Why Does Upgrading to Ubuntu 20.04 Lead to Bug Fixes?

Every major release upgrade involves the inevitable troubleshoot of bugs—no software is perfect, and developers are only human. That’s why some commentators are recommending that users hold off on upgrading until the 20.04.1 point release with its complement of bug fixes is released in July. However, based on the observation and recommendations from top YouTubers such as Joe Collins, Jay Lacroix, and Alan Pope of Canonical (Ubuntu's sponsor), upgrading to 20.04 appears to be a smooth, solid, and stable transition. They have demonstrated that 20.04 not only fixes many bugs but also introduces several enhancements. For the most part, I agree: I completed my upgrade yesterday, April 24, although I’m still working through a few issues.

Common Issues and Solutions During the Upgrade Process

During the upgrade process, I've encountered a few common issues, such as the default enabling of Wayland, which is still in a buggy stage. Wayland, a new display server protocol, is designed to improve performance and use less resources, but it can cause significant issues for some users. Specifically, I noticed that the upgrade enabled Wayland by default, and it caused some compatibility and functionality problems.

The Wayland Bug and Its Solution

One of the main issues I faced during the upgrade was the default activation of Wayland. This can lead to problems such as graphical glitches, keyboard and mouse input issues, and application crashes. To address this issue, I re-enabled X11 by editing the configuration file. By setting WaylandEnablefalse in the file, I effectively disabled Wayland and re-enabled the more stable X11. This simple change resolved most of the problems I was experiencing.

Other Common Issues and Recommendations

While the default activation of Wayland is a notable issue, there are other common problems that users might encounter during and after the upgrade. Some other issues include compatibility issues with certain applications, networking issues, and changes in keyboard shortcuts that might cause confusion. To mitigate these issues, it is recommended to:

Maintain a backup of your critical data and settings before the upgrade. Review the release notes and change logs for the 20.04 upgrade to understand the known issues and solutions. Use a live USB or virtual machine to test the upgrade process in a sandbox environment before making the switch on your main system. Stay updated with the latest bug fixes and updates provided by the Ubuntu community.

Conclusion

While the decision to upgrade to Ubuntu 20.04 is a personal one and should be based on individual needs and comfort levels, the recommendations from top YouTubers and the demonstrated stability of the system suggest that the upgrade is worth the effort. For those who are cautious about upgrading, waiting for the 20.04.1 point release with additional bug fixes might provide more confidence. Ultimately, the upgrade process, while potentially challenging, offers significant benefits in terms of performance, security, and new features.

Additional Resources

For more detailed information and troubleshooting tips, refer to the following resources:

Official Ubuntu 20.04 Upgrade Guide Ubuntu 20.04 Bug Fixes and Known Issues Top Tips for a Smooth Ubuntu 20.04 Upgrade

Note: This article is based on personal experiences and observations of the 20.04 upgrade process. Results may vary depending on individual configurations and usage patterns.