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To upgrade Ubuntu 22.04 to 24.04 LTS on a server, take a backup, install every pending update with sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade, reboot, then run sudo do-release-upgrade and answer its prompts. Allow 30 to 60 minutes. Ubuntu only upgrades one LTS at a time: 22.04 goes to 24.04, and 24.04 goes to 26.04. Check the result with lsb_release -a.

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Before you start

A release upgrade changes hundreds of packages and can break custom software or leave the server unable to boot. Take a full backup or snapshot first and make sure you can restore it. On a dedicated server, copy important data off the server. Plan a maintenance window.
  • Connect with SSH as a sudo user. Root can leave out sudo.
  • Have the VNC console ready in case SSH drops.
  • Read the Ubuntu 24.04 release notes for known issues.
  • Third-party repositories and PPAs are switched off during the upgrade. Note which ones you use (ls /etc/apt/sources.list.d/) so you can re-enable them afterwards.
  • A fresh install of 24.04 (VPS Panel rebuild) plus restoring your data is often cleaner for heavily customised servers. A rebuild erases the disk.

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Which upgrade paths are supported?

You can’t skip an LTS. Upgrades to a new LTS are offered after its first point release (for example 24.04.1).

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How to upgrade Ubuntu 22.04 to 24.04

1

Check your current version

2

Install all updates

Run both again until nothing is left to upgrade. Ubuntu’s documentation suggests sudo apt dist-upgrade -o APT::Get::Always-Include-Phased-Updates=true to include updates that are still being rolled out.
3

Reboot if needed

Reconnect after the reboot.
4

Check free disk space

The download can be several GB. Free space first if / is nearly full: see check disk space.
5

Make sure the upgrade tool looks for LTS releases

The line must be Prompt=lts. If it says never, change it with sudo nano /etc/update-manager/release-upgrades.
6

Start the upgrade

The tool runs itself inside screen, so the upgrade continues if your SSH connection drops.
7

Answer the prompts

  • Continue running under SSH? Answer y. The tool starts a second SSH server on port 1022 as a backup way in. If you run a firewall, it shows the command to open that port; open it only if you need it.
  • Third-party sources disabled — press Enter.
  • Do you want to start the upgrade? — y. Once the download finishes, you can’t cancel.
  • Configuration file changed — if you edited a file such as sshd_config, keep your version (the default, N) unless you know you need the new one. Press D to see the difference.
  • Remove obsolete packages? — y, after reading the list.
  • Restart required — y.
Don’t close the session or reboot while packages are installing. If your connection drops, reconnect and run sudo do-release-upgrade again: it reattaches to the running upgrade (or use sudo screen -d -r). If you can’t reconnect with SSH, log in through the VNC console or on port 1022.

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How to check it worked

Then:
  1. Check your services: systemctl --failed should list 0 units.
  2. Test your websites, databases and apps.
  3. Re-enable third-party repositories in /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ that the upgrade disabled. Use the vendor’s instructions for 24.04 (noble), not the old jammy entries, then run sudo apt update.
  4. Remove leftovers: sudo apt autoremove.

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How to upgrade Ubuntu 24.04 to 26.04

Follow the same steps on a fully updated 24.04 server. sudo do-release-upgrade offers 26.04 LTS now that upgrades from 24.04 are enabled. Read the 26.04 release notes first and check that your software supports it.

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Frequently asked questions

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Why does do-release-upgrade say “No new release found”?

Usually one of four things: Prompt in /etc/update-manager/release-upgrades is never; the next LTS hasn’t reached its first point release yet; updates are still pending (finish apt full-upgrade and reboot); or you are already on the newest LTS. sudo do-release-upgrade -d forces an upgrade to a development release and is not recommended for production.

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Can I upgrade straight from 20.04 to 24.04?

No. Go to 22.04 first, then 24.04. Both steps need their own backup and checks. Ubuntu 20.04 is end-of-life for standard support, so a fresh install of a supported release is often the better choice.

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My SSH port changed or SSH won’t start after the upgrade. What now?

On Ubuntu 24.04 SSH uses socket activation (ssh.socket), which can change how a custom port is applied. Log in with the VNC console and follow change the SSH port or fix SSH connection refused.

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How long is Ubuntu 24.04 supported?

Ubuntu LTS releases get five years of standard security updates, so 24.04 is covered until 2029. Check ubuntu.com/about/release-cycle for exact dates.

VPS and dedicated server guides

Every server guide in one place.

Update Linux packages

Install updates before upgrading.

Keep SSH sessions running

tmux and screen explained.

Upgrade Debian 12 to 13

The Debian version of this guide.

Schedule and restore backups

Back up before you start.
Checked against the official Ubuntu Server guide to upgrading your release and Canonical’s announcement of 24.04 to 26.04.1 upgrades on 4 November 2026. The SSH port 1022 and screen behaviour were confirmed in the ubuntu-release-upgrader source on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS; a full release upgrade was not run in our test container. Steps can differ on other releases.

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Last Updated: November 2026