> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # How to Upgrade Ubuntu 22.04 to 24.04 LTS on a Server > Upgrade Ubuntu 22.04 to 24.04 LTS on a server: back up, install all updates, reboot, then run sudo do-release-upgrade and follow the prompts safely over SSH. 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`. | Difficulty | Time | Works on | Needs | | - | - | - | - | | Intermediate | 30 to 60 minutes | Ubuntu 22.04 LTS → 24.04 LTS, and 24.04 LTS → 26.04 LTS | sudo or root access, a backup, several GB free disk | ## Before you start > [!WARNING] > > 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](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-schedule-and-restore-backups.md) 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](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-connect-to-a-linux-server-with-ssh.md) as a [sudo user](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-create-a-sudo-user-on-linux.md). Root can leave out `sudo`. * Have the [VNC console](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-enable-and-use-vnc-console-access.md) ready in case SSH drops. * Read the [Ubuntu 24.04 release notes](https://documentation.ubuntu.com/release-notes/24.04/) 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](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-rebuild-and-reinstall-your-vps.md)) plus restoring your data is often cleaner for heavily customised servers. A rebuild erases the disk. ## Which upgrade paths are supported? | From | To | Notes | | - | - | - | | 22.04 LTS (Jammy) | 24.04 LTS (Noble) | Supported | | 24.04 LTS (Noble) | 26.04 LTS (Resolute) | Enabled since 26.04.1; Canonical announced it on 29 September 2026 | | 20.04 or older | — | End of standard support. Upgrade one LTS at a time (20.04 → 22.04 → 24.04), or better, reinstall on a supported release | You can't skip an LTS. Upgrades to a new LTS are offered after its first point release (for example 24.04.1). ## How to upgrade Ubuntu 22.04 to 24.04 **1. Check your current version** ```bash theme={null} lsb_release -a ``` ```text theme={null} Description: Ubuntu 22.04.5 LTS Release: 22.04 Codename: jammy ``` **2. Install all updates** ```bash theme={null} sudo apt update sudo apt full-upgrade ``` 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** ```bash theme={null} [ -f /var/run/reboot-required ] && sudo reboot ``` Reconnect after the reboot. **4. Check free disk space** ```bash theme={null} df -h / ``` The download can be several GB. Free space first if `/` is nearly full: see [check disk space](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-check-disk-space-on-linux.md). **5. Make sure the upgrade tool looks for LTS releases** ```bash theme={null} sudo apt install ubuntu-release-upgrader-core grep Prompt /etc/update-manager/release-upgrades ``` The line must be `Prompt=lts`. If it says `never`, change it with `sudo nano /etc/update-manager/release-upgrades`. **6. Start the upgrade** ```bash theme={null} sudo do-release-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`. > [!WARNING] > > 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](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-enable-and-use-vnc-console-access.md) or on port 1022. ## How to check it worked ```bash theme={null} lsb_release -a uname -r ``` ```text theme={null} Description: Ubuntu 24.04.5 LTS Release: 24.04 Codename: noble ``` 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`. ## 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](https://documentation.ubuntu.com/release-notes/26.04/) first and check that your software supports it. ## Frequently asked questions ### 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. ### 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. ### 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](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-enable-and-use-vnc-console-access.md) and follow [change the SSH port](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-change-the-ssh-port.md) or [fix SSH connection refused](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-fix-ssh-connection-refused.md). ### 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](https://ubuntu.com/about/release-cycle) for exact dates. ## Related guides > [card] [VPS and dedicated server guides](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/vps-and-dedicated-server-guides.md) > > Every server guide in one place. > [card] [Update Linux packages](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-update-linux-packages.md) > > Install updates before upgrading. > [card] [Keep SSH sessions running](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-keep-ssh-sessions-running-with-tmux-and-screen.md) > > tmux and screen explained. > [card] [Upgrade Debian 12 to 13](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-upgrade-debian-12-to-debian-13.md) > > The Debian version of this guide. > [card] [Schedule and restore backups](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-schedule-and-restore-backups.md) > > Back up before you start. *** > [!NOTE] > > **Checked against the official [Ubuntu Server guide to upgrading your release](https://documentation.ubuntu.com/server/how-to/software/upgrade-your-release/) and Canonical's [announcement of 24.04 to 26.04.1 upgrades](https://discourse.ubuntu.com/t/upgrades-from-ubuntu-24-04-lts-to-ubuntu-26-04-1-lts-now-enabled/88502)** 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. > [!NOTE] > > ### Need Extra Help? > > If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist: > > * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website. > * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) > * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting) > * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com) > [!TIP] > > ### Save on Your Hosting > > Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order! *** **Last Updated:** November 2026 This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.