Ubuntu, a popular Linux distribution, is known for its robustness and reliability. However, like any other operating system, it can sometimes encounter errors during boot. One such error is the “Failed to start Show Plymouth Boot Screen” error. This error can occur due to various reasons, such as a sudden power interruption or issues with SELinux. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to resolve this issue and get your Ubuntu system up and running again.
To fix the "Failed to start Show Plymouth Boot Screen" error in Ubuntu, you can try accessing the GRUB menu, entering recovery mode, gaining root access, remounting the root filesystem, configuring Plymouth, updating initramfs, and rebooting the system. These steps should help resolve the issue and get your Ubuntu system up and running again.
Understanding the Error
The Plymouth is a boot screen (splash screen) presented while booting the operating system. It provides a graphical interface for the boot process, instead of text messages. If the system fails to start the Plymouth boot screen, it indicates that there might be an issue with the system’s boot process.
Steps to Fix the Error
The following steps will guide you on how to fix the “Failed to start Show Plymouth Boot Screen” error.
Step 1: Accessing the GRUB Menu
When you start your computer, press and hold the Shift key. This will bring up the GRUB bootloader menu. From this menu, select the “Advanced options for Ubuntu” option.
Step 2: Entering Recovery Mode
From the “Advanced options” menu, select the “Recovery mode” option. This will load the system in recovery mode.
Step 3: Gaining Root Access
After the system loads in recovery mode, you will see a menu with several options. Select the “root” option to drop to a root shell prompt.
Step 4: Remounting the Root Filesystem
At the root shell prompt, type the following command:
mount -o remount,rw /This command remounts the root filesystem as read-write. The -o option specifies the mount options, and remount,rw tells the system to remount the filesystem with read and write permissions.
Step 5: Configuring Plymouth
Next, run the following command:
sudo update-alternatives --config default.plymouthThis command allows you to select the appropriate Plymouth theme. You can choose between different options such as ubuntu-logo or bgrt.
Step 6: Updating initramfs
After selecting the Plymouth theme, update the initramfs by running:
sudo update-initramfs -c -k $(uname -r)The update-initramfs command updates the initial ramdisk for preloading modules. The -c option creates a new initramfs and -k specifies the kernel version. $(uname -r) outputs the current kernel version.
Step 7: Rebooting the System
Finally, reboot your system by typing:
rebootConclusion
By following these steps, you should be able to fix the “Failed to start Show Plymouth Boot Screen” error in Ubuntu. If the issue persists, it may be due to other underlying system issues. In such cases, it is recommended to seek help from the Ubuntu community or professional system administrators. Remember, troubleshooting is a process of elimination. Stay patient and persistent, and you will resolve the issue.
The GRUB (Grand Unified Bootloader) is a bootloader menu that appears when you start your computer. It allows you to choose which operating system or kernel to boot into.
To access the GRUB menu in Ubuntu, start your computer and press and hold the Shift key until the menu appears.
Recovery mode in Ubuntu is a system boot option that loads the system with minimal services and allows you to perform troubleshooting tasks, such as fixing boot issues or repairing packages.
Remounting the root filesystem means changing the way the filesystem is mounted, specifically from read-only (ro) to read-write (rw). This allows you to make changes to the filesystem.
Initramfs (initial ramdisk filesystem) is a temporary filesystem that is loaded into memory during the boot process. It contains essential files and drivers needed to mount the real root filesystem and initialize the system.
You can update the initramfs in Ubuntu by using the update-initramfs command. For example, sudo update-initramfs -c -k $(uname -r) creates a new initramfs for the current kernel version.
If the error persists, it may indicate other underlying system issues. It is recommended to seek help from the Ubuntu community or professional system administrators for further assistance in troubleshooting the problem.
