← Blog · 30 Aug 2026

How to Upgrade Ubuntu LTS on Your VPS Safely

A new Ubuntu LTS release means better security, a newer kernel and newer PHP, MySQL and OpenSSL. But an upgrade on a live VPS needs a plan.

Before you start

1. Take a snapshot or full backup. On a JryHost VPS use the panel snapshot, then also copy your websites and databases off the server.
2. Update the current release first: sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade -y && sudo reboot.
3. Check free space. You need at least 5 GB free on /.
4. Note your services: web server, PHP version, database, mail, firewall rules.

The upgrade

sudo apt install update-manager-core
sudo do-release-upgrade

Run it inside screen or tmux so a dropped SSH connection does not stop it. When asked about config files, keep your current version unless you know the new one is needed.

After the upgrade

• Reboot and check lsb_release -a.
• Check systemctl --failed.
• Test every website, SSL certificate, cron job and email.
• Re-enable third-party repositories one by one.

Should you wait?

LTS-to-LTS upgrades are normally offered only after the first point release. If your site is business critical, build a new server, test on it, then move DNS. That is the safest path and a JryHost VPS makes it easy to clone.

Need help? Open a ticket and our team can do the upgrade for you.