How to Fix Systemctl Command Not Found Error on Linux

Linux operating systems use the “systemctl” command to control the “systemd” system and service manager, which is responsible for initializing system components after booting and managing system processes. However, when the “systemctl” a command is not recognized or found it means your system either lacks the “systemd” package or has an issue with the installation.

In the following article, we will explore some methods to resolve the systemctl error: command not found on Linux and guide you through troubleshooting and resolving this error.

Understanding the Error

Before attempting to fix the error it is important to understand why is systemctl not found. The error can appear for several reasons:

1. The systemd the package is not installed.
2. The PATH environment variable does not include the directory where systemctl is located.
3. You’re using a Linux distribution or version which does not use systemd.

Troubleshooting Steps

Here are some troubleshooting steps on how to install systemctl Linux and command not found issue:

Step 1: Verify if systemd is Installed

The first step in troubleshooting is to make sure systemd is installed on your system. Run the following command in your terminal:

ps --no-headers -o comm 1

Or you can check the systemd version with the following command:

systemd --version

If the output of the above command is systemd, then systemd is your init system. If it’s not, then your system may be using another init system like system V or Upstart.

Step 2: Check Your PATH Environment Variable

If systemd is installed but the systemctl command isn’t found, check if your PATH environment variable includes the directory where systemctl resides.

echo $PATH

It should include /bin/, /usr/bin/, or /usr/local/bin/, as these directories typically contain systemctl. If not, add them to your PATH.

export PATH=$PATH:/usr/bin/

Adjust the path accordingly if your systemctl utility is located in a different directory. To make the change permanent, add the export line to your ~/.bashrc or the ~/.profile file.

Step 3: Install systemd

If systemd is not installed and your distribution supports it, install it using your package manager. Here’s how to fix systemd not found on some of the major Linux distributions:

• For Debian-based systems

sudo apt-get install systemd

• For CentOS/Fedora-based systems

sudo yum install systemd
sudo dnf install systemd

• For the Arch Linux system

sudo pacman -Syu systemd

Remember to reboot after installing systemd for changes to take effect.

Step 4: Using a System with Another Init System

If your distribution doesn’t use it, you’ll likely use the service command to manage services. The commands will differ slightly. For example, if using the Uncomplicated Firewall as a service name with a service command:

sudo service ufw status

Check your distribution’s documentation for precise commands.

Step 5: Symbolic Link as a Temporary Fix

As a temporary workaround if for some reason systemd is installed but systemctl is still not found create a symbolic link in Linux to its binary.

sudo ln -s /path/to/systemctl /usr/bin/systemctl

Replace /path/to/systemctl with its actual path which can be found using the Find command in Linux like find / -name systemctl.

Conclusion

The “systemctl command not found” error can prevent proper system management on Linux but can be resolved by ensuring systemd is installed and properly configured. It’s also essential to understand whether your version of Linux uses systemd in the first place. Always ensure compatibility and stability of your system before making changes.

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