How to Install XanMod Kernel on Ubuntu Linux

The XanMod Kernel delivers performance-focused optimizations for Ubuntu systems through aggressive CPU-specific tuning, low-latency scheduling improvements, and advanced I/O enhancements. Unlike Ubuntu’s default GA kernel that prioritizes broad compatibility and conservative stability, XanMod targets gaming, multimedia production, and high-performance computing workloads where responsiveness matters more than exhaustive testing. Meanwhile, the kernel incorporates upstream optimizations from Google, Cloudflare, and Intel alongside community-contributed patches for better desktop responsiveness and gaming performance.

This guide covers installing XanMod on Ubuntu through the official repository, selecting the correct CPU-optimized version for your hardware, and verifying the installation. Additionally, you’ll learn how to choose between MAIN, EDGE, LTS, and RT kernel branches based on your stability requirements and update the necessary microcode for Intel or AMD processors.

Choose Your Ubuntu Kernel Option

Ubuntu offers multiple kernel options beyond the default GA kernel, each targeting different use cases. Additionally, 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
XanMod Kernel	Performance optimization and low latency	Gaming, multimedia production, high-performance workstations, users prioritizing responsiveness over maximum stability	Aggressive optimizations sacrifice exhaustive testing, more frequent updates, potential edge-case instability
Liquorix Kernel	Desktop responsiveness and multimedia	Content creators, audio production, desktop users wanting smooth UI performance	Similar trade-offs to XanMod, less CPU-specific optimization
Zabbly Kernel	Mainline kernel tracking	Developers, early adopters needing cutting-edge features, testing upcoming Ubuntu kernels	Bleeding-edge instability, minimal downstream patches, frequent updates

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. Additionally, XanMod applies extensive performance patches targeting gaming and high-performance computing with CPU-specific builds optimized for different processor generations, while Liquorix focuses on desktop responsiveness and multimedia workloads with low-latency optimizations. Meanwhile, Zabbly tracks mainline kernel development with minimal modifications, delivering upstream features and hardware support as they land in stable releases.

Therefore, 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 cutting-edge optimizations, making them better suited for workstations, development machines, and non-critical systems where you can tolerate occasional instability in exchange for performance gains.

XanMod supports only x86_64 architecture (64-bit Intel/AMD processors) and does not support Secure Boot. Before proceeding, disable Secure Boot in your system BIOS/UEFI settings. Check your architecture compatibility by running uname -m, and if the output shows x86_64, you can proceed with installation.

Import XanMod APT Repository

Update Ubuntu Before XanMod Installation

Before proceeding, update your system to ensure all packages are current and minimize potential conflicts during installation. First, refresh the package index:

sudo apt update

Next, upgrade any outdated packages:

sudo apt upgrade

Install Required Packages For XanMod Installation

Install the packages needed for secure repository management and kernel driver support. Additionally, these tools handle repository authentication (dirmngr, ca-certificates, gnupg), system information detection (lsb-release), repository configuration (software-properties-common), and automatic driver rebuilding when your kernel updates (dkms). DKMS (Dynamic Kernel Module Support) automatically rebuilds drivers when your kernel updates, similar to how Windows maintains driver compatibility across updates.

sudo apt install dirmngr gnupg lsb-release ca-certificates software-properties-common apt-transport-https dkms wget -y

Add XanMod GPG Key and APT Repository

Download and install the XanMod GPG key to verify package authenticity. Additionally, the GPG key ensures packages come from the official XanMod project and haven’t been tampered with during download. First, make sure the dedicated keyring directory exists so the key file can be created:

sudo install -m 0755 -d /etc/apt/keyrings

The wget command uses -qO - to download the key quietly to standard output, while gpg --dearmor -vo converts the ASCII-armored key into the binary format APT requires and writes it to the specified file:

wget -qO - https://dl.xanmod.org/archive.key | sudo gpg --dearmor -vo /etc/apt/keyrings/xanmod-archive-keyring.gpg

