generic 5.15.0.179.163
Update APT Metadata
Refresh package metadata before installing or upgrading a kernel metapackage:
sudo apt updateThese commands use
sudobecause kernel installation changes system packages and boot entries. If your account is not configured for administrative commands, set up sudo access with the Linux Mint sudoers instructions before continuing.
Install HWE Kernel for Linux Mint 22.x
On Linux Mint 22.x, install the Ubuntu 24.04 HWE metapackage. APT reports a no-op if the package is already installed and current.
sudo apt install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-24.04After installation, verify the installed metapackage version and the current candidate:
apt-cache policy linux-generic-hwe-24.04linux-generic-hwe-24.04:
Installed: 6.17.0-29.29~24.04.1
Candidate: 6.17.0-29.29~24.04.1
Version table:
*** 6.17.0-29.29~24.04.1 500
500 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu noble-updates/main amd64 Packages
500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu noble-security/main amd64 Packages
Install HWE Kernel for Linux Mint 21.x
On Linux Mint 21.x, check the Ubuntu 22.04 HWE candidate before installing. A Mint 21.x system that has not installed HWE yet shows Installed: (none) with a 6.8 candidate.
apt-cache policy linux-generic-hwe-22.04linux-generic-hwe-22.04:
Installed: (none)
Candidate: 6.8.0-117.117~22.04.1
Version table:
6.8.0-117.117~22.04.1 500
500 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-updates/main amd64 Packages
6.8.0-111.111~22.04.1 500
500 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-security/main amd64 Packages
Install the HWE metapackage to move from the 5.15 GA kernel track to the 6.8 HWE track.
sudo apt install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-22.04The metapackage pulls in the matching image and headers. On Mint 21.x, APT installs linux-image-generic-hwe-22.04, linux-headers-generic-hwe-22.04, the versioned 6.8 kernel image, and the matching header tree.
Reboot and Verify the HWE Kernel
Kernel packages install beside the running kernel. Reboot after APT installs or upgrades a kernel image, then check the active kernel from the next session.
sudo rebootAfter the system starts again, verify the active kernel and the matching header path:
uname -r
test -d /usr/src/linux-headers-$(uname -r) && printf 'headers=present\n'Mint 22.x HWE currently reports a 6.17-family generic kernel on amd64 systems:
6.17.0-29-generic headers=present
Mint 21.x HWE reports a 6.8-family generic kernel:
6.8.0-117-generic headers=present
Choose Between GA, HWE, and Custom Kernels
The HWE kernel is still an Ubuntu-managed kernel stack, so it is usually the first newer-kernel option to try on Mint. Custom kernels are better left for workloads where latency, desktop responsiveness, or upstream kernel testing matters more than staying on Mint’s normal support path.
| Kernel Option | Update Source | Best For | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| GA generic kernel | Linux Mint and Ubuntu base repositories | Stable hardware, older NVIDIA 470-series cards, VirtualBox setups affected by newer HWE kernels | Older hardware-support branch on Mint 21.x and Mint 22.x GA installs |
| HWE generic kernel | Ubuntu base repositories through APT | Recent laptops, newer AMD/Intel platforms, WiFi, storage, and graphics hardware that needs a newer supported kernel | More kernel movement than GA; third-party modules may need attention after updates |
| Liquorix Kernel on Linux Mint | Launchpad PPA | Desktop latency, audio production, and interactive workloads | Third-party kernel source and Secure Boot caveats |
| XanMod Kernel on Linux Mint | XanMod repository | Gaming, performance testing, and CPU-targeted desktop kernels | Third-party repository, branch choice, and custom patch behavior |
If the kernel switch is mainly for graphics, remember that the kernel is only one layer. AMD and Intel graphics may also need newer Mesa packages, while NVIDIA systems depend on the proprietary driver branch matching the active kernel. Use the Linux Mint guide to upgrade Mesa drivers on Linux Mint when the Mesa stack is the real blocker.
Update or Reinstall the HWE Kernel on Linux Mint
HWE updates arrive through normal APT package updates. Running the install command again is also safe because the metapackage either upgrades to the current dependency set or reports that it is already current.
Update HWE on Linux Mint 22.x
sudo apt update
sudo apt install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-24.04Update HWE on Linux Mint 21.x
sudo apt update
sudo apt install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-22.04Reboot if APT installs a new kernel image. If the running kernel still shows the older version afterward, open GRUB’s advanced options at boot and choose the newest generic HWE entry, or check whether a previous boot selection was saved.
Revert From HWE Kernel to GA Kernel
Rollback needs two separate steps: make sure the GA kernel metapackage is installed, then boot a GA kernel before removing HWE packages. Do not run broad kernel cleanup while the HWE kernel is the active result from uname -r.
Install the GA Kernel Metapackage
Install the GA tracking package first. On Mint 22.x, this restores the 6.8 GA metapackage if the system only has HWE tracking installed. On Mint 21.x, it confirms the 5.15 GA metapackage is still present.
sudo apt install --install-recommends linux-genericReboot and use GRUB’s advanced options to select a GA kernel before removing HWE. The active kernel should match one of these patterns:
| Linux Mint Series | GA Kernel Pattern Before Cleanup |
|---|---|
| Linux Mint 22.x | 6.8.0-*-generic |
| Linux Mint 21.x | 5.15.0-*-generic |
uname -rRemove HWE Tracking Packages on Linux Mint 22.x
After booting a GA kernel on Mint 22.x, remove the 24.04 HWE tracking packages:
sudo apt remove --purge linux-generic-hwe-24.04 linux-image-generic-hwe-24.04 linux-headers-generic-hwe-24.04Remove HWE Tracking Packages on Linux Mint 21.x
After booting a GA kernel on Mint 21.x, remove the 22.04 HWE tracking packages:
sudo apt remove --purge linux-generic-hwe-22.04 linux-image-generic-hwe-22.04 linux-headers-generic-hwe-22.04Preview and Clean Unused HWE Packages
Preview automatic cleanup before confirming it. Continue only if APT lists old HWE image, module, header, or tool packages that you no longer need.
sudo apt-get -s autoremove --purgeIf the preview is limited to unused HWE packages, run the cleanup:
sudo apt autoremove --purgeReboot once more and verify that the GA kernel is still active:
sudo rebootuname -rTroubleshoot HWE Kernel on Linux Mint
HWE Package Has No Installation Candidate
A missing candidate usually means the wrong package suffix was used, APT metadata is stale, or the system is LMDE instead of Ubuntu-based Linux Mint. Confirm the Ubuntu base first:
. /etc/os-release
printf '%s\n' "$PRETTY_NAME"
printf '%s\n' "$UBUNTU_CODENAME"Use linux-generic-hwe-24.04 only when UBUNTU_CODENAME is noble. Use linux-generic-hwe-22.04 only when it is jammy. LMDE follows Debian kernel packaging and does not use Ubuntu HWE package names.
Reboot Still Shows the Old Kernel
If the HWE packages installed but uname -r still shows the old GA kernel, first confirm the HWE metapackage is installed:
apt-cache policy linux-generic-hwe-24.04 linux-generic-hwe-22.04Then reboot and open GRUB’s advanced options. Choose the newest generic entry that matches your HWE series: 6.17 or newer for current Mint 22.x HWE, or 6.8 for Mint 21.x HWE.
Headers Are Missing After Reboot
Missing headers break DKMS-based drivers and virtualization modules. Check the header path for the running kernel:
ls -d /usr/src/linux-headers-$(uname -r)If the path is missing, reinstall the HWE metapackage for your Mint series so APT restores both the image and header tracking packages.
sudo apt install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-24.04Use linux-generic-hwe-22.04 instead on Mint 21.x.
NVIDIA or VirtualBox Breaks After HWE
Proprietary drivers and VirtualBox modules can fail after a kernel branch change because their modules must rebuild for the new kernel. Start by confirming that the running kernel has headers, then reinstall or reconfigure the affected package from the source you use.
uname -r
ls -d /usr/src/linux-headers-$(uname -r)For NVIDIA systems, check the Mint Driver Manager or follow the Linux Mint NVIDIA driver instructions. For VirtualBox, confirm whether the Mint repository package or Oracle package source owns your installation before reinstalling; the VirtualBox on Linux Mint guide explains both package paths.
System Does Not Boot After HWE Installation
Use the older generic kernel from GRUB if the HWE kernel does not boot cleanly:
- Restart the computer and open the GRUB menu with Shift on BIOS systems or Esc on many UEFI systems.
- Open the advanced options submenu, which may be labeled for Linux Mint or Ubuntu.
- Select a previous generic kernel, such as a 6.8 GA entry on Mint 22.x or a 5.15 GA entry on Mint 21.x.
- After the system boots, follow the rollback section to remove HWE tracking packages safely.
Conclusion
Linux Mint is running the Ubuntu-base HWE kernel with matching headers, and the older generic kernel remains available as a fallback from GRUB. Keep HWE when it solves a hardware or driver problem; return to the GA kernel when VirtualBox, NVIDIA, or a stable workstation depends on the older branch.
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