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Linode Kubernetes Engine (LKE) streamlines Kubernetes version management by automating control plane upgrades and node pool maintenance. This guide walks you through upgrading your cluster, highlights best practices, and ensures minimal downtime.
The image shows a Kubernetes management interface displaying details about a cluster named "test01," including version, resources, and node pool status. Options for upgrading, adding tags, and managing nodes are also visible.

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1. Check for Available Upgrades

On the LKE Dashboard, any available Kubernetes version upgrades appear as a notification banner. In our example, the cluster test01 is on v1.22 and ready to upgrade to v1.23.

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Why upgrade?

  • Access new Kubernetes features and improvements
  • Receive critical bug fixes and security patches
  • Maintain compatibility with cloud-native tools
You can also review the official Kubernetes upgrade documentation for details on control plane components such as the API server, scheduler, and etcd.

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2. Initiate the Upgrade

Click Upgrade Version to begin. A confirmation dialog shows your current and target versions:
The image shows a dialog box prompting to upgrade a Kubernetes cluster named "test01" from version 1.22 to 1.23, with options to cancel or upgrade.

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3. Recycle Worker Nodes

After version confirmation, LKE recommends recycling all worker nodes. Recycling terminates existing nodes and recreates them under the new control plane version.
The image shows a confirmation dialog box asking if the user wants to recycle all nodes in a Kubernetes cluster, with options to cancel or proceed.
Recycling deletes any local storage, including hostPath volumes. Ensure you back up persistent data or migrate workloads to avoid data loss.

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4. Monitor Upgrade Progress

Once confirmed, LKE handles the control plane update followed by node pool recreation. You can track real-time progress through the cluster details page:
The image shows a Kubernetes management interface with details about a cluster named "test01," including its version, resources, and node pool status. The node pool has a dedicated 4 GB node that is currently running.

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5. Post-Upgrade Checklist

TaskDescription
Backup VerificationConfirm backups for persistent volumes and cluster state
Workload ValidationTest application functionality and performance
Capacity ReviewEnsure node pool sizing meets production demands
Rollback PlanHave a strategy to revert to the previous version if issues arise

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Best Practices

Upgrading your LKE cluster centers on preparation and monitoring. With proper planning—backups, test runs, and capacity checks—you can leverage the latest Kubernetes features while minimizing service disruptions.

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