How to Switch to the LTS Kernel in Arch Linux

To switch Arch Linux to its LTS kernel, install linux-lts, make it available in your bootloader, then choose its entry at startup. Keep the standard linux package until LTS boots successfully; Arch can keep both kernels installed.

Arch provides linux-lts in Core. The kernel receives long-term upstream maintenance and can be a useful alternative or fallback for troubleshooting, but it does not guarantee compatibility. See the official package page and ArchWiki kernel guidance.

Before you switch

Identify the active bootloader. If bootctl status reports systemd-boot, use that section; bootctl list shows its entries. Otherwise, confirm where your GRUB configuration lives. The GRUB example below uses /boot/grub/grub.cfg; customized systems may use another path. Save any custom boot entry before editing.

Arch does not support partial upgrades. Use a full system upgrade when installing packages, as shown in the first command.

Install and boot the LTS kernel

1. Install the package

Open a terminal and run:

sudo pacman -Syu linux-lts

Review and confirm Pacman’s transaction. The package installs the LTS kernel and modules; its images are typically named vmlinuz-linux-lts and initramfs-linux-lts.img. The configured initramfs tooling creates the matching boot image.

If you use DKMS or another tool to compile out-of-tree modules, install the matching headers too:

sudo pacman -S linux-lts-headers

Headers are optional for most users. Check your driver’s package instructions to see whether it needs them.

2. Update the bootloader configuration

Kernel installation alone does not select LTS in every boot setup. Follow the instructions for the bootloader already in use.

GRUB

For a standard Arch GRUB installation, regenerate its menu:

sudo grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

The generator normally detects installed Arch kernels and adds an LTS entry. Check its output. If your system stores grub.cfg elsewhere, use that path. See the ArchWiki GRUB guide.

systemd-boot

systemd-boot reads entries and boot files from the EFI System Partition (ESP) or an Extended Boot Loader Partition (XBOOTLDR). Confirm the LTS kernel and initramfs are on one of those partitions. Copy your working Arch entry into the same loader/entries/ directory; change its title and kernel/initramfs paths to the LTS names, but preserve the full options line and any CPU microcode initrd line.

When the ESP is mounted at /boot, an entry may be at /boot/loader/entries/arch-lts.conf. Use your existing paths and layout; UKI setups differ.

title Arch Linux (LTS)
linux /vmlinuz-linux-lts
initrd /initramfs-linux-lts.img
options [copy the existing options line]

Replace the bracketed reminder with your working entry’s complete options line; it is not literal configuration. See the ArchWiki systemd-boot guide.

3. Select the LTS entry

Restart. In GRUB, LTS may be under “Advanced options for Arch Linux.” In systemd-boot, choose the entry you created. Select Arch Linux (LTS) and leave the regular Arch entry available as a fallback.

If the LTS option is missing, check that both LTS files exist on the boot filesystem and that the bootloader reads that same partition. With GRUB, regenerate the actual configuration file; with systemd-boot, verify the entry directory and file paths.

4. Verify the running kernel

After logging in, run:

uname -r

The version should end in -lts. Version numbers change as Arch updates the kernel, so check the suffix rather than a fixed number.

Troubleshooting and rollback

• GRUB omits LTS: confirm vmlinuz-linux-lts exists under the mounted boot directory, then regenerate the correct GRUB configuration. Avoid editing generated grub.cfg directly.
• systemd-boot omits LTS: make sure the entry and kernel files are on the ESP or XBOOTLDR and that the paths match.
• A DKMS module fails: install linux-lts-headers, then rebuild or reinstall the matching module package.
• LTS fails to start: reboot and select the regular linux entry while you troubleshoot.

Keeping both kernels installed lets you return to the standard kernel from the boot menu. ArchWiki also describes linux-lts as an alternative kernel and fallback option in its system maintenance guidance.