How to Perform the Ubuntu 22.04 to 24.04 Upgrade

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Okay, here is the detailed article on upgrading Ubuntu 22.04 LTS to 24.04 LTS.

The Definitive Guide: Upgrading Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (Jammy Jellyfish) to 24.04 LTS (Noble Numbat)

Introduction

Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, codenamed “Noble Numbat,” is the latest Long-Term Support release from Canonical, promising five years of standard security maintenance and updates (extendable further with Ubuntu Pro). Building upon the solid foundation of previous releases, 24.04 brings updated software stacks, performance enhancements, new features, and continued refinement of the Ubuntu experience for both desktop and server users. Key highlights often include newer kernels (like Linux 6.8 in 24.04), updated compilers (GCC 13.x), refreshed application suites (LibreOffice, Firefox), improved installer capabilities, enhanced security features, and updates to core components like systemd, Python, and PHP.

Upgrading from one LTS release to the next, such as from Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (Jammy Jellyfish) to 24.04 LTS (Noble Numbat), is a common and generally well-supported path. It allows users to benefit from the latest advancements without performing a clean installation, preserving existing data, applications, and configurations.

However, a release upgrade is a significant system operation. It involves replacing a large portion of the operating system’s core components and installed software. While the Ubuntu development team puts considerable effort into making this process smooth, potential issues can arise due to system customization, third-party software, hardware variations, or unforeseen bugs.

This comprehensive guide aims to walk you through the entire process of upgrading your Ubuntu 22.04 LTS system to 24.04 LTS. We will cover essential prerequisites, detailed preparation steps, the different upgrade methods (graphical and command-line), crucial post-upgrade checks, and common troubleshooting scenarios. Following these steps carefully will significantly increase your chances of a successful and trouble-free upgrade.

Who is this guide for?

This guide is intended for users of Ubuntu 22.04 LTS (both Desktop and Server editions) who wish to upgrade to Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. It assumes a basic understanding of Linux concepts and comfort with using the command line, especially for server upgrades or troubleshooting.

Important Note on Timing: Canonical typically enables the direct LTS-to-LTS upgrade path only after the first point release of the new LTS version (i.e., 24.04.1). This delay allows time for initial bugs discovered after the main release (24.04.0) to be fixed, ensuring a more stable upgrade experience for the large LTS user base. Attempting the upgrade before this official enablement usually requires using the -d flag with the upgrade tool, which targets the development release and carries a higher risk of encountering issues. This guide assumes you are either upgrading after the .1 release or understand the risks of upgrading earlier.

Phase 1: Prerequisites and Thorough Preparation (The Most Critical Phase!)

Do not underestimate the importance of preparation. Rushing into the upgrade without proper checks and backups is the most common cause of problems. Invest time in this phase – it can save you hours or even days of troubleshooting later.

1. Understand the LTS Upgrade Path Timing

  • As mentioned, the standard, recommended upgrade path from 22.04 LTS to 24.04 LTS usually becomes available only after the release of Ubuntu 24.04.1 (typically a few months after the initial 24.04.0 release).
  • By default, Ubuntu LTS releases are configured to only offer upgrades to other LTS releases. You can check this setting:
    • Desktop: Open “Software & Updates”. Go to the “Updates” tab. Ensure the “Notify me of a new Ubuntu version” dropdown is set to “For long-term support versions”.
    • Server/Command Line: Check the configuration file /etc/update-manager/release-upgrades. The line Prompt=lts should be present. If it says Prompt=normal, it will offer upgrades to non-LTS releases as well; if it says Prompt=never, it won’t offer any release upgrades. For an LTS-to-LTS upgrade, Prompt=lts is the correct setting.

2. Review System Requirements

  • While requirements don’t usually change drastically between adjacent LTS releases, it’s wise to briefly review the official Ubuntu 24.04 system requirements. Ensure your hardware (CPU, RAM, disk space) still comfortably meets the minimum and recommended specifications. This is generally only a concern for very old hardware.