Add the XanMod repository to your system. Additionally, the $(lsb_release -sc) command automatically detects your Ubuntu codename (noble, jammy, etc.), ensuring the correct repository suite is configured:

echo "deb [signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/xanmod-archive-keyring.gpg] http://deb.xanmod.org $(lsb_release -sc) main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/xanmod-release.list

Afterward, verify the repository was added successfully:

cat /etc/apt/sources.list.d/xanmod-release.list

Consequently, the output displays the repository configuration with your Ubuntu codename:

deb [signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/xanmod-archive-keyring.gpg] http://deb.xanmod.org noble main

XanMod supports Ubuntu codenames: noble (24.04 LTS), oracular (24.10), plucky (25.04), questing (25.10), jammy (22.04 LTS), and several older releases. The $(lsb_release -sc) command automatically selects the correct codename for your system.

Refresh APT Cache After XanMod Import

Afterward, refresh the APT package index to include the XanMod repository:

sudo apt update

Select and Install XanMod Kernel

Download XanMod Kernel Check Script

First, download the XanMod CPU detection script to identify the correct kernel version for your processor:

wget https://dl.xanmod.org/check_x86-64_psabi.sh
chmod +x check_x86-64_psabi.sh

XanMod provides different kernel builds optimized for specific CPU generations through x86-64 microarchitecture levels. Consequently, the x86-64-v2 level adds SSE3, SSSE3, and SSE4 instructions (2009-era CPUs), while x86-64-v3 includes AVX and AVX2 vector extensions (2015-era CPUs like Intel Haswell and AMD Zen). The script detects your processor’s supported instruction sets to recommend the optimal build that delivers maximum performance without compatibility issues.

Then, execute the script to determine the suitable version:

./check_x86-64_psabi.sh

Afterward, the output indicates the supported x86-64 version:

CPU supports x86-64-v3

Additionally, your output may show x86-64-v2 or v3 depending on your processor generation. Modern CPUs from approximately 2015 onward (Intel Haswell, AMD Zen, and newer) support v3, while CPUs from 2009-2015 typically support v2. The v4 level requires AVX-512 instructions found primarily in server CPUs and offers no practical performance benefit for XanMod kernels.

Even if the script reports x86-64-v4, the XanMod repository currently ships only x64v2 and x64v3 builds. Install the x64v3 package on AVX-512-capable CPUs to run the newest available kernel:

sudo apt install linux-xanmod-x64v3

Install XanMod Kernel via APT Command

Next, install the XanMod kernel matching your CPU version. For example, if the script reported x86-64-v3:

sudo apt install linux-xanmod-x64v3

Replace x64v3 with your detected version (x64v2 for older CPUs). The MAIN branch currently provides only v2 and v3 builds. If you need the LTS branch for long-term stability, install linux-xanmod-lts-x64v2 or linux-xanmod-lts-x64v3 instead.

Additionally, for detailed compatibility information, visit the XanMod website.

XanMod Version Overview

Main Branch Versions

• linux-xanmod-x64v2: Compatible with CPUs from 2009-2015, including AMD Family 10h through 15h (Barcelona, Bulldozer, Piledriver) and Intel Core 2 through 3rd Gen Core (Sandy Bridge, Ivy Bridge). Supports SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, and SSE4.2 instruction sets.
• linux-xanmod-x64v3: Optimized for modern CPUs from 2015 onward, including AMD Family 17h and 19h (Zen through Zen 4) and Intel 4th Gen Core and newer (Haswell, Skylake, Coffee Lake, and beyond). Adds AVX, AVX2, BMI1, BMI2, and FMA3 instruction sets for significantly better performance in multimedia and computational workloads.

Edge Branch Versions

• linux-xanmod-edge-x64v2: Bleeding-edge kernel for older CPUs (2009-2015 generation). Includes experimental patches and latest upstream features before they stabilize in MAIN.
• linux-xanmod-edge-x64v3: Bleeding-edge kernel for modern CPUs (2015+ generation). Delivers cutting-edge performance optimizations and new features at the cost of potential instability.

