You can use the amazon-linux-extras repository to upgrade the kernel

First, run this command to get all available kernel versions sudo amazon-linux-extras |grep kernel

you will see a response similar to this

  _  kernel-5.4               available    [ =stable ]
 55  kernel-5.10=latest       enabled      [ =stable ]
 62  kernel-5.15              available    [ =stable ]

the kernel version marked as enabled is the one installed on your machine

to upgrade to the newer version (for example kernel-5.15), just run this command sudo amazon-linux-extras install kernel-5.15 -y

Now, you need to reboot the server with sudo reboot

After rebooting, run the command uname -r to make sure that the newer version is successfully installed

for more information, please refer to this link

Answer from Mai Elshiashi on serverfault.com
🌐
AWS re:Post
repost.aws › knowledge-center › amazon-linux-2-kernel-upgrade
Upgrade Amazon Linux 2 kernel version | AWS re:Post
August 13, 2024 - You can upgrade the default kernel to an Amazon Linux Extra kernel version 5.4.x, 5.10.x, or 5.15x. Note: You can upgrade directly from Amazon Linux 2 kernel version 4.14.x directly to 5.10.x or 5.15.x. You don't need to upgrade to 5.4.x first.
Top answer
1 of 2
1

You can use the amazon-linux-extras repository to upgrade the kernel

First, run this command to get all available kernel versions sudo amazon-linux-extras |grep kernel

you will see a response similar to this

  _  kernel-5.4               available    [ =stable ]
 55  kernel-5.10=latest       enabled      [ =stable ]
 62  kernel-5.15              available    [ =stable ]

the kernel version marked as enabled is the one installed on your machine

to upgrade to the newer version (for example kernel-5.15), just run this command sudo amazon-linux-extras install kernel-5.15 -y

Now, you need to reboot the server with sudo reboot

After rebooting, run the command uname -r to make sure that the newer version is successfully installed

for more information, please refer to this link

2 of 2
1

Kernel live patches are available for Amazon Linux 2 with kernel version 4.14.165-131.185 or later. To check your kernel version, run the following command.

[root@actsupport ~]#  yum list kernel

If you already have a supported kernel version, skip this step. If you do not have a supported kernel version, run the following commands to update the kernel to the latest version and to reboot the instance.

[root@actsupport ~]#  sudo yum install -y kernel
[root@actsupport ~]#  reboot

Install the yum plugin for Kernel Live Patching.

[root@actsupport ~]#  yum install -y yum-plugin-kernel-livepatch

Enable the yum plugin for Kernel Live Patching.

[root@actsupport ~]#  yum kernel-livepatch enable -y

This command also installs the latest version of the kernel live patch RPM from the configured repositories.

To confirm that the yum plugin for kernel live patching has installed successfully, run the following command.

[root@actsupport ~]#  rpm -qa | grep kernel-livepatch

When you enable Kernel Live Patching, an empty kernel live patch RPM is automatically applied. If Kernel Live Patching was successfully enabled, this command returns a list that includes the initial empty kernel live patch RPM.

Update and start the kpatch service. This service loads all of the kernel live patches upon initialization or at boot.

[root@actsupport ~]#  yum update kpatch-runtime
[root@actsupport ~]#  systemctl enable kpatch.service

Configure the Amazon Linux 2 Kernel Live Patching repository, which contains the kernel live patches.