3. Create a Comprehensive System Backup (Non-Negotiable!)

  • Why? A release upgrade modifies core system files. Things can go wrong – package conflicts, power failures during the process, unexpected bugs – potentially leaving your system unbootable or causing data loss. A reliable backup is your safety net, allowing you to restore your system to its previous state if the upgrade fails catastrophically.
  • What to Back Up?
    • User Data: Absolutely critical. This includes everything in your /home directory (documents, pictures, videos, application settings, dotfiles).
    • System Configuration: Key configuration files, primarily under /etc. This includes settings for networking, web servers (Apache, Nginx), databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL), firewalls, SSH, user management, and application-specific configurations.
    • Application Data: Data stored outside /home, such as database files (often in /var/lib/mysql, /var/lib/postgresql), web server content (e.g., /var/www/html), mail server data, etc.
    • Package List: It can be helpful to have a list of manually installed packages: apt-mark showmanual > ~/manual-packages.list
  • How to Back Up? Choose a method appropriate for your setup:
    • Simple File Copy (rsync/cp): Suitable for /home directories and specific configuration files. Use an external USB drive, network share (NFS/SMB), or cloud storage.
      bash
      # Example using rsync to an external drive mounted at /media/user/backup_drive
      sudo rsync -aAXv --exclude={"/dev/*","/proc/*","/sys/*","/tmp/*","/run/*","/mnt/*","/media/*","/lost+found","/home/*/.cache/*"} / /media/user/backup_drive/system_backup/
      sudo rsync -aAXv /home/your_username /media/user/backup_drive/home_backup/
      # Note: A full system rsync like the first command can be complex to restore correctly.
      # Focusing on /home and key /etc files is often more practical for manual backup.
      sudo cp -a /etc /media/user/backup_drive/etc_backup_$(date +%F)
    • Archiving (tar): Create compressed archives of important directories.
      bash
      # Backup home directory
      sudo tar czf /media/user/backup_drive/home_backup_$(date +%F).tar.gz /home/your_username
      # Backup /etc directory
      sudo tar czf /media/user/backup_drive/etc_backup_$(date +%F).tar.gz /etc
    • System Imaging Tools (Clonezilla): Creates a block-level image of your entire disk or partitions. Excellent for full system restoration but requires booting from separate media.
    • Snapshot Tools (Timeshift, Btrfs/ZFS Snapshots):
      • Timeshift: Popular and easy-to-use tool (often pre-installed on Mint, easily installable on Ubuntu: sudo apt install timeshift). It creates filesystem snapshots using rsync or Btrfs snapshots (if using Btrfs). Crucially, ensure snapshots are stored on a separate physical disk or partition, otherwise, a disk failure or filesystem corruption during the upgrade could destroy both the system and the snapshots.
      • Btrfs/ZFS: If your root filesystem is Btrfs or ZFS, leverage their native snapshot capabilities before starting the upgrade. This is often the fastest way to create and restore a system state.
    • Virtual Machine Snapshots: If you are upgrading an Ubuntu VM, take a snapshot of the virtual machine before starting the upgrade process. This is usually the easiest and quickest rollback method in a virtualized environment.
  • Verify Your Backup: A backup is useless if it can’t be restored. At a minimum, browse the backup files to ensure they exist and seem complete. Ideally, try restoring a few non-critical files to a temporary location to confirm readability. For full system backups like Clonezilla images, consider doing a test restore if feasible (e.g., to a spare drive or VM).

