How to Fix Low Disk Space Issues on Ubuntu Linux

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How to Fix Low Disk Space Issues on Ubuntu Linux While using Ubuntu Linux, you may encounter various issues caused by insufficient storage space.  Over time, the system may become slower, software updates may fail, or