[root@actsupport ~]#  amazon-linux-extras enable livepatch
Discussions

Unable to upgrade Amazon Linux 2 Kernel to 5.15 with amazon-linux-extras
Error: "Unable to gain necessary access for possible kernel updates" when running AWS-RunPatchBaseline document via Systems Manager ... How do I upgrade my standard Amazon Linux 2 kernel version 4.14.x to Amazon Linux Extra kernel versions? More on repost.aws
🌐 repost.aws
2
0
December 20, 2023
Anyone know how to get the Amazon Linux 2 kernel source RPMs for 5.10 and 5.15?
have you seen this ? https://repost.aws/knowledge-center/amazon-linux-2-kernel-upgrade More on reddit.com
🌐 r/linuxquestions
1
6
March 23, 2025
yum - Unable to update kernel in Amazon Linux 2 as per Security Advisory: ALAS-2021-1719 - Stack Overflow
Nope, didn't work. I get the same No packages marked for update when I try to update the kernel after running the clean al and makecache ... Please run cat /etc/os-release and verify that you are on AL2. ... Yup, am on Amazon Linux 2. More on stackoverflow.com
🌐 stackoverflow.com
I've automated WireGuard on AWS with Amazon Linux 2 and Network Load Balancer
Epic. Will test Monday! More on reddit.com
🌐 r/WireGuard
20
36
September 7, 2019
🌐
Amazon Web Services
aws.amazon.com › compute › amazon linux 2 › faqs
Amazon Linux 2 FAQs
2 weeks ago - A Linux kernel tuned for performance on Amazon EC2. A set of core packages including systemd, GCC 7.3, Glibc 2.26, Binutils 2.29.1 that receive Long Term Support (LTS) from AWS. An extras channel for rapidly evolving technologies that are likely to be updated frequently and outside the Long ...
🌐
AWS
docs.aws.amazon.com › amazon linux › user guide › al2 kernel › kernel live patching on al2
Kernel Live Patching on AL2 - Amazon Linux 2
Because of that, these fixes will ... You can install the native kernel package update and reboot the system to activate the patches as usual. For frequently asked questions about Kernel Live Patching for AL2, see the Amazon Linux 2 Kernel Live Patching FAQ...
🌐
AWS
docs.aws.amazon.com › amazon linux › user guide › al2 kernel
AL2 kernel - Amazon Linux 2
AL2 originally shipped with a 4.14 kernel, with version 5.10 as the current default. If you are still using a 4.14 kernel, you are encouraged to migrate to the 5.10 kernel.
🌐
AWS
docs.aws.amazon.com › amazon linux › user guide › updating al2023 › updating the linux kernel on al2023
Updating the Linux Kernel on AL2023 - Amazon Linux 2023
2 weeks ago - Update the Linux kernel to latest versions to benefit from new features and performance improvements.
🌐
Tenable
tenable.com › plugins › nessus › 312151
Amazon Linux 2 : kernel, --advisory ALAS2KERNEL-5.15-2026-101 ...<!-- --> | Tenable®
May 5, 2026 - Run 'yum update kernel' or or 'yum update --advisory ALAS2KERNEL-5.15-2026-101' to update your system. https://alas.aws.amazon.com//AL2/ALAS2KERNEL-5.15-2026-101.html ... Supported Sensors: Frictionless Assessment AWS, Frictionless Assessment Agent, Nessus Agent, Agentless Assessment, Continuous ...
🌐
AWS
docs.aws.amazon.com › amazon linux › user guide › al2 kernel › al2 supported kernels
AL2 supported kernels - Amazon Linux 2
AL2023 AMIs are available with kernel version 6.1. For more information, see AL2023 Kernel changes from AL2 in the Amazon Linux 2023 User Guide.
Find elsewhere
🌐
AWS
docs.aws.amazon.com › amazon linux 2 › release notes › amazon linux 2 release notes › amazon linux 2 release notes for 2025 › amazon linux 2 version 2.0.20251121.0 release notes
Amazon Linux 2 version 2.0.20251121.0 release notes - Amazon Linux 2
November 21, 2025 - For visibility into the status of CVEs that haven't been addressed yet, see the Amazon Linux Security Center ... This section provides details about [al2 extras] kernel-5.10 updated packages.
🌐
AWS re:Post
repost.aws › questions › QUj8pyDg4UTaGAu_GPVryBLQ › unable-to-upgrade-amazon-linux-2-kernel-to-5-15-with-amazon-linux-extras
Unable to upgrade Amazon Linux 2 Kernel to 5.15 with amazon-linux-extras | AWS re:Post
December 20, 2023 - Following the post (https://repost.aws/knowledge-center/amazon-linux-2-kernel-upgrade) to use amazon-linux-extras: $ uname -r 5.10.198-187.748.amzn2.x86_64 $ sudo amazon-linux-extras |grep kernel _ kernel-5.4 available [ =stable ] 55 kernel-5.10=latest enabled [ =stable ] 62 kernel-5.15 available [ =stable ] $ sudo amazon-linux-extras disable kernel-5.10 $ sudo amazon-linux-extras install kernel-5.15 -y $ sudo amazon-linux-extras install kernel-5.15 -y Installing kernel Loaded plugins: priorities, update-motd, versionlock Cleaning repos: amzn2-core amzn2extra-docker amzn2extra-kernel-5.15 15 m
🌐
AWS
docs.aws.amazon.com › aws systems manager › user guide › using aws systems manager tools › aws systems manager node tools › aws systems manager patch manager › using kernel live patching on amazon linux 2 managed nodes
Using Kernel Live Patching on Amazon Linux 2 managed nodes - AWS Systems Manager
After you turn on Kernel Live Patching on an Amazon Linux 2 managed node, you can use Patch Manager, a tool in AWS Systems Manager, to apply kernel live patches to the managed node. Using Patch Manager is an alternative to using existing yum workflows on the node to apply the updates.
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/linuxquestions › anyone know how to get the amazon linux 2 kernel source rpms for 5.10 and 5.15?
r/linuxquestions on Reddit: Anyone know how to get the Amazon Linux 2 kernel source RPMs for 5.10 and 5.15?
March 23, 2025 -

Need these for a project i'm working on, but only 4.14 is available from their RPM repos. (e.g. there is no kernel-5.10 or kernel-5.15 packages available to download with yumdownloader.). I am not too familiar with AL2, but it seems like their 5.10 and 5.15 kernels come from a different packaging scheme (amazon-linux-extras) and Source RPMs may not be available?