4. Ensure Your Current System (Ubuntu 22.04) is Fully Up-to-Date

  • The upgrade process works best when starting from a fully patched system. Open a terminal and run:
    bash
    sudo apt update
    sudo apt full-upgrade # Or 'sudo apt upgrade' followed by 'sudo apt dist-upgrade'
    sudo apt autoremove --purge
    sudo apt clean
  • Explanation:
    • apt update: Refreshes the package lists from the repositories.
    • apt full-upgrade (or dist-upgrade): Installs the latest versions of all packages currently installed and intelligently handles dependencies, potentially removing or installing new packages as needed. This is more comprehensive than a simple apt upgrade.
    • apt autoremove --purge: Removes packages that were automatically installed as dependencies but are no longer needed, along with their configuration files (--purge).
    • apt clean: Clears the local cache of downloaded package files (.deb) from /var/cache/apt/archives/.
  • Reboot if Necessary: If the updates included a kernel upgrade or other core components, it’s highly recommended to reboot your system to ensure everything is running with the latest versions before starting the release upgrade.
    bash
    sudo reboot

5. Check Disk Space

  • The upgrade process requires significant free disk space on your root partition (/) and potentially /boot if you have a separate boot partition. The upgrade tool will download several gigabytes of new packages.
  • Check available space:
    bash
    df -h /
    df -h /boot # If you have a separate /boot partition
  • Requirement: You generally need at least 10-15 GB of free space on /, but more is safer (20-25 GB+ recommended). If /boot is separate, ensure it has at least 200-300 MB free (more if you have many old kernels installed).
  • Freeing Up Space (If Needed):
    • Run sudo apt autoremove --purge and sudo apt clean (as done in the previous step).
    • Remove old kernels manually (be careful! Keep at least the current and one previous kernel). Tools like byobu can sometimes help (sudo purge-old-kernels), but use with caution.
    • Clean up large log files in /var/log (e.g., rotate or remove old archived logs like .gz, .1).
    • Empty trash cans (user and root).
    • Check /tmp for large temporary files.
    • Identify large files/directories using tools like ncdu (sudo apt install ncdu, then sudo ncdu /) or du (sudo du -sh /* | sort -h).

6. Check for Held Packages

  • Packages marked as “held” will not be upgraded automatically and can block the release upgrade process.
  • Check for held packages:
    bash
    apt-mark showhold
  • If any packages are listed, investigate why they were held. If it’s safe to upgrade them, unhold them:
    bash
    sudo apt-mark unhold <package_name>
  • After unholding, run sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade again.

7. Manage Third-Party Repositories and PPAs (Very Important!)

  • Third-party repositories (including Personal Package Archives – PPAs) are a common source of conflicts during a release upgrade. They are built for a specific Ubuntu version (e.g., Jammy) and their packages may not be compatible with the new release (Noble).
  • Recommendation: Disable all third-party repositories and PPAs before starting the upgrade.
  • How to Disable:
    • Graphical Method (Desktop): Open “Software & Updates”. Go to the “Other Software” tab. Uncheck all entries that do not point to official Ubuntu repositories (look for ppa.launchpad.net or other non-ubuntu.com domains).
    • Command Line Method:
      • Edit the main sources file: sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list. Comment out (add a # at the beginning of the line) any non-Ubuntu lines.
      • List files in the sources directory: ls /etc/apt/sources.list.d/.
      • Edit each PPA or third-party .list file in /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ (e.g., sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome.list) and comment out the deb lines. Alternatively, you can move these files temporarily out of the directory:
        bash
        sudo mkdir /etc/apt/sources.list.d.bak
        sudo mv /etc/apt/sources.list.d/*.list /etc/apt/sources.list.d.bak/
  • After Disabling: Run sudo apt update one more time to ensure your system only sees the official Ubuntu 22.04 repositories.
  • Note: You can try to re-enable these repositories after the upgrade is complete, making sure they support Ubuntu 24.04 (you may need to edit the files to change jammy to noble).

8. Review Critical Services (Especially for Servers)

  • If you are upgrading a server, identify all critical services running (e.g., web server like Apache/Nginx, database like MySQL/PostgreSQL, mail server, LDAP, applications).
  • Check the documentation for these services regarding compatibility with Ubuntu 24.04 and any potential upgrade considerations or configuration changes needed.
  • Plan for downtime during the upgrade. Inform users or stakeholders if necessary.