LTS Branch Versions

• linux-xanmod-lts-x64v1: Long-term stable kernel for legacy CPUs from 2003-2009, including AMD K8/K10 families, Intel Pentium 4, Core 2, and early Core i-series. Use this only if your CPU predates SSE4.2 support.
• linux-xanmod-lts-x64v2: Long-term stable kernel for CPUs from 2009-2015 generation. Provides conservative updates with security patches while maintaining proven stability for production systems.
• linux-xanmod-lts-x64v3: Long-term stable kernel for modern CPUs from 2015 onward. Balances performance optimizations with extended support lifecycle, ideal for production workstations requiring stability guarantees.

RT Branch Versions

• linux-xanmod-rt-x64v2: Real-time kernel for CPUs from 2009-2015 generation. Provides deterministic latency and preemption guarantees for audio production, industrial control systems, and robotics applications requiring hard real-time performance.
• linux-xanmod-rt-x64v3: Real-time kernel for modern CPUs from 2015 onward. Combines PREEMPT_RT patches with AVX2 optimizations for low-latency multimedia workloads and time-critical applications where consistent sub-millisecond response times matter more than maximum throughput.

Therefore, each version is tailored to specific CPU generations and types, ensuring optimized performance and compatibility. Selecting the correct version for your CPU architecture is crucial for achieving the best results with the XanMod Kernel.

Reboot System After XanMod Installation

Reboot to activate the newly installed kernel:

sudo reboot

After rebooting, your system loads the XanMod kernel with CPU-specific optimizations active. Additionally, you can optionally clean up the detection script:

rm check_x86-64_psabi.sh

Verify XanMod Kernel Installation

Check XanMod Kernel Version

Verify the active kernel version:

uname -r

Consequently, the output shows the XanMod kernel version and CPU architecture variant:

6.17.8-x64v3-xanmod1

As a result, the version format breaks down as: kernel version (6.17.8), CPU optimization level (x64v3), and XanMod release (xanmod1). This confirms your system boots the performance-optimized kernel built specifically for your processor’s instruction set capabilities.

Optional: Display System Information with hostnamectl

You can use the built-in hostnamectl command (part of systemd on every modern Ubuntu release) to print kernel, hardware, and operating system details without installing extra utilities:

hostnamectl

Example output:

Static hostname: workbench
Icon name: computer-desktop
Operating System: Ubuntu Linux
Kernel: Linux 6.17.8-x64v3-xanmod1
Architecture: x86-64

Install Intel or AMD Official Microcodes on Ubuntu

Install Intel Microcode

Additionally, Intel processor users should install microcode updates to address CPU bugs, security vulnerabilities, and performance issues. Install the Intel microcode package:

sudo apt install intel-microcode iucode-tool

Install AMD Microcode

Similarly, AMD processor users should install microcode updates for CPU bug fixes and security patches. Install the AMD microcode package:

sudo apt install amd64-microcode

Managing XanMod Kernel

Update XanMod Kernel

To stay current, update XanMod through standard system updates. Check for updates:

sudo apt update

Then, apply available updates:

sudo apt upgrade

Remove XanMod Kernel

Next, remove the XanMod repository to prevent future updates:

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/xanmod-release.list

Then, remove the GPG key:

sudo rm /etc/apt/keyrings/xanmod-archive-keyring.gpg

Afterward, identify installed XanMod packages to ensure complete removal:

dpkg --list | grep "$(uname -r)"

Consequently, this command lists XanMod kernel images and headers matching your current kernel version.

Finally, remove all XanMod kernel packages:

sudo apt autoremove linux-image-*.*.*-xanmod* linux-headers-*.*.*-xanmod* --purge

After that, reboot to complete the removal:

sudo reboot

Upon restarting, verify that your system has reverted to the standard Ubuntu kernel:

uname -r

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Secure Boot Prevents XanMod Kernel From Booting

However, if your system shows “Validation failed: Security Policy Violation” or fails to boot after installing XanMod, Secure Boot is still enabled. XanMod kernels are not signed with Microsoft’s UEFI keys, so Secure Boot firmware blocks them. Check your current Secure Boot status:

mokutil --sb-state

Afterward, if the output shows “SecureBoot enabled,” you must disable it in your system BIOS/UEFI settings. Reboot, press the BIOS key (usually F2, F10, Del, or Esc during startup), navigate to Security settings, and disable Secure Boot. Save changes and reboot. After disabling Secure Boot, verify the change:

SecureBoot disabled
Platform is in Setup Mode

System Still Boots Ubuntu Default Kernel

However, if uname -r shows a generic Ubuntu kernel instead of XanMod after installation, GRUB may default to the wrong kernel. List all installed kernels:

dpkg --list | grep linux-image

From there, the output shows both XanMod and Ubuntu kernels. Verify GRUB’s default boot entry:

grep GRUB_DEFAULT /etc/default/grub

Otherwise, if set to anything other than GRUB_DEFAULT=0, GRUB may skip the newest kernel. Update GRUB to rebuild the boot menu with the XanMod kernel first:

sudo update-grub

Afterward, reboot and verify XanMod loads. At the GRUB menu, you can manually select “Advanced options for Ubuntu” and choose the XanMod kernel entry if automatic selection fails.

CPU Detection Script Shows Wrong Version

However, if the XanMod detection script reports a version that seems incorrect for your CPU, verify instruction set support manually. Check for AVX2 support (required for x64v3):

grep -o 'avx2' /proc/cpuinfo | head -n1

In that case, if the output shows “avx2,” your CPU supports x64v3. If empty, your CPU only supports x64v2. Check SSE4.2 support (required for x64v2):

grep -o 'sse4_2' /proc/cpuinfo | head -n1

Otherwise, when uncertain, install the x64v2 version as the safe fallback. Modern CPUs from 2015 onward almost universally support x64v3, while CPUs from 2009-2015 support x64v2.

DKMS Module Build Failures

Occasionally, if you see DKMS errors during kernel installation, external drivers (NVIDIA, VirtualBox, etc.) failed to build against the new kernel. Check DKMS module status:

sudo dkms status

From there, the output lists all DKMS modules and their build status for each kernel. Look for “Error” or “installed” entries. If a module shows errors, rebuild it manually:

sudo dkms autoinstall -k $(uname -r)

Additionally, for NVIDIA driver issues specifically, ensure you have the latest driver version that supports your kernel. Install or upgrade NVIDIA drivers if needed. Check build logs if the rebuild fails:

sudo cat /var/lib/dkms/*/build/make.log

Repository GPG Key Errors

Occasionally, if apt update shows “GPG error: The following signatures couldn’t be verified,” the XanMod GPG key is missing or corrupted. Re-import the key:

wget -qO - https://dl.xanmod.org/archive.key | sudo gpg --dearmor -vo /etc/apt/keyrings/xanmod-archive-keyring.gpg

Next, verify the keyring file exists and has correct permissions:

ls -lh /etc/apt/keyrings/xanmod-archive-keyring.gpg

Additionally, the file should be readable by all users. If permissions are wrong, fix them:

sudo chmod 644 /etc/apt/keyrings/xanmod-archive-keyring.gpg

Finally, run sudo apt update again to verify the error resolves.

System Won’t Boot After Kernel Install

If your system fails to boot after installing XanMod, boot the previous working kernel from GRUB. When the system starts, hold Shift (BIOS) or Esc (UEFI) to show the GRUB menu. Select “Advanced options for Ubuntu,” then choose your previous kernel (the generic Ubuntu kernel listed below XanMod). Once booted, remove the problematic XanMod kernel and investigate the issue before trying again.

Next, check system logs for boot failures:

sudo journalctl -xb -1

From there, this shows logs from the previous boot attempt. Look for kernel panics, driver failures, or hardware initialization errors that prevented the XanMod kernel from completing startup.

Conclusion

Ultimately, XanMod delivers aggressive performance optimizations through CPU-specific builds, low-latency scheduling, and advanced I/O enhancements that benefit gaming, multimedia production, and high-performance computing workloads. The installation covers repository setup, CPU architecture detection for optimal kernel selection, and microcode updates for Intel or AMD processors. Your Ubuntu system now runs a performance-focused kernel with optimizations targeting your specific processor generation while maintaining straightforward update and removal procedures through standard package management.