🌐
Amazon Web Services
docs.amazonaws.cn › 亚马逊云科技 › amazon systems manager › user guide › using amazon systems manager tools › amazon systems manager node tools › amazon systems manager patch manager › using kernel live patching on amazon linux 2 managed nodes
Using Kernel Live Patching on Amazon Linux 2 managed nodes - Amazon Systems Manager
You can create a custom patch baseline that targets only these patches, or use the predefined AWS-AmazonLinux2DefaultPatchBaseline patch baseline. In other words, you can use AWS-AmazonLinux2DefaultPatchBaseline with Amazon Linux 2 managed nodes on which Kernel Live Patching is turned on, and kernel live updates will be applied.
🌐
Amazon Web Services
docs.amazonaws.cn › 亚马逊云科技 › amazon linux 2 › user guide › al2 on amazon ec2 › user provided kernels
User provided kernels - Amazon Linux 2
If you need a custom kernel on your Amazon EC2 instances, you can start with an AMI that is close to what you want, compile the custom kernel on your instance, and update the bootloader to point to the new kernel. This process varies depending on the virtualization type that your AMI uses.
🌐
AWS
docs.aws.amazon.com › amazon linux › user guide › al2 on amazon ec2 › user provided kernels
User provided kernels - Amazon Linux 2
If you need a custom kernel on ... the custom kernel on your instance, and update the bootloader to point to the new kernel. This process varies depending on the virtualization type that your AMI uses. For more information, see Linux AMI virtualization types in the Amazon EC2 ...
Top answer
1 of 2
3

You can use the amazon-linux-extras repository to upgrade the kernel

First, run this command to get all available kernel versions sudo amazon-linux-extras |grep kernel

you will see a response similar to this

  _  kernel-5.4               available    [ =stable ]
 55  kernel-5.10=latest       enabled      [ =stable ]
 62  kernel-5.15              available    [ =stable ]

the kernel version marked as enabled is the one installed on your machine

To upgrade to the newer version (for example, to upgrade to kernel-5.15), run this command sudo amazon-linux-extras install kernel-5.15 -y

Now, you need to reboot the server with sudo reboot

After rebooting, run the command uname -r to see the kernel version installed. It should be the same version that you chose above.

for more information, please refer to this link

2 of 2
1

You can try to clean the cache first using

yum clean all

then you should update the kernel

yum update

Your repositories may not be correct.

To define a new repository, you can either add a [repository] section to the /etc/yum.conf file, or to a .repo file in the /etc/yum.repos.d/ directory. All files with the .repo file extension in this directory are read by yum, and it is recommended to define your repositories here instead of in /etc/yum.conf

The "yum repolist" command can be used to list installed and enabled repositories.

yum repolist

You should check your network firewall, Security group, subnets...

  • Make sure that security group is whitelisted all inbound and outbound.
  • Public subnets:
    • Make sure the route table for the public subnet is associated with this subnet
    • Route 0.0.0.0/0 pointing to internet gateway.
  • Private subnets:
    • Created a NAT Gateway in a Public subnet.
    • Make sure the route table has a route 0.0.0.0/0 pointing to NAT
🌐
AWS
docs.aws.amazon.com › amazon linux 2 › release notes › amazon linux 2 release notes › amazon linux 2 release notes for 2025 › amazon linux 2 version 2.0.20250804.1 release notes
Amazon Linux 2 version 2.0.20250804.1 release notes - Amazon Linux 2
Versions of Amazon Linux released on August 6, 2025 (2.0.20250804.1) may experience soft lockup issues and instance launch failures when using auditd. Customers are recommended to avoid using the affected AMI versions or updating to the affected kernels while also running auditd.
🌐
AWS
docs.aws.amazon.com › amazon linux 2 › release notes › amazon linux 2 release notes › amazon linux 2 release notes for 2025 › amazon linux 2 version 2.0.20251014.0 release notes
Amazon Linux 2 version 2.0.20251014.0 release notes - Amazon Linux 2
October 14, 2025 - For visibility into the status ... Amazon Linux Security Center ... This section provides details about core updated packages. This section provides details about [al2 extras] gimp updated packages. This section provides details about [al2 extras] openssl-snapsafe updated packages. This section provides details about default kernel-5.10 ...
🌐
AWS
docs.aws.amazon.com › amazon linux 2 › release notes › amazon linux 2 release notes › amazon linux 2 release notes for 2026 › amazon linux 2 version 2.0.20260508.0 release notes
Amazon Linux 2 version 2.0.20260508.0 release notes - Amazon Linux 2
May 8, 2026 - For visibility into the status of CVEs that haven't been addressed yet, see the Amazon Linux Security Center ... This section provides details about core updated packages. This section provides details about [al2 extras] kernel-5.10 updated packages.
🌐
Tenable
tenable.com › plugins › nessus › 314998
Amazon Linux 2 : kernel, --advisory ALAS2KERNEL-5.10-2026-119 ...<!-- --> | Tenable®
May 15, 2026 - Run 'yum update kernel' or or 'yum update --advisory ALAS2KERNEL-5.10-2026-119' to update your system. https://alas.aws.amazon.com//AL2/ALAS2KERNEL-5.10-2026-119.html ... Supported Sensors: Frictionless Assessment AWS, Frictionless Assessment Agent, Nessus Agent, Agentless Assessment, Continuous ...