GKE cluster versions have been updated. New versions available for upgrades and new clusters

## Change Change #### (2026-R42) Version updates GKE cluster versions have been updated. **New versions available for upgrades and new clusters.** The following versions are now available for new GKE clusters, and for manual control plane upgrades and node upgrades for existing clusters. For more information about versioning and upgrades, see [GKE versioning and support](https://cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/versioning) and [About GKE cluster upgrades](https://cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/upgrades). ### Rapid channel **Note**: Your clusters might not have these versions available. Rollouts are already in progress when we publish the release notes, and can take multiple days to complete across all Google Cloud zones. * Version [1.36.4-gke.1495000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.36#1-36-4-gke-1495000) is now the default version for cluster creation in the Rapid channel. * The following versions are now available in the Rapid channel: * [1.34.12-gke.1011000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.34#1-34-12-gke-1011000) * [1.35.8-gke.1626001](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.35#1-35-8-gke-1626001) * [1.35.8-gke.1796000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.35#1-35-8-gke-1796000) * [1.36.4-gke.2046000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.36#1-36-4-gke-2046000) * [Alpha version](https://cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/versioning#alpha-versions) 1.38.0-gke.2240000+preview is now available for GKE alpha clusters in the Rapid channel. * The following versions are no longer available in the Rapid channel: * 1.34.11-gke.1102000 * 1.35.8-gke.1439000 is [deprecated](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/versioning#patch-version-support) in the Rapid channel. This version will be removed in 90 days, or at the end of support, if sooner. * 1.35.8-gke.1626000 is [deprecated](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/versioning#patch-version-support) in the Rapid channel. This version will be removed in 90 days, or at the end of support, if sooner. * 1.36.4-gke.1391000 * Clusters in this channel running the listed minor version have new general auto-upgrade targets. GKE can upgrade control planes and nodes to the following new versions with this release: * GKE upgrades clusters to the following new minor versions if there are no factors, such as [maintenance exclusions](https://cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/concepts/maintenance-windows-and-exclusions#exclusions) or deprecated APIs, preventing upgrades: * 1.33 to [1.34.11-gke.1209000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.34#1-34-11-gke-1209000) * 1.34 to [1.35.8-gke.1626001](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.35#1-35-8-gke-1626001) * 1.35 to [1.36.4-gke.1495000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.36#1-36-4-gke-1495000) * GKE upgrades clusters to the following new patch versions if no minor version upgrade is available, or if the cluster has [maintenance exclusions](https://cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/concepts/maintenance-windows-and-exclusions#exclusions) or other factors preventing minor version upgrades: * 1.34 to [1.34.11-gke.1209000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.34#1-34-11-gke-1209000) * 1.35 to [1.35.8-gke.1626001](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.35#1-35-8-gke-1626001) * 1.36 to [1.36.4-gke.1495000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.36#1-36-4-gke-1495000) ### Regular channel **Note**: Your clusters might not have these versions available. Rollouts are already in progress when we publish the release notes, and can take multiple days to complete across all Google Cloud zones. * The following versions are now available in the Regular channel: * [1.34.11-gke.1102000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.34#1-34-11-gke-1102000) * [1.35.8-gke.1380001](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.35#1-35-8-gke-1380001) * [1.35.8-gke.1439001](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.35#1-35-8-gke-1439001) * [1.36.4-gke.1391000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.36#1-36-4-gke-1391000) * The following versions are no longer available in the Regular channel: * 1.34.11-gke.1044000 * 1.35.8-gke.1380000 is [deprecated](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/versioning#patch-version-support) in the Regular channel. This version will be removed in 90 days, or at the end of support, if sooner. * 1.36.3-gke.1767000 is [deprecated](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/versioning#patch-version-support) in the Regular channel. This version will be removed in 90 days, or at the end of support, if sooner. * Clusters in this channel running the listed minor version have new general auto-upgrade targets. GKE can upgrade control planes and nodes to the following new versions with this release: * GKE upgrades clusters to the following new minor versions if there are no factors, such as [maintenance exclusions](https://cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/concepts/maintenance-windows-and-exclusions#exclusions) or