9. Consider a Test Environment (Highly Recommended for Critical Systems)

  • If the system is critical for work or business, performing a test upgrade first is strongly advised.
  • Clone the system to a spare machine or, more practically, to a virtual machine (using tools like VirtualBox, VMware, KVM). Perform the upgrade on the clone first to identify potential issues without risking your production system.

10. Secure Shell (SSH) Considerations for Remote Upgrades

  • If you are performing the upgrade remotely via SSH, there’s a risk of the connection dropping during the lengthy process, which could interrupt the upgrade and leave the system in an inconsistent state.
  • Use a Terminal Multiplexer: Start the upgrade process within a terminal multiplexer like screen or tmux. These tools maintain your session even if the SSH connection is lost. You can detach, log out, log back in later, and reattach to the session to monitor progress or interact with prompts.
    • Using screen:
      1. Install if needed: sudo apt install screen
      2. Start a new session: screen -S ubuntu_upgrade
      3. Run the upgrade command (see next phase).
      4. If disconnected, reconnect via SSH and reattach: screen -r ubuntu_upgrade
    • Using tmux:
      1. Install if needed: sudo apt install tmux
      2. Start a new session: tmux new -s ubuntu_upgrade
      3. Run the upgrade command.
      4. If disconnected, reconnect via SSH and reattach: tmux attach -t ubuntu_upgrade
  • The upgrade tool (do-release-upgrade) often attempts to start an extra SSH daemon on a different port (e.g., 1022) as a backup. Pay attention to the initial prompts – it will inform you if it does this and what command to use if your main SSH connection fails. Ensure your firewall allows connections to this backup port from your IP address if you rely on this mechanism.

Phase 2: Performing the Upgrade

Once all preparation steps are meticulously completed, you can proceed with the actual upgrade. There are two primary methods:

Method 1: Using the Graphical Update Manager (Recommended for Desktop Users)

This method uses the standard graphical software update tool and is generally more user-friendly for desktop environments.

  1. Check Update Manager Settings: Ensure “Software & Updates” -> “Updates” -> “Notify me of a new Ubuntu version” is set to “For long-term support versions”.
  2. Check for Updates: Open the “Update Manager” application (you might find it by searching for “Software Updater”). It will check for updates. If all standard updates are installed, and the 24.04.1 release (or later) is out and the upgrade path enabled by Canonical, it should display a message indicating that a new version ‘24.04 LTS’ is available.
    • Alternatively, you can force a check from the command line (even if you plan to use the GUI):
      bash
      update-manager -c
      If an upgrade is available, this command might launch the graphical updater prompt.
  3. Initiate the Upgrade: If prompted, click the “Upgrade…” button.
  4. Enter Password: You will be asked for your user password to grant administrative privileges.
  5. Release Notes: The updater will display the release notes for Ubuntu 24.04. Read through them for important information. Click “Upgrade” to continue.
  6. Preparation: The tool will perform some final checks, disable third-party sources temporarily (if you didn’t do it manually), and prepare the system.
  7. Distribution Upgrade Summary: It will show a summary of how many packages will be removed, installed, and upgraded. It will also estimate the download size and time. Review this information carefully. Click “Start Upgrade”.
  8. Downloading and Installing: The process will now download all necessary packages and begin installing them. This is the longest part of the upgrade and can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on your internet speed and system performance.
  9. Handling Configuration Files: During the installation, you might be prompted about configuration files that have been modified locally (e.g., in /etc). You’ll typically have options like:
    • Keep the local version currently installed: Keeps your modifications. (Often safe, but you might miss important updates).
    • Install the package maintainer’s version: Overwrites your local changes with the default version from the new package. (You lose your customizations for that file).
    • Show the differences between the versions: Allows you to compare your version and the new version.
    • Merge the versions (sometimes offered): Attempts an automatic merge.
    • Start a new shell to examine the situation: Lets you investigate manually.
    • Recommendation: If unsure, it’s often safest to keep your local version for now. The installer usually saves the package maintainer’s version with a .dpkg-new extension (or similar), allowing you to compare and merge changes manually after the upgrade is complete. However, for critical security-related files (like SSH config), carefully examine the differences if offered. Make notes of any files you keep your local version of.
  10. Removing Obsolete Packages: Towards the end, the tool will ask for confirmation to remove obsolete packages (those no longer needed by 24.04). It’s generally safe and recommended to allow this to free up disk space. Review the list if you are concerned.
  11. Restart Required: Once everything is finished, you will be prompted to restart your computer to complete the upgrade. Click “Restart Now”.

