Updating the Rocky Linux Version

Upgrading from Rocky Linux 9.5 to 9.6 can normally be done with a standard DNF update.

Check the Current Version

cat /etc/os-release

or

cat /etc/rocky-release

Update Package Metadata

First, refresh the repository metadata.

sudo dnf clean all
sudo dnf makecache

Update the Entire System

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

or

sudo dnf update --refresh

Rocky Linux does not lock minor releases (9.5 → 9.6); it updates to the latest available 9.x release.

Reboot

If the kernel or systemd has been updated, reboot the system.

sudo reboot

Verify the Version

After rebooting, check the version.

cat /etc/rocky-release

Expected output:

Rocky Linux release 9.6 (Blue Onyx)

ELevate and Leapp Are Not Required

Since 9.5 → 9.6 is an update within the same major version,

• Leapp
• ELevate

are not required.

These tools are used for major version upgrades such as 8.x → 9.x or 9.x → 10.x.

If You Have Pinned a Specific Minor Version

You can check this with:

sudo dnf config-manager --dump | grep releasever

or

cat /etc/dnf/vars/releasever

If 9.5 is set, either remove it or change it to 9.

sudo rm -f /etc/dnf/vars/releasever

Then run:

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh