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Updating the Linux kernel on AL2023

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Updating the Linux kernel on AL2023 - Amazon Linux 2023
Linux kernel versions on AL2023Updating AL2023 to kernel 6.12AL2023 kernels - Frequently Asked Questions

Linux kernel versions on AL2023

AL2023 regularly includes new kernel versions based on Long-Term Support (LTS) versions of the Linux kernel.

AL2023 was originally released in March 2023 with kernel 6.1.

In April 2025, AL2023 added support for Linux kernel 6.12. This kernel added new features including EEVDF scheduling, FUSE passthrough I/O support, a new Futex API, and improvements in eBPF. Kernel 6.12 also allows a userspace program to secure itself at runtime using user-space shadow stacks and memory sealing.

Updating AL2023 to kernel 6.12

You can run AL2023 with kernel 6.12 either by selecting an AMI with kernel 6.12 pre-installed or by upgrading an existing AL2023 EC2 instance.

Running an AL2023 kernel 6.12 AMI

You may select to run an AL2023 AMI with kernel 6.12 pre-installed through the AWS Console or by querying SSM for specific parameters. The SSM keys to query start with /aws/service/ami-amazon-linux-latest/ followed by one of

  • al2023-ami-kernel-6.12-arm64 for arm64 architecture

  • al2023-ami-minimal-kernel-6.12-arm64 for arm64 architecture (minimal AMI)

  • al2023-ami-kernel-6.12-x86_64 for x86_64 architecture

  • al2023-ami-minimal-kernel-6.12-x86_64 for x86_64 architecture (minimal AMI)

Please see Launching AL2023 using the SSM parameter and AWS CLI for details on selecting AL2023 AMIs.

Updating an AL2023 instance to kernel 6.12

You can in-place upgrade a running AL2023 instance to kernel 6.12 with the following steps:

  1. Install the kernel6.12 package:

    $ sudo dnf install -y kernel6.12

  2. Get the latest version of the kernel6.12 package:

    $ version=$(rpm -q --qf '%{version}-%{release}.%{arch}\n' kernel6.12 | sort -V | tail -1)

  3. Make the new kernel6.12 your default kernel:

    $ sudo grubby --set-default "/boot/vmlinuz-$version"

  4. Reboot your system:

    $ sudo reboot

  5. (Optional) Uninstall kernel 6.1:

    $ sudo dnf remove -y kernel

Downgrading from kernel 6.12 to kernel 6.1

If at any point in time you need to downgrade back to kernel 6.1, use the following steps:

  1. Make sure to install the kernel package:

    $ sudo dnf install -y kernel

  2. Get the latest version of the kernel package:

    $ version=$(rpm -q --qf '%{version}-%{release}.%{arch}\n' kernel | sort -V | tail -1)

  3. Make kernel 6.1 your default kernel:

    $ sudo grubby --set-default "/boot/vmlinuz-$version"

  4. Reboot your system:

    $ sudo reboot

  5. (Optional) Uninstall kernel 6.12:

    $ sudo dnf remove -y kernel6.12

AL2023 kernels - Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need to reboot after a kernel update?

Every change to the running kernel requires a reboot.

2. How do I keep kernels up-to-date across multiple instances?

Amazon Linux does not provide facilities to manage fleets of instances. We recommend you patch large fleets using tools like AWS Systems Manager.

3. How do I check which kernel version I am running right now?

Execute this command on your AL2023 instance:

$ uname -r

4. How do I install kernel headers, development packages, and extra modules for kernel 6.12?

Please run:

$ sudo dnf install -y kernel6.12-modules-extra-$(uname -r) kernel-headers-$(uname -r) kernel-devel-$(uname -r)

5. How do I select the right version of perf for my kernel?

perf's features are tightly tied to the version of the kernel you are running. We provide packages perf for kernel 6.1 and perf6.12 for kernel 6.12. If you have perf installed and would like to switch to the kernel 6.12 version, please execute:

$ dnf -y swap perf perf6.12

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