Method 2: Using the Command Line (Recommended for Servers, Suitable for Desktops)

This method uses the do-release-upgrade command-line tool. It’s the standard method for servers and preferred by many experienced users as it provides more detailed output. Remember to use screen or tmux if upgrading via SSH!

  1. Install update-manager-core: Ensure the core tool is installed (it usually is):
    bash
    sudo apt install update-manager-core
  2. Verify Configuration: Double-check that /etc/update-manager/release-upgrades contains Prompt=lts.
  3. Launch the Upgrade Tool:
    bash
    sudo do-release-upgrade

    • Important Note on Timing: If you are performing this before the official 24.04.1 release and the enabling of the LTS upgrade path, the above command will likely report “No new release found.” To proceed anyway (understanding the risks of using a potentially less stable pre-point-release version), you need the -d flag:
      bash
      # USE WITH CAUTION - ONLY IF UPGRADING BEFORE 24.04.1 IS OFFICIALLY SUPPORTED
      sudo do-release-upgrade -d
      The -d flag tells the tool to look for the current development release, which becomes the next stable release upon launch. Use this only if you accept the potential for increased instability.
  4. Follow On-Screen Prompts: The tool will guide you through the process. Read each prompt carefully.
    • Initial Checks: It checks network connectivity, fetches information about the new release, and verifies prerequisites.
    • SSH Daemon: It might offer to start a secondary SSH daemon on port 1022 as a fallback. Note the information if it does. Press Enter to continue.
    • Third-Party Sources: It will inform you about third-party sources found and typically disable them. Confirm this.
    • Calculating Changes: It calculates the packages to be upgraded, installed, and removed.
    • Upgrade Summary: It presents a summary: number of packages, download size, estimated time. It will ask for confirmation to proceed (y/N). Type y and press Enter.
    • Fetching Packages: Downloads all required packages.
    • Installing Packages: Installs the downloaded packages. This is the longest phase.
    • Configuration File Prompts: Just like the graphical method, you will encounter prompts for modified configuration files in the terminal. The options will be presented textually (e.g., Y or I to install maintainer’s version, N or O to keep local version, D to show diff, Z to start a shell). Again, keeping your local version (N or O) is often the cautious choice, making a note to review later.
    • Package Removal: Near the end, it will list obsolete packages and ask for confirmation to remove them (y/N). Confirming (y) is usually recommended.
    • Restart Prompt: Finally, it will inform you that the upgrade is complete and a restart is required. It will ask, “System upgrade is complete. Restart required. To finish the upgrade, a restart is required. If you select ‘y’ the system will be restarted. Continue? [yN]”. Press y and Enter to reboot.

During the Upgrade:

  • Do NOT interrupt the process: Do not force shutdown or reboot the machine unless the process is definitively frozen for an excessively long time (hours) with no disk or network activity.
  • Monitor progress: Keep an eye on the terminal output or graphical progress bar.
  • Be patient: It takes time.
  • Ensure stable power: Connect laptops to AC power. Use a UPS for critical servers if possible.

Phase 3: Post-Upgrade Steps and Verification

Your system has rebooted into Ubuntu 24.04. Congratulations! However, the work isn’t quite finished. These post-upgrade checks are crucial to ensure stability and functionality.

