Common Reasons for Ubuntu Crashes and How to Recover

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Any operating system can crash, including Ubuntu. If you are running Linux and have a problem, here are a few reasons and solutions to help you get out of your crash.

If Ubuntu hangs, the first thing to try is toreboot your system. Sometimes you might have to do a cold boot. Power your computer off and then bring it back up. Restarting your computer resolves many problems such as low memory, application crashes, and the browser hangs.

Make note of what you did just before the computer crashed. If it always happens while using a specific application, research to find out if there are any updates or known issues. Some applications are known to crash at times, such asAudacityand OpenShot Video Editor.

To resolve application issues, restart, repair or reload the software. Or, notify the people who created it.

Firefox updates have also caused Linux to freeze. You may have to avoid using Firefox until they fix the issues.

If an application is not causing your problem, you may be out of room on your hard drive or have a hardware issue.

This article covers the following ways to diagnose and recover from a crash:

How To Free Up Hard Drive Space

Ubuntu doesn’t have the same disk clean-up tools and built-in defrag like Windows. So, what can you do to free up some disk space?

The last bullet point above might seem counterintuitive. Linux updates free up space as opposed to Windows updates that take up more space.

Low Memory

If you are running Ubuntu and your system randomly crashes, you may be running out of memory. Low memory could be caused by opening more applications or data files than will fit in the memory you have installed.

If that is the problem, do not open so much at one time or upgrade to more memory on your computer.

Another cause of low memory is a failing RAM. Run a memory test to determine whether your RAM memory is bad.

How To Perform a Memory Test

Should the test find any errors, you need to replace one of your RAM memory cards.

Other Hardware Failures

If your computer powers off and will not power on at all (has no lights and no sounds), first check to make sure there is power at the outlet. The most likely cause if you have power at the outlet is a bad power supply.

If it tries to power up and then powers back down within 30 seconds, you may have a slow or non-moving fan. Or the sensor that detects fan speed may be failing.

Other components that can cause your computer to crash are:

You can alsotest your hard drivefor failures yourself. A certain number of errors are acceptable. Even new hard drives already have some errors.

If you know how to do your own repairs, replace the failing component. Otherwise, have your computer technician repair your machine.

Intermittent Hardware Problems

The most common causes of sporadic problems are overheating memory failures and hard drive errors.

If testing doesn’t identify the failing component, you may have to replace them one at a time until you find the problem.

Recovering From an X Server Crash

Linux systems provide multiple ways to recover from a crash. The easiest way is a reboot. But there are other methods:

Boot Linux From Another Source

What if your computer powers on but refuse to load Linux? You could have a bad hard drive, or the operating system files could be corrupted.

If you have made an Ubuntu Live CD or USB, you can boot from that other operating system.

You need to have done this in advance. Or, you make a Live boot on a different computer.

SeeTools To Create A Bootable Linux USB DriveorHow to Build Your Own Bootable Linux Live CDfor detailed instructions.

Many factors can cause your system to crash. There isn’t one solution. In the worst-case scenario, if none of the above suggestions work, you may need a new computer or a good computer technician.

David has a background in small business and lives in Australia. He is a WordPress and Ubuntu Developer who enjoys design, CSS and tech tool integration.Read David’s Full Bio

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Common Reasons for Ubuntu Crashes and How to Recover#

How To Free Up Hard Drive Space#

Low Memory#

How To Perform a Memory Test#

Other Hardware Failures#

Intermittent Hardware Problems#

Recovering From an X Server Crash#

Boot Linux From Another Source#

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