How to Update Ubuntu on a VPS
Short answerOn Ubuntu, run sudo apt update, then sudo apt upgrade -y, reboot if the kernel changed, and use apt autoremove to clean unused packages. Back up important data before major upgrades on an unmanaged VPSGrid VPS.
Overview
This guide covers routine package updates on Ubuntu (22.04, 24.04, and similar LTS releases) inside your VPSGrid KVM VPS. VPSGrid is unmanaged — you apply OS patches inside the guest. For Debian, AlmaLinux, or Rocky, see the distro-specific articles linked below.
Before you update
- Confirm you have SSH or console access — Console when SSH fails
- Back up important site/app data and configs
- Schedule a maintenance window if this is production
- Prefer updating during low-traffic periods
1) Refresh package lists
sudo apt updateThis downloads the latest package index. If you see repository errors, fix broken sources before upgrading.
2) Apply upgrades
sudo apt upgrade -yInstalls newer versions of installed packages. Review prompts if any config files changed — on servers, keeping your modified configs is usually safer unless you intend to adopt package defaults.
3) Optional: full distribution upgrade
For moving between Ubuntu releases (e.g. 22.04 → 24.04), use do-release-upgrade only after reading Ubuntu’s release notes and with a verified backup. Routine security patching uses apt upgrade, not release upgrades.
4) Clean unused packages
sudo apt autoremove -y
sudo apt autoclean5) Reboot if the kernel updated
Check whether a reboot is required:
# common on Ubuntu
[ -f /var/run/reboot-required ] && cat /var/run/reboot-required
# or compare running vs installed kernel
uname -r
dpkg -l | grep linux-image | tail -5Reboot during maintenance: How to Reboot Your VPS from the Client Area or sudo reboot from SSH. Keep console access ready in case services need manual start after reboot.
6) Verify services after reboot
- Confirm web stack, database, and app workers restarted
- Check firewall rules still allow SSH (22) and your app ports
- Review logs if anything failed to start
Other Linux distros on VPSGrid
- How to Update Debian on a VPS — same apt workflow, different release cadence
- How to Update AlmaLinux on a VPS —
dnf upgrade - How to Update Rocky Linux on a VPS —
dnf upgrade - How to Update Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux, and Rocky Linux VPS Safely — cross-distro maintenance checklist
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I update Ubuntu?
Apply security updates regularly — weekly or monthly for most servers, sooner when critical CVEs affect your stack.
Will apt upgrade break my website?
Routine upgrades are usually safe, but PHP, Nginx, or MariaDB updates can require config changes. Test on staging when possible.
Does VPSGrid patch Ubuntu for me?
No on unmanaged plans. You run apt inside the guest OS. VPSGrid manages the hypervisor and platform layer.
Related Articles
Need More Help?
Open a ticket at billing.vpsgrid.net if you cannot reach the VPS after a kernel reboot or need platform/billing assistance — guest OS package issues are self-managed on unmanaged plans.
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