1. Initial Login and Version Check

  • Log in to your system (Desktop or Server).
  • Open a terminal and verify the new version:
    bash
    lsb_release -a
    # Expected output should show Distributor ID: Ubuntu, Release: 24.04, Codename: noble
    uname -r
    # Check the kernel version (should be 6.8 or higher for 24.04)

2. Perform a Final System Update

  • Sometimes, additional package updates become available immediately after the release upgrade is finalized. Run another update/upgrade cycle:
    bash
    sudo apt update
    sudo apt full-upgrade

3. Clean Up Obsolete Packages and Configuration

  • Remove any remaining orphaned packages and configuration files that might have been left behind or weren’t removed during the upgrade process itself:
    bash
    sudo apt autoremove --purge
    sudo apt clean

4. Review Configuration File Changes

  • Remember those configuration file prompts during the upgrade? Now is the time to review them.
  • Look for files saved with extensions like .dpkg-old, .dpkg-new, or .ucf-dist in /etc and other configuration directories.
  • Use the diff command to compare your kept version with the new default version provided by the package maintainer.
    bash
    # Example: Comparing sshd_config
    sudo diff /etc/ssh/sshd_config /etc/ssh/sshd_config.dpkg-new
  • Carefully merge any necessary changes from the new version into your configuration file. This might involve adopting new security options, updating syntax, or removing deprecated directives. Always back up the original file before editing!
    bash
    sudo cp /etc/ssh/sshd_config /etc/ssh/sshd_config.backup-premerge
    sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config # Manually merge changes
  • Pay particular attention to critical services like SSH, firewall (ufw), networking (Netplan in /etc/netplan/), web servers, and databases.

5. Re-enable Third-Party Repositories and PPAs (Carefully!)

  • If you disabled third-party repositories or PPAs before the upgrade, you can now try re-enabling them.
  • Crucially, verify that each repository/PPA supports Ubuntu 24.04 (Noble Numbat). Check the PPA’s Launchpad page or the software provider’s website.

  • Update Source Files: You will likely need to edit the corresponding .list files (in /etc/apt/sources.list or /etc/apt/sources.list.d/) and change the distribution codename from jammy (or older) to noble.
    “`bash
    # Example: Editing a PPA file
    sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list.d/some-ppa-ubuntu-ppa-jammy.list
    # Change lines like:
    # deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/some-ppa/ubuntu jammy main
    # To:
    # deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/some-ppa/ubuntu noble main

    After editing, potentially rename the file for clarity (optional)

    sudo mv /etc/apt/sources.list.d/some-ppa-ubuntu-ppa-jammy.list /etc/apt/sources.list.d/some-ppa-ubuntu-ppa-noble.list
    ``
    * **Graphical Method:** You can also use "Software & Updates" -> "Other Software". Select a disabled repository, click "Edit...", and change the "Distribution" field from    jammytonoble. Then, re-check the box to enable it.
    * **Update After Enabling:** After enabling *each* repository (or a small batch), run    sudo apt updateimmediately. Watch for errors (e.g., "404 Not Found" errors indicate the repository doesn't supportnobleyet, or you made a typo). If you see errors, disable that repository again and investigate further. Do not proceed with installing software from broken repositories.
    * Once repositories are successfully re-enabled and    sudo apt updateruns cleanly, you can install or upgrade software from them:sudo apt install `.

6. Check System Services (Especially Server)

  • Verify that all essential services are running correctly.
    bash
    systemctl status <service_name>.service # e.g., apache2.service, nginx.service, mysql.service, sshd.service
    sudo systemctl list-units --type=service --state=failed # Check for failed services
  • Check network connectivity and configuration:
    bash
    ip a
    ping <some_reliable_ip_or_domain>
    cat /etc/netplan/*.yaml # Review Netplan configuration if used
    sudo netplan apply # Apply if changes were made
  • Check firewall status:
    bash
    sudo ufw status verbose
  • Test critical applications (web applications, database connections, etc.).

