If you’re a user of Ubuntu MATE 18.04 and have encountered the error “Can’t Read Superblock on /dev/mapper/veracrypt1” while trying to mount your encrypted partition, this guide is for you. This error typically occurs after a system freeze and an improper power off. In this article, we will walk you through a step-by-step solution to this problem.
To fix the "Can’t Read Superblock on /dev/mapper/veracrypt1" error in Ubuntu MATE 18.04, you can use Veracrypt’s GUI application to repair the superblock. Simply launch Veracrypt, prevent the partition from mounting, and then repair the partition. This process will recreate the superblock based on the backup superblock, allowing you to successfully mount the encrypted partition and access your data.
Understanding the Issue
The superblock is a critical data structure in the filesystem. It contains information about the filesystem such as its size, the status of the filesystem, the time it was last mounted, and so on. When the superblock is corrupted or cannot be read, the system cannot access the filesystem, leading to the “Can’t Read Superblock” error.
In this case, the error is occurring on an encrypted partition, specifically on /dev/mapper/veracrypt1. This suggests that the superblock on this encrypted partition has been corrupted or cannot be read.
The Solution
The solution to this issue involves using the GUI application of Veracrypt and repairing the superblock. Here’s how you can do it:
- Launch Veracrypt: Start the Veracrypt application on your system.
- Expand Options: In the Veracrypt GUI, select the “Options” button. This will expand the popup that asks for the password of the drive/partition/file.
- Prevent Mounting: In the expanded options, find the checkbox that prevents the partition from mounting. Select this option.
- Repair the Partition: After selecting the option to prevent mounting, right-click on the mapped but not mounted drive/partition/file and choose the “Repair” option.
This process will initiate a repair of the superblock on the encrypted partition. Once the repair is complete, you should be able to mount the partition and access your data.
Understanding the Repair Process
The repair process essentially involves recreating the superblock based on the backup superblock. The filesystem typically maintains multiple copies of the superblock for situations like this. The repair process finds a backup superblock that is not corrupted and uses it to recreate the main superblock.
Conclusion
The “Can’t Read Superblock on /dev/mapper/veracrypt1” error in Ubuntu MATE 18.04 can be quite frustrating, especially if you have important data on the encrypted partition. However, with the help of Veracrypt’s GUI application and the repair process, you can fix the error and regain access to your data. Remember to always shut down your system properly to prevent such errors in the future.
Veracrypt is a free open-source disk encryption software that allows you to create encrypted partitions or virtual disks to protect your data.
To install Veracrypt on Ubuntu MATE 18.04, you can use the following commands in the terminal:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:unit193/encryption
sudo apt update
sudo apt install veracryptTo launch Veracrypt, you can search for "Veracrypt" in the application menu or open a terminal and type veracrypt.
Yes, Veracrypt supports full system encryption. During the installation process, you can choose to encrypt the entire system disk, including the root partition.
It is possible to recover data from a corrupted superblock, but it can be a complex process and may require specialized tools. It is always recommended to have backups of your important data to avoid data loss in such situations.
To prevent future superblock corruption, ensure that you always shut down your system properly. Avoid abrupt power-offs or system freezes as they can lead to superblock corruption. Regularly backing up your data is also important to mitigate the impact of any potential data loss.
