kernel 6.5 fails to install because unmet dependencies libc6 > 2.38

**Keith Myers** · August 28th, 2023

Tried to install the new stable release 6.5.0-generic kernel from the Mainline PPA and got met with the post title error message.

Have installed all of the previous 6.5-rc kernels prior to this with no problems.

Running Ubuntu 22.04.3 distro on a Zen 4 7950X host which uses libc6 2.35.

Currently on the 6.5-rc7 kernel.

What changed?

**Doug S** · August 28th, 2023

The mainline kernel is compiled from the development version of Ubuntu, or 23.10. In the last week it would have gone to a newer version of libc6 (newer compiler, actually), causing issues with older versions of Ubuntu trying to install that kernel. I am still using 20.04, and have these issues for years:

Code:

Setting up linux-headers-6.5.0-060500 (6.5.0-060500.202308271831) ...
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of linux-headers-6.5.0-060500-generic:
 linux-headers-6.5.0-060500-generic depends on libc6 (>= 2.38); however:
  Version of libc6:amd64 on system is 2.31-0ubuntu9.9.
 linux-headers-6.5.0-060500-generic depends on libssl3 (>= 3.0.0); however:
  Package libssl3 is not installed.

I have to compile the kernel myself to be able to install it.
See also the old related bug report, from last time this happened.

**j0nny55555** · August 31st, 2023

Can confirm #mainline and even 6.4.x now seems to exhibit the same issue:

Code:

Setting up linux-modules-6.4.13-060413-generic (6.4.13-060413.202308301431) ...
Setting up linux-headers-6.4.13-060413 (6.4.13-060413.202308301431) ...
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of linux-headers-6.4.13-060413-generic:
 linux-headers-6.4.13-060413-generic depends on libc6 (>= 2.38); however:
  Version of libc6:amd64 on system is 2.35-0ubuntu3.1.

dpkg: error processing package linux-headers-6.4.13-060413-generic (--install):
 dependency problems - leaving unconfigured

**winstonma2** · September 15th, 2023

I tried Jammy LTS Mainline Kernels and it works for me. Alternatively you can go to the Jammy LTS Mainline repo, follow their README and build the kernel with less than 5 commands.

For Jammy LTS, you can use the follow command,

Code:

# Add Jammy LTS repo
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:tuxinvader/jammy-mainline
# Install Kernel 6.5.2
sudo apt install linux-modules-6.5.2-060502-generic linux-headers-6.5.2-060502-generic linux-image-unsigned-6.5.2-060502-generic

The second command may not work for you because the repo only keep the latest 2 release, due to the size limit. Please check the repo for the latest release and change your package name accordingly.

**ActionParsnip** · September 15th, 2023

What is in the new kernel that you need so badly or are you wanting to report bugs?

**eddy20042** · September 26th, 2023

Same here.

In theory there is a meta-package in mainline-jammy:

sudo apt install linux-generic-6.05

but it does not work for me currently (point to 6.5.5 which is absent ATM). This seems to work though:

sudo apt install linux-headers-6.5-060500-generic linux-image-unsigned-6.5-060500-generic linux-modules-6.5-060500-generic

**tips2448** · October 6th, 2023

This makes complete sense thanks a lot.

**TenPlus1** · October 8th, 2023

I use the Mainline app to install the latest 6.5.5 kernel and while it errors, I can easily remove the offending -headers file in Synaptic and it will run fine.

**Doug S** · October 9th, 2023

Originally Posted by TenPlus1

I use the Mainline app to install the latest 6.5.5 kernel and while it errors, I can easily remove the offending -headers file in Synaptic and it will run fine.

I have noticed that also, but have never understood why. Does anyone know why it works with the header file uninstalled?