How To Upgrade to Fedora 40 From Fedora 39

Fedora 40 is here, bringing new features, performance improvements, and up-to-date software. If you’re running Fedora 39, upgrading is straightforward—but you want to do it right to avoid headaches.

Here’s how to upgrade from Fedora 39 to Fedora 40 safely and efficiently.

1. Back Up Your Data

Before you do anything, back up your important files. Upgrades usually go smoothly, but it’s not worth the risk. Use an external drive, cloud storage, or your favorite backup tool.

2. Update Your Current System

Open your terminal and make sure your Fedora 39 is up to date. Run:

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Reboot if the kernel or system packages were updated:

sudo reboot

3. Install DNF Plugin for System Upgrades

This plugin is usually installed by default, but it’s good to check:

sudo dnf install dnf-plugin-system-upgrade

4. Download Fedora 40 Packages

Tell DNF to start prepping for Fedora 40:

sudo dnf system-upgrade download --releasever=40

If you have third-party repositories (RPM Fusion, COPR, etc.), add --allowerasing to resolve any conflicts:

sudo dnf system-upgrade download --releasever=40 --allowerasing

5. Start the Upgrade

Once the download finishes, start the upgrade process:

sudo dnf system-upgrade reboot

Your system will reboot and begin upgrading. This can take a while—don’t interrupt it.

6. Post-Upgrade Steps

When your system boots into Fedora 40:

• Log in and make sure everything works.
• Run a full update to grab any new patches:
  sudo dnf upgrade
• Re-enable or update any third-party repos if needed.
• Remove orphaned packages:
  sudo dnf autoremove

Troubleshooting

• Upgrade failed to start? Double-check your repositories. Disable or update any third-party repos causing issues.
• Software missing after upgrade? Try reinstalling it. Sometimes packages change names or versions.
• System won’t boot? Use a Fedora live USB to troubleshoot or recover data.

Conclusion

That’s it—you’re now on Fedora 40! Enjoy the new features and improvements. If you run into issues, check Fedora’s official documentation or the Fedora forums.

Feel free to leave a comment below if you have questions or ran into problems. Happy upgrading!

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!