New Kernel Won't Load

[gaia]

Version

10.0.22000.1042

WSL Version

• WSL 2
• WSL 1

Kernel Version

Kernel version: 5.10.102.1

Distro Version

Ubuntu 22.04

Other Software

No response

Images

ok, let's restart:

Repro Steps

5.10.102.1-microsoft-standard-WSL2```

`$ sudo needrestart`

same old kernel. Let's try from within:

```$ uname -r
5.10.102.1-microsoft-standard-WSL2```

Also tried restarting the LXSS service and rebooting windows.


### Expected Behavior

at least one of those restart attempts to let WSL use the new kernel

### Actual Behavior

pre-update kernel remains loaded

### Diagnostic Logs

[zcobol]

@gaia how did you install the new kernel, deb package or custom build? 5.15.0-48-generic doesn't look like a WSL released kernel. The latest kernel version is 5.15.68.1-microsoft-standard-WSL2 in the pre-release version. Notice the branding string microsoft-standard-WSL2 which is added to kernels released by WSL team.

It is not recommended to install kernels in a WSL instance. It's just a container.

[NotTheDr01ds]

Also @gaia, there are some formatting issues with your post (images inside code-block, etc.). Would recommend fixing these to make it easier to read.

But definitely agree with @zcobol -- This appears to be working as intended.

You cannot update the kernel from within a distribution; it has to be done for all of WSL2. Please see the config doc for information on how to use a different kernel with WSL2, but also realize that you'll need to make sure that the kernel that you are running has all of the necessary features included (Hyper-V, 9P support, and more). The best way to ensure this is by starting from the WSL2 kernel sources.

[gaia]

@gaia how did you install the new kernel, deb package or custom build? 5.15.0-48-generic doesn't look like a WSL released kernel. The latest kernel version is 5.15.68.1-microsoft-standard-WSL2 in the pre-release version. Notice the branding string microsoft-standard-WSL2 which is added to kernels released by WSL team.

It is not recommended to install kernels in a WSL instance. It's just a container.

I believe it came with apt --with-new-pkgs upgrade from within the instance. You are right, I was so focused on the .15 I didn't notice it wasn't an MS issued kernel. I will remove it.

A question remains: I've always used --with-new-pkgs upgrade with WSL, but this is the first time this happens. Did something change with WSL, Ubuntu, or maybe the way Ubuntu was installed (by me)?

[gaia]

The other Q is, how do I make use of https://github.com/microsoft/WSL2-Linux-Kernel/releases/tag/rolling-lts%2Fwsl%2F5.15.68.1? Do I need to install Ubuntu again?

[NotTheDr01ds]

I've always used --with-new-pkgs upgrade with WSL, but this is the first time this happens. Did something change with WSL, Ubuntu, or maybe the way Ubuntu was installed (by me)?

I can't claim to be an Apt expert, but I'm guessing that some other package that you installed may have specified the kernel as a dependency? I just did a sudo apt --with-new-pkgs upgrade on my (fairly) freshly installed 22.04 instance and didn't get a kernel with it.

In general, I'd recommend just a sudo apt upgrade unless you see a held-back package that you know you need and should install.

The other Q is, how do I make use of [the 5.15.68.1 kernel]? Do I need to install Ubuntu again?

That one's pretty easy. Since you are running Windows 11, you can install WSL 0.68.4, the latest pre-release that includes that kernel.

To do so:

• On the releases page linked above, expand "Assets" and download the .msixbundle

• Reboot to clear any in-use WSL files (may not be necessary, and there are other ways to handle it, but this is simply the easiest to explain :-).

• Start an Administrative PowerShell

• Navigate to the download folder in PowerShell

• Run Add-AppxPackage Microsoft.WSL_0.68.4.0_x64_ARM64.msixbundle

• wsl --version should show the latest kernel is installed.

[gaia]

Thanks, @NotTheDr01ds.

For others that find this, note that (you might want to update your post)

Add-AppxPackage Microsoft.WSL_0.66.2.0_x64_ARM64.msixbundle

Add, not App. Followed by wsl --status, not wsl --version

Lastly, just out of curiosity, the output of --status changed considerably after installing the kernel

[NotTheDr01ds]

@gaia

Add, not App

Good catch - Typo on my part.

Followed by wsl --status, not wsl --version

Not a typo -- It really should be --version (the command changes again in 0.68.4), but from the screenshot it looks like you downloaded and installed 0.66.2 instead of 0.68.4. They recently (0.67.6) tweaked the --status and --version commands to remove redundant information.

After installing 0.68.4, the results should be something like:

> wsl --status
Default Distribution: ntd_Tumbleweed
Default Version: 2
> wsl --version
WSL version: 0.68.4.0
Kernel version: 5.15.68.1
WSLg version: 1.0.44
MSRDC version: 1.2.3401
Direct3D version: 1.606.4
DXCore version: 10.0.25131.1002-220531-1700.rs-onecore-base2-hyp
Windows version: 10.0.22621.608