When running a Virtual Private Server (VPS) on Ubuntu 18.04 LTS, you might encounter an issue where the WireGuard kernel module fails to load. This can be a frustrating problem, but thankfully, it is relatively straightforward to resolve. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to fix this issue.
To fix the WireGuard module loading issue on Ubuntu 18.04 server, you need to check and install kernel headers, verify the location of the WireGuard module, create a symlink if necessary, and load the WireGuard module using the modprobe command.
Prerequisites
Before we start, ensure that you have:
- Administrative access to your Ubuntu 18.04 server
- A basic understanding of Linux command-line interface
Step 1: Check and Install Kernel Headers
The first step is to check if the kernel headers are installed on your server. Kernel headers are vital for building modules against the kernel and are required for WireGuard to function properly.
To verify the presence of kernel headers, run the following command:
sudo apt-get install linux-headers-$(uname -r)This command will attempt to install the kernel headers for your current kernel version. If the headers are already installed, the command will return a message stating that the headers are already at the newest version.
Step 2: Verify the Location of the WireGuard Module
Next, you need to verify the location of the WireGuard module. Sometimes, the installer might place the module in a different directory than where modprobe is looking, causing the module to fail to load.
To check the location of the WireGuard module, use the following command:
sudo find /lib/modules/ -name wireguard.koThis command will search the /lib/modules/ directory for the wireguard.ko file, which is the WireGuard module. Note down the directory where the module is located.
Step 3: Create a Symlink
If modprobe is looking in a different directory than where the WireGuard module is located, you need to create a symlink from the actual module directory to the directory where modprobe is looking.
For example, if the module is located in /lib/modules/4.15.0-62-generic/updates/dkms and modprobe is looking in /lib/modules/4.15.0/, you would run the following command:
sudo ln -s /lib/modules/4.15.0-62-generic/updates/dkms /lib/modules/4.15.0/This command creates a symlink, allowing modprobe to find the WireGuard module in the correct location.
Step 4: Load the WireGuard Module
After creating the symlink, you can try loading the WireGuard module again using the following command:
sudo modprobe wireguardIf everything went well, the command should return without any errors, indicating that the WireGuard module was loaded successfully.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve walked you through the steps to fix the WireGuard module loading issue on Ubuntu 18.04 server. We’ve covered how to check and install kernel headers, verify the location of the WireGuard module, create a symlink if necessary, and load the WireGuard module.
Remember, if you’re using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), the solution mentioned above may not work as WSL has its own set of complexities.
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to resolve the WireGuard module loading issue and get your VPN up and running again.
WireGuard is a modern, open-source VPN protocol that aims to be faster, simpler, and more secure than traditional VPN protocols.
The WireGuard kernel module may fail to load due to missing kernel headers or if the module is located in a different directory than where modprobe is looking.
You can check if kernel headers are installed by running the command sudo apt-get install linux-headers-$(uname -r). If the headers are already installed, the command will return a message stating that they are at the newest version.
To verify the location of the WireGuard module, use the command sudo find /lib/modules/ -name wireguard.ko. This command will search the /lib/modules/ directory for the wireguard.ko file and display the directory where it is located.
If the WireGuard module is located in a different directory than where modprobe is looking, you can create a symlink from the actual module directory to the directory where modprobe is looking. Use the command sudo ln -s /actual/module/directory /desired/module/directory to create the symlink.
After creating the symlink, you can load the WireGuard module by running the command sudo modprobe wireguard. If the module loads successfully, the command will return without any errors.
The solution mentioned in this guide may not work for Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) as WSL has its own set of complexities.