deprecated APIs, preventing upgrades: * 1.33 to [1.34.11-gke.1056000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.34#1-34-11-gke-1056000) * 1.34 to [1.35.8-gke.1380001](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.35#1-35-8-gke-1380001) * GKE upgrades clusters to the following new patch versions if no minor version upgrade is available, or if the cluster has [maintenance exclusions](https://cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/concepts/maintenance-windows-and-exclusions#exclusions) or other factors preventing minor version upgrades: * 1.34 to [1.34.11-gke.1056000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.34#1-34-11-gke-1056000) * 1.35 to [1.35.8-gke.1380001](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.35#1-35-8-gke-1380001) * 1.36 to [1.36.4-gke.1247000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.36#1-36-4-gke-1247000) ### Stable channel **Note**: Your clusters might not have these versions available. Rollouts are already in progress when we publish the release notes, and can take multiple days to complete across all Google Cloud zones. * Version [1.35.6-gke.1250001](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.35#1-35-6-gke-1250001) is now the default version for cluster creation in the Stable channel. * The following versions are now available in the Stable channel: * [1.34.11-gke.1044000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.34#1-34-11-gke-1044000) * [1.35.6-gke.1250001](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.35#1-35-6-gke-1250001) * The following versions are no longer available in the Stable channel: * 1.34.10-gke.1328000 is [deprecated](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/versioning#patch-version-support) in the Stable channel. This version will be removed in 90 days, or at the end of support, if sooner. * 1.35.6-gke.1250000 * Clusters in this channel running the listed minor version have new general auto-upgrade targets. GKE can upgrade control planes and nodes to the following new versions with this release: * GKE upgrades clusters to the following new minor versions if there are no factors, such as [maintenance exclusions](https://cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/concepts/maintenance-windows-and-exclusions#exclusions) or deprecated APIs, preventing upgrades: * 1.34 to [1.35.6-gke.1250001](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.35#1-35-6-gke-1250001) * GKE upgrades clusters to the following new patch versions if no minor version upgrade is available, or if the cluster has [maintenance exclusions](https://cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/concepts/maintenance-windows-and-exclusions#exclusions) or other factors preventing minor version upgrades: * 1.35 to [1.35.6-gke.1250001](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.35#1-35-6-gke-1250001) ### Extended channel **Note**: Your clusters might not have these versions available. Rollouts are already in progress when we publish the release notes, and can take multiple days to complete across all Google Cloud zones. * Version [1.36.4-gke.1247000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.36#1-36-4-gke-1247000) is now the default version for cluster creation in the Extended channel. * The following versions are now available in the Extended channel: * [1.31.14-gke.2704000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.31#1-31-14-gke-2704000) * [1.31.14-gke.2825000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.31#1-31-14-gke-2825000) * [1.32.13-gke.2427000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.32#1-32-13-gke-2427000) * [1.32.13-gke.2567000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.32#1-32-13-gke-2567000) * [1.33.13-gke.1647000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.33#1-33-13-gke-1647000) * [1.33.13-gke.1815000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.33#1-33-13-gke-1815000) * [1.34.11-gke.1102000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.34#1-34-11-gke-1102000) * [1.35.8-gke.1380001](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.35#1-35-8-gke-1380001) * [1.35.8-gke.1439001](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.35#1-35-8-gke-1439001) * [1.36.4-gke.1391000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.36#1-36-4-gke-1391000) * The following versions are no longer available in the Extended channel: * 1.31.14-gke.2667000 is [deprecated](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/versioning#patch-version-support) in the Extended channel. This version will be removed in 90 days, or at the end of support, if sooner. * 1.31.14-gke.2759000 is [deprecated](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/versioning#patch-version-support) in the Extended channel. This version will be removed in 90 days, or at the end of support, if sooner. * 1.32.13-gke.2393000 is [deprecated](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/versioning#patch-version-support) in the Extended channel. This version will be removed in 90 days, or at the end of support, if sooner. * 1.32.13-gke.2504000 is [deprecated](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/versioning#patch-version-support) in the Extended channel. This version will be removed in 90 days, or at the end of support, if sooner. * 1.33.13-gke.1613000 is [deprecated](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/versioning#patch-version-support) in the Extended channel. This version will be removed in 90 days, or at the end of support, if sooner. * 1.33.13-gke.1721000 is [deprecated](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/versioning#patch-version-support) in the Extended channel. This version will be removed in 90 days, or at the end of support, if sooner. * 1.34.11-gke.1044000 * 1.35.8-gke.1225000 * 1.35.8-gke.1380000 is [deprecated](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/versioning#patch-version-support) in the Extended channel. This version will be removed in 90 days, or at the end of support, if sooner. * 1.36.3-gke.1767000 is [deprecated](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/versioning#patch-version-support) in the Extended channel. This version will be removed in 90 days, or at the end of support, if sooner. * Clusters in this channel running the listed minor version have new general auto-upgrade targets. GKE can upgrade control planes and nodes to the following new versions with this release: * GKE upgrades clusters to the following new minor versions if there are no factors, such as [maintenance exclusions](https://cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/concepts/maintenance-windows-and-exclusions#exclusions) or deprecated APIs, preventing upgrades: * 1.30 to [1.31.14-gke.2689000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.31#1-31-14-gke-2689000) * 1.31 to [1.32.13-gke.2411000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.32#1-32-13-gke-2411000) * GKE upgrades clusters to the following new patch versions if no minor version upgrade is available, or if the cluster has [maintenance exclusions](https://cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/concepts/maintenance-windows-and-exclusions#exclusions) or other factors preventing minor version upgrades: * 1.31 to [1.31.14-gke.2689000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.31#1-31-14-gke-2689000) * 1.32 to [1.32.13-gke.2411000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.32#1-32-13-gke-2411000) * 1.33 to [1.33.13-gke.1636000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.33#1-33-13-gke-1636000) * 1.34 to [1.34.11-gke.1056000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.34#1-34-11-gke-1056000) * 1.35 to [1.35.8-gke.1380001](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.35#1-35-8-gke-1380001) * 1.36 to [1.36.4-gke.1247000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.36#1-36-4-gke-1247000) ### No channel (deprecated) **Note**: Your clusters might not have these versions available. Rollouts are already in progress when we publish the release notes, and can take multiple days to complete across all Google Cloud zones. * The following versions are now available: * [1.34.12-gke.1011000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.34#1-34-12-gke-1011000) * [1.35.6-gke.1250001](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.35#1-35-6-gke-1250001) * [1.35.8-gke.1380001](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.35#1-35-8-gke-1380001) * [1.35.8-gke.1439001](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.35#1-35-8-gke-1439001) * [1.35.8-gke.1626001](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.35#1-35-8-gke-1626001) * [1.35.8-gke.1796000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.35#1-35-8-gke-1796000) * [1.36.4-gke.2046000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.36#1-36-4-gke-2046000) * The following node versions are now available: * [1.31.14-gke.2825000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.31#1-31-14-gke-2825000) * [1.32.13-gke.2567000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.32#1-32-13-gke-2567000) * [1.33.13-gke.1815000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.33#1-33-13-gke-1815000) * [1.34.12-gke.1011000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.34#1-34-12-gke-1011000) * [1.35.6-gke.1250001](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.35#1-35-6-gke-1250001) * [1.35.8-gke.1380001](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.35#1-35-8-gke-1380001) * [1.35.8-gke.1439001](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.35#1-35-8-gke-1439001) * [1.35.8-gke.1626001](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.35#1-35-8-gke-1626001) * [1.35.8-gke.1796000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.35#1-35-8-gke-1796000) * [1.36.4-gke.2046000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.36#1-36-4-gke-2046000) * The following versions are no longer available: * 1.34.9-gke.1065000 is [deprecated](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/versioning#patch-version-support). This version will be removed in 90 days, or at the end of support, if sooner. * 1.34.10-gke.1328000 is [deprecated](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/versioning#patch-version-support). This version will be removed in 90 days, or at the end of support, if sooner. * 1.35.8-gke.1380000 is [deprecated](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/versioning#patch-version-support). This version will be removed in 90 days, or at the end of support, if sooner. * 1.35.8-gke.1439000 is [deprecated](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/versioning#patch-version-support). This