7. Check Hardware Drivers and Functionality

  • Graphics: Ensure your display resolution is correct and graphics acceleration is working (check system settings, run glxinfo | grep "OpenGL renderer"). If you were using proprietary drivers (NVIDIA, AMD), check if they are still active or if you need to reinstall/update them.
    • Go to “Software & Updates” -> “Additional Drivers”. Check if the correct proprietary driver is selected and in use. You might need to select a newer version compatible with 24.04 and the new kernel and click “Apply Changes”.
  • Network: Verify both wired and wireless connections are working.
  • Sound: Play some audio to check sound output. Check input devices (microphones).
  • Peripherals: Test printers, scanners, webcams, Bluetooth devices.

8. Test Key Applications

  • Launch the applications you use most frequently (web browser, email client, office suite, development tools, etc.) to ensure they start and function as expected. Some applications might require configuration updates or might behave differently due to updated libraries in 24.04.

9. Review System Logs

  • Check system logs for any errors or warnings that might indicate subtle problems.
    bash
    journalctl -p 3 -b # Show errors (priority 3) since last boot
    sudo dmesg | grep -i "error\|warn\|fail" # Check kernel ring buffer for issues
    # Check logs in /var/log, especially syslog, auth.log, kern.log
    # Check upgrade-specific logs: /var/log/dist-upgrade/

Phase 4: Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with careful preparation, issues can occur. Here are some common problems and how to approach them:

1. Upgrade Fails to Start (“No new release found”)

  • Cause: Official LTS upgrade path not yet enabled (before 24.04.1), /etc/update-manager/release-upgrades not set to Prompt=lts, network issues, system not fully up-to-date.
  • Solution:
    • Wait for the 24.04.1 release if possible.
    • If upgrading early, use sudo do-release-upgrade -d (with caution).
    • Verify Prompt=lts in /etc/update-manager/release-upgrades.
    • Ensure the system is fully updated (sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade).
    • Check internet connectivity.

2. Broken Packages / Dependency Issues During or After Upgrade

  • Cause: Conflicts between packages, often involving third-party repositories, interrupted upgrade process.
  • Solution:
    • Try fixing broken dependencies:
      bash
      sudo apt --fix-broken install
      sudo dpkg --configure -a # Reconfigure any partially installed packages
    • Run sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade again.
    • If specific packages are causing issues, you might need to remove them (sudo apt remove <package_name>), fix dependencies, and then try reinstalling them. Check /var/log/apt/term.log and /var/log/apt/history.log for details on errors.
    • Ensure all third-party repositories were disabled before the upgrade. If not, disable them now, run the fix commands, and complete the upgrade.

3. Network Issues Post-Upgrade

  • Cause: Network configuration changes (e.g., interface names), driver issues, NetworkManager or systemd-networkd problems.
  • Solution:
    • Check ip a to see interface status and names.
    • Review Netplan configuration (/etc/netplan/*.yaml) for correctness. Run sudo netplan generate and sudo netplan apply.
    • Check service status: systemctl status NetworkManager.service or systemctl status systemd-networkd.service. Restart the service if needed.
    • Check logs: journalctl -u NetworkManager.service.
    • Check dmesg for kernel messages related to network drivers.

4. Graphical Issues (Incorrect Resolution, Login Loop, Black Screen)

  • Cause: Graphics driver incompatibility (especially NVIDIA proprietary drivers), display server issues (Wayland vs. Xorg).
  • Solution:
    • Try a Different Display Server: At the login screen, look for a gear icon or menu. Try selecting “Ubuntu on Xorg” instead of the default “Ubuntu” (which usually uses Wayland), or vice-versa.
    • Reinstall Graphics Drivers:
      • Boot into recovery mode (hold Shift during boot, select Advanced Options, then Recovery Mode, then enable networking, then drop to root shell).
      • Alternatively, switch to a TTY console (Ctrl+Alt+F3), log in, and run commands.
      • Purge existing drivers (example for NVIDIA): sudo apt-get purge '*nvidia*'
      • Reboot. The system should fall back to the open-source nouveau driver.
      • Log in (possibly in low resolution) and use the “Additional Drivers” tool to reinstall the recommended proprietary driver for 24.04. Or use sudo ubuntu-drivers autoinstall.
    • Check Logs: /var/log/Xorg.0.log (for Xorg), journalctl -b (for Wayland/general boot issues).

5. SSH Connection Lost During Upgrade (Without screen/tmux)

  • Cause: Network interruption, SSH service restarted/stopped during package updates.
  • Solution:
    • Try reconnecting via SSH. The upgrade process might have continued.
    • If the standard SSH port (22) doesn’t work, try connecting to the fallback port (e.g., 1022) if do-release-upgrade offered it: ssh your_user@your_server -p 1022.
    • If you can reconnect, check the status. The upgrade might be waiting for input (e.g., a config file prompt).
    • If the upgrade appears stalled, you might need to run sudo dpkg --configure -a to resume configuration.
    • Check logs in /var/log/dist-upgrade/ to see where it stopped.
    • This scenario highlights the importance of screen or tmux.

6. System Fails to Boot After Upgrade

  • Cause: GRUB bootloader issues, filesystem corruption, critical service failure preventing boot completion, kernel panic.
  • Solution:
    • GRUB Issues: Boot using a Ubuntu Live USB/DVD. Choose “Try Ubuntu”. Mount your system’s root partition. Use chroot to access your installed system. Run sudo update-grub and sudo grub-install /dev/sdX (replace /dev/sdX with your boot disk, e.g., /dev/sda).
    • Filesystem Issues: Boot into recovery mode or use a Live USB. Run fsck on your root and boot partitions (e.g., sudo fsck /dev/sdaY – make sure the partition is unmounted first).
    • Kernel Panic/Boot Errors: Note the error messages on screen. Boot into recovery mode and try selecting an older kernel from the GRUB menu (under Advanced Options). Check logs (journalctl, dmesg) once you get access. The issue might be a driver or a specific service.

Rolling Back an Upgrade

There is no official, automated downgrade path from Ubuntu 24.04 back to 22.04. A release upgrade makes significant, complex changes across the system that are extremely difficult to revert reliably.

Your only reliable rollback method is:

  1. Restoring from the backup you made before starting the upgrade. This is why the backup phase is paramount. Whether it’s restoring files, applying a Timeshift snapshot, restoring a Clonezilla image, or reverting a VM snapshot – this is the intended way to recover from a failed or problematic upgrade.
  2. Performing a clean installation of Ubuntu 22.04. If your backup fails or you didn’t make one, the alternative is to back up your /home data (if accessible) from the 24.04 system (e.g., using a Live USB), wipe the disk, perform a fresh install of 22.04, and then restore your data and reinstall applications.

Conclusion

Upgrading from Ubuntu 22.04 LTS to 24.04 LTS is a worthwhile step to access the latest features, performance improvements, updated software, and extended support provided by Noble Numbat. While the process is generally robust, its complexity demands careful preparation and execution.

By diligently following the steps outlined in this guide – particularly the emphasis on backups, system updates, and managing third-party repositories – you significantly mitigate the risks associated with a major OS upgrade. The post-upgrade checks are equally important for ensuring your system runs smoothly and reliably on the new release.

Should you encounter issues, the troubleshooting section provides starting points, but remember that specific problems might require further investigation based on your unique system configuration. Patience, careful reading of prompts and logs, and methodical problem-solving are key.

Enjoy the new features and refinements of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS “Noble Numbat”!

Disclaimer: Performing a release upgrade carries inherent risks. While this guide provides detailed steps and best practices, unforeseen issues can occur. You are solely responsible for your system and data. Always back up your data before proceeding. The author and publisher of this guide are not responsible for any data loss or system damage that may result from following these instructions.

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