Kernel Module Loading Errors - Troubleshooting Guide

Kernel Module Loading Errors - Troubleshooting Guide

Hardware not working, kernel modules failing to load, system errors in dmesg. This guide gives you immediate steps to diagnose and fix kernel module loading errors—now. No theory, just action.

For setting up monitoring to prevent this in the future, see System Kernel Module Health Monitoring Guide after you've resolved the immediate crisis.

60-Second Triage

Run these commands in order:

# Step 1: Check loaded modules (takes 5 seconds)
lsmod | head -20

# Step 2: View module errors (takes 10 seconds)
dmesg | grep -i "module.*error\|module.*fail" | tail -20

# Step 3: Check module status (takes 5 seconds)
modinfo module-name

# Step 4: Verify module files (takes 5 seconds)
find /lib/modules/$(uname -r) -name "module-name.ko"

Common Module Issues and Quick Fixes

Symptoms of Kernel Module Loading Errors

Module loading errors manifest in several ways:

• Hardware not detected: Hardware devices aren't recognized
• Module load failures: Modules fail to load with errors
• System errors: Kernel messages show module errors
• Functionality missing: System features don't work

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

Step 1: Identify Module Loading Errors

When modules fail to load:

1. Check Kernel Messages:

   dmesg | grep -i "module.*error\|module.*fail" | tail -20
   

2. View Module Status:

   lsmod | grep module-name
   

3. Check Module Information:

   modinfo module-name
   

Step 2: Investigate Module Issues

Once you identify module errors:

1. Check Module Dependencies:

   modinfo module-name | grep depends
   

2. Verify Module Files:

   find /lib/modules/$(uname -r) -name "module-name.ko"
   

3. Check Module Conflicts:

   lsmod | grep -E "conflicting|similar"
   

Step 3: Fix Module Loading Issues

When module issues are identified:

1. Load Module Manually:

   sudo modprobe module-name
   

2. Load Dependencies First:

   for dep in $(modinfo module-name | grep depends | awk -F: '{print $2}' | tr ',' ' '); do
     sudo modprobe $dep
   done
   sudo modprobe module-name
   

3. Install Missing Modules:

   sudo apt install linux-modules-extra-$(uname -r)
   

Step 4: Prevent Future Module Issues

To prevent module loading errors:

1. Monitor Module Health Continuously:

   • Use Zuzia.app to monitor module status
   • Set up alerts for module failures
   • Track module loading patterns

2. Verify Module Compatibility:

   • Check module compatibility with kernel version
   • Test modules after kernel updates
   • Maintain module documentation

Automatic Detection with Zuzia.app

Zuzia.app automatically monitors kernel modules and detects loading errors:

• Checks module status every few minutes
• Detects module loading failures immediately
• Sends alerts when modules fail to load
• Tracks module health over time

Set up module monitoring in Zuzia.app to prevent loading errors:

1. Add scheduled task: dmesg | grep -i "module.*error\|module.*fail" | tail -10
2. Configure alerts for module loading failures
3. Monitor module health continuously

Best Practices for Preventing Module Loading Errors

1. Monitor Module Health Continuously

Don't wait for module failures:

• Use Zuzia.app for continuous module monitoring
• Set up alerts before module issues become critical
• Review module status regularly

2. Test Modules After Updates

Test modules after kernel updates:

• Verify modules load correctly
• Check hardware functionality
• Test module dependencies

3. Maintain Module Documentation

Keep module documentation current:

• Document all module requirements
• Maintain module compatibility information
• Update documentation when modules change

FAQ: Common Questions About Module Loading Errors

How do I know if kernel modules are failing to load?

Check kernel messages: dmesg | grep -i "module.*error\|module.*fail". Check module status: lsmod | grep module-name. Verify hardware: Check if hardware is detected.

What should I do immediately when modules fail to load?

Immediately check kernel messages: dmesg | grep -i "module.*error\|module.*fail" | tail -20. Check module dependencies: modinfo module-name | grep depends. Load module manually: sudo modprobe module-name. Install missing modules if needed.

Can module loading errors cause system instability?

Yes, if critical modules fail to load, system functionality can be compromised and hardware may not work.

How can Zuzia.app help prevent module loading errors?

Zuzia.app monitors module status continuously, detects module loading failures immediately, sends alerts when modules fail to load, and tracks module health over time.

Related guides, recipes, and problems

• Related guides

  • System Kernel Module Health Monitoring Guide
  • Server Performance Monitoring Best Practices

• Related recipes

  • Check Kernel Module Status
  • Monitor System Boot Time Performance

• Related problems

  • System Resource Quota Exhaustion
  • System Updates Breaking Services