version will be removed in 90 days, or at the end of support, if sooner. * 1.35.8-gke.1626000 is [deprecated](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/versioning#patch-version-support). This version will be removed in 90 days, or at the end of support, if sooner. * 1.36.3-gke.1767000 is [deprecated](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/versioning#patch-version-support). This version will be removed in 90 days, or at the end of support, if sooner. * Clusters in this channel running the listed minor version have new general auto-upgrade targets. GKE can upgrade control planes and nodes to the following new versions with this release: * GKE upgrades clusters to the following new minor versions if there are no factors, such as [maintenance exclusions](https://cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/concepts/maintenance-windows-and-exclusions#exclusions) or deprecated APIs, preventing upgrades: * 1.33 to [1.34.11-gke.1056000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.34#1-34-11-gke-1056000) * 1.34 to [1.35.6-gke.1250001](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.35#1-35-6-gke-1250001) * GKE upgrades clusters to the following new patch versions if no minor version upgrade is available, or if the cluster has [maintenance exclusions](https://cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/concepts/maintenance-windows-and-exclusions#exclusions) or other factors preventing minor version upgrades: * 1.34 to [1.34.11-gke.1056000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.34#1-34-11-gke-1056000) * 1.35 to [1.35.6-gke.1250001](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.35#1-35-6-gke-1250001) * 1.36 to [1.36.4-gke.1247000](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/changelogs/1.36#1-36-4-gke-1247000) ## Security Security #### (2026-R42) Security updates This release includes new GKE versions that use updated Container-Optimized OS images. These updated images are cumulative, incorporating security fixes from all Container-Optimized OS versions released since the previous GKE release. To identify the specific vulnerabilities that were resolved in each updated Container-Optimized OS image, see the **Security** release notes for that image. The following table includes links to the release notes for each updated Container-Optimized OS image: | GKE version | Container-Optimized OS version | Details | | -------------------------- | ------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 1.31.14-gke.2825000 | cos-121-18867-584-32 | [cos-121-18867-584-32 release notes](https://cloud.google.com/container-optimized-os/docs/release-notes/m121#cos-121-18867-584-32%5F) | | 1.32.13-gke.2567000 | cos-121-18867-584-32 | [cos-121-18867-584-32 release notes](https://cloud.google.com/container-optimized-os/docs/release-notes/m121#cos-121-18867-584-32%5F) | | 1.33.13-gke.1815000 | cos-121-18867-584-32 | [cos-121-18867-584-32 release notes](https://cloud.google.com/container-optimized-os/docs/release-notes/m121#cos-121-18867-584-32%5F) | | 1.34.12-gke.1011000 | cos-125-19216-655-40 | [cos-125-19216-655-40 release notes](https://cloud.google.com/container-optimized-os/docs/release-notes/m125#cos-125-19216-655-40%5F) | | 1.35.8-gke.1796000 | cos-125-19216-655-40 | [cos-125-19216-655-40 release notes](https://cloud.google.com/container-optimized-os/docs/release-notes/m125#cos-125-19216-655-40%5F) | | 1.38.0-gke.2240000+preview | cos-beta-133-19999-44-28 | [cos-beta-133-19999-44-28 release notes](https://cloud.google.com/container-optimized-os/docs/release-notes/m133#cos-beta-133-19999-44-28%5F) | ## Issue Issue In GKE control plane versions 1.36.3-gke.1244000 and later, Cloud Storage FUSE CSI driver (`gcsfusecsi-node`) DaemonSet Pods fail to start on specific node pools. The Pods crash and log the following error: ``` MountVolume.SetUp failed for volume "host-proc-sys-fs-fuse" : hostPath type check failed: /proc/sys/fs/fuse is not a directory. ``` This issue occurs during a version skew when node pools run an older kernel lacking the required host path (earlier than 6.12.67 for Container-Optimized OS, or earlier than 6.13 for Ubuntu). Affected node pool configurations include: * All Ubuntu with containerd (`ubuntu_containerd`) node pools. * Container-Optimized OS with containerd (`cos_containerd`) node pools on GKE versions 1.33 and earlier, 1.34 versions earlier than 1.34.6-gke.1154000, and 1.35 versions earlier than 1.35.3-gke.1389000. **Workaround**: For `cos_containerd` node pools, upgrade the node pool to a version with the required kernel support (for example, 1.34.6-gke.1154000 or later, 1.35.3-gke.1389000 or later, or match the control plane). For `ubuntu_containerd` node pools, a fix is in progress. Alternatively, downgrade the control plane to a version earlier than 1.36.3-gke.1244000. ## Feature Feature You can use Vertical Pod Autoscaler (VPA) with Horizontal Pod Autoscaler (HPA) to automatically optimize container CPU requests for workloads that scale replicas based on CPU utilization. This feature is available in Public Preview on clusters running GKE version 1.36.3-gke.1630000 or later. For more information, see[Rightsize HPA workloads with VPA](https://docs.cloud.google.com/kubernetes-engine/docs/how-to/rightsize-hpa-workloads-with-vpa).