26 December, 2024 by Ashley

systemctl command not found

The “systemctl command not found” error occurs when Ubuntu can’t recognize or locate the systemctl command, essential for managing services and processes in Linux systems using systemd.

This can hinder system administration and troubleshooting tasks.

Common Causes of systemctl Command Not Found Ubuntu:

Your system may not use systemd (common in older or minimal Ubuntu versions).
The systemd package might be missing or misconfigured.
The PATH environment variable doesn’t include the directory for systemctl.
You’re on WSL 1, which doesn’t natively support systemd.

To fix this error quickly:

Verify if your system uses systemd, install or reinstall it using sudo apt install systemd, and reboot to apply the changes.
For non-systemd systems, fallback solutions like sudo service commands can help manage services effectively.

Table of Contents

Systemctl Command Not Found on Ubuntu: Quick Solutions

This guide breaks down the reasons and provides trusted, step-by-step solutions to fix the systemctl: command not found error on Ubuntu and get your system back on track.

If you’re experiencing systemctl issues on an outdated or misconfigured Ubuntu setup, consider resolving them by purchasing a reliable Linux VPS for enhanced performance.

1. Verify If Your System Uses systemd

Ubuntu primarily uses the systemd init system, but not all versions or configurations include it.

If your system uses an older init system (like SysVinit or Upstart), the systemctl command won’t work.

Check the command below:

ps -p 1 -o comm=

If the output is systemd, proceed to the next steps.
If not, you’ll need to upgrade your system or use alternative commands like sudo service.

2. Ensure systemd Is Installed

If systemd is not installed or is misconfigured, you may encounter errors like sudo systemctl command not found.

Installing or reinstalling systemd resolves this issue. Run the commands below to install/reinstall systemd:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install --reinstall systemd

Once the installation is finished, restar your system:

sudo reboot

3. Check and Fix the PATH Environment Variable

Sometimes, the systemctl binary exists but isn’t accessible because its directory isn’t included in the PATH variable. This leads to the error “Ubuntu systemctl command not found”.

To Fix PATH, run:

echo $PATH
export PATH=$PATH:/usr/bin

To make this change permanent, add the export line to your shell’s configuration file (~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc).

Tip: Before editing critical files like /etc/profile or ~/.bashrc, create a backup to safeguard against potential misconfigurations. For example:

cp ~/.bashrc ~/.bashrc.backup

4. Update WSL for Ubuntu on Windows

If you’re running Ubuntu on Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), note that WSL 1 doesn’t support systemctl, causing errors like sudo: systemctl: command not found.

Upgrading to WSL 2 is necessary. To do this, run the command below to enable the Virtual Machine Platform in Windows first:

wsl --set-default-version 2

Once done, reinstall Ubuntu to ensure compatibility.

5. Use Alternatives for Non-systemd Systems

For systems that don’t support systemd, use the older sudo service command to manage services.

Here are some examples:

Start a service:

sudo service <service_name> start

Stop a service:

sudo service <service_name> stop

Note: If you need more details on managing services with systemctl, including how to start, stop, or restart them on your VPS, refer to start, stop, restart services in Linux VPS guide.

6. Reboot to Refresh Configuration

Sometimes, even after installing or fixing systemctl or systemd, Ubuntu doesn’t immediately recognize the updates or changes to configuration files.

This can result in the systemctl command not found error persisting due to cached settings or old session states.

Rebooting the system reloads the kernel, environment variables, and services, ensuring that all recent changes are applied correctly.

To reboot, run:

sudo reboot

After the system restarts, retry the systemctl command to verify the issue is resolved:

systemctl --version

If the version is displayed, the problem is fixed. This simple step is often overlooked but can be a critical part of the solution.

Check System Logs for Specific Errors

If the “systemctl: command not found” error persists even after implementing the solutions above, examining the system logs can reveal hidden issues, such as configuration conflicts or service errors.

Run the following command to view system logs and investigate the error:

journalctl -xe

Look for entries related to systemctl or systemd to identify any lingering problems. Addressing these issues can often resolve complex cases.

Conclusion

The systemctl command not found error can disrupt Ubuntu’s service management and system administration.

This guide has explained the root causes, from missing systemd installations to PATH misconfigurations and incompatible init systems.

By following these solutions, you will confidently restore full functionality to your Ubuntu system.