The Hardware Enablement (HWE) Kernel delivers newer kernel versions and improved hardware support on Ubuntu LTS releases without upgrading to a new Ubuntu version. Desktop installations default to the HWE stack automatically, while server installations stick with the General Availability (GA) kernel unless you explicitly install HWE. The HWE stack follows Ubuntu’s Rolling Update Model, backporting drivers, performance improvements, and hardware compatibility from newer Ubuntu releases into your stable LTS base.
This guide covers installing the HWE kernel on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and 22.04 LTS, checking your current kernel version, understanding when HWE provides value versus the standard GA kernel, and reverting to GA when needed. You’ll learn when HWE makes sense for your use case (new graphics cards, WiFi chipsets, gaming performance, Ryzen/Intel latest-gen CPUs) and troubleshooting steps when the HWE kernel doesn’t boot.
HWE Kernel vs Other Ubuntu Kernel Options
Ubuntu offers multiple kernel options beyond the default GA kernel, each targeting different use cases. Understanding the differences helps you select the kernel that matches your hardware requirements, performance goals, and stability needs.
| Kernel Option | Primary Focus | Best For | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| HWE Kernel | Hardware enablement and LTS support | Desktop systems, recent hardware on LTS releases, balanced stability with newer drivers | Slightly more frequent updates than GA kernel, still conservative compared to performance kernels |
| Zabbly Kernel | Mainline upstream tracking with minimal patches | Bleeding-edge hardware support, kernel developers, testing upstream features before Ubuntu integration | Rapid update cycle, less testing than Ubuntu kernels, potential instability |
| XanMod Kernel | Performance optimization and gaming | Gaming rigs, multimedia workstations, AMD Ryzen/Intel latest-gen CPUs, Wine/Proton users | Custom patches may conflict with some hardware, Secure Boot unsupported |
| Liquorix Kernel | Desktop responsiveness and low latency | Audio production, real-time applications, desktop users prioritizing responsiveness over server stability | Optimized for desktop workloads only, Secure Boot unsupported, limited to x86_64 |
The HWE kernel strikes a balance between stability and hardware support, making it ideal for desktop LTS installations that need newer drivers without full distribution upgrades. Zabbly tracks mainline kernel development with minimal modifications, delivering upstream features and hardware support as they land in stable releases. XanMod applies extensive performance patches targeting gaming and high-performance computing, while Liquorix focuses on desktop responsiveness and multimedia workloads with low-latency optimizations.
Production servers should favor Ubuntu’s default GA kernel or the HWE kernel for tested stability and enterprise support. Performance-focused kernels like XanMod and Liquorix trade thorough testing for newer performance patches, making them better suited for workstations, development machines, and non-critical systems where you can tolerate occasional instability in exchange for performance gains.
This guide covers Ubuntu 22.04 LTS and 24.04 LTS installations. The HWE kernel packages are version-specific to each LTS release and follow Ubuntu’s Rolling Update Model. Commands shown work identically on both supported LTS releases.
When to Use the HWE Kernel
Consider whether your use case actually benefits from newer kernel features before installing HWE. The HWE stack trades the absolute stability of the GA kernel for better hardware support and performance optimizations.
Scenarios Where HWE Makes Sense
- New hardware support: Recent graphics cards (AMD RX 7000 series, NVIDIA RTX 4000), WiFi 6E/7 chipsets, or latest-generation AMD Ryzen/Intel Core processors that need drivers not present in older kernels
- Gaming and graphics performance: Mesa updates, better Wayland support, improved GPU scheduling, and frame pacing fixes arrive faster through HWE. For AMD and Intel graphics, consider upgrading Mesa drivers alongside the HWE kernel for better frame rates and reduced latency
- Desktop systems: Ubuntu desktop installations default to HWE automatically because hardware compatibility matters more than absolute kernel stability for workstations
- Development machines: Testing against newer kernel APIs, container runtime improvements, or filesystem enhancements (Btrfs, ZFS module updates)
- Network performance tuning: Newer kernels include improvements to TCP congestion control and network stack optimizations; consider enabling BBR for better throughput on high-latency connections
When to Stick With the GA Kernel
Several scenarios favor staying with the GA kernel:
- Production servers: Mission-critical systems benefit from the extended testing and longer support window of GA kernels
- Older hardware: If your hardware already works perfectly on the GA kernel, HWE adds no value and introduces unnecessary change risk
- Compliance requirements: Some industries require frozen kernel versions for certification or audit purposes
- Minimal change tolerance: Systems where “if it works, don’t touch it” is policy
Ubuntu server installations default to the GA kernel and provide HWE as an optional install. Desktop installations automatically track the HWE stack. Some Dell, HP, and Lenovo machines ship with separate OEM kernels maintained by hardware vendors that follow a different update cadence than standard HWE or GA kernels.
Check Your Current Kernel Version
Check which kernel version your system currently runs to verify whether the HWE installation succeeds and whether you’re already running an HWE kernel.
Open a terminal with Ctrl + Alt + T and run:
uname -rThe output shows your kernel version:
5.15.0-119-generic 6.8.0-48-generic
The first example indicates the 5.15 LTS kernel (Ubuntu 22.04 GA), while the second shows the 6.8 HWE kernel backported from Ubuntu 24.04. Ubuntu desktop installations typically show an HWE kernel by default, while server installations show the GA kernel unless you explicitly installed HWE.
Install HWE Kernel for Ubuntu 24.04
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Noble Numbat) ships with the 6.8 kernel as its GA kernel. The HWE stack for 24.04 tracks newer kernels from subsequent Ubuntu releases as they become available through the Rolling Update Model.
Install the HWE Kernel Package
Install the HWE kernel metapackage:
sudo apt install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-24.04The --install-recommends flag ensures the package manager pulls in recommended packages like firmware updates and related kernel modules. Reboot your system after installation completes:
sudo rebootVerify the HWE Kernel Installation
After your system restarts, verify the kernel version:
uname -rYou should see a kernel version corresponding to the HWE series for 24.04:
6.8.0-49-generic
The version number confirms the HWE kernel installation succeeded. As newer Ubuntu releases become available, the HWE metapackage will automatically pull updated kernel versions during your regular system updates.
Install HWE Kernel for Ubuntu 22.04
Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (Jammy Jellyfish) ships with the 5.15 kernel as its GA kernel. The HWE stack provides the 6.8 kernel backported from Ubuntu 24.04, along with updated drivers and firmware.
Install the HWE Kernel Package
Install the HWE kernel metapackage:
sudo apt install --install-recommends linux-generic-hwe-22.04Reboot to activate the new kernel:
sudo rebootVerify the HWE Kernel Installation
After your system restarts, verify the kernel version:
uname -rYou should see version 6.8 or newer, confirming the HWE kernel installation succeeded:
6.8.0-48-generic
Revert From HWE Kernel to GA Kernel
If the HWE kernel causes hardware incompatibilities, performance issues, or you need the stability of the GA kernel for production systems, you can revert to the standard kernel.
Remove the HWE Kernel Package
Remove every HWE metapackage for your Ubuntu version so APT stops tracking the rolling kernel. On Ubuntu 24.04, run:
sudo apt remove linux-generic-hwe-24.04 linux-image-generic-hwe-24.04 linux-headers-generic-hwe-24.04For Ubuntu 22.04:
sudo apt remove linux-generic-hwe-22.04 linux-image-generic-hwe-22.04 linux-headers-generic-hwe-22.04Install the GA kernel metapackage to ensure the standard kernel and headers stay installed:
sudo apt install linux-genericClean up any leftover HWE kernel images and modules APT installed automatically as dependencies:
sudo apt autoremove --purgeReboot your system:
sudo rebootVerify the GA Kernel
After the reboot, verify you’re running the GA kernel:
uname -rThe version output should match your Ubuntu release’s GA kernel:
- Ubuntu 24.04: 6.8.x series
- Ubuntu 22.04: 5.15.x series
Troubleshooting HWE Kernel Issues
HWE Kernel Won’t Boot
If your system fails to boot after installing the HWE kernel, use GRUB to select the previous kernel. When the GRUB menu appears during boot, select “Advanced options for Ubuntu” and choose the older kernel version. After successfully booting, remove the HWE kernel using the commands in the revert section above.
Hardware Not Recognized
If specific hardware stops working after HWE installation, check for missing firmware:
dmesg | grep -i firmwareLook for lines indicating missing firmware files:
[ 2.456789] iwlwifi 0000:03:00.0: Direct firmware load for iwlwifi-9260-th-b0-gf-a0-59.ucode failed with error -2
Install missing firmware packages from the linux-firmware package or hardware-specific repositories. For WiFi cards, search for firmware packages matching your hardware model.
Check Which Kernel Is Actually Running
Sometimes the HWE package installs but GRUB still boots the old kernel. Verify the running kernel matches what you installed:
uname -rList all installed kernels:
dpkg --list | grep linux-imageYou should see output listing multiple kernel versions:
ii linux-image-5.15.0-119-generic 5.15.0-119.129 ii linux-image-6.8.0-48-generic 6.8.0-48.48~22.04.1 ii linux-image-generic-hwe-22.04 6.8.0.48.48~22.04.20
If GRUB defaults to the wrong kernel, update GRUB configuration:
sudo update-grubExpected output shows GRUB detecting all installed kernels:
Sourcing file `/etc/default/grub' Generating grub configuration file ... Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-6.8.0-48-generic Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-6.8.0-48-generic Found linux image: /boot/vmlinuz-5.15.0-119-generic Found initrd image: /boot/initrd.img-5.15.0-119-generic done
Conclusion
The HWE kernel provides newer drivers, performance improvements, and hardware compatibility on Ubuntu LTS releases through backported kernels from later Ubuntu versions. The installation process covers checking your current kernel with uname -r, installing the appropriate HWE metapackage for your Ubuntu version (24.04 or 22.04), and troubleshooting common boot or hardware issues. Your Ubuntu system now runs the latest kernel series while maintaining LTS base stability, delivering better support for recent graphics cards, WiFi chipsets, and gaming performance without a full distribution upgrade. Consider configuring unattended upgrades to keep your HWE kernel automatically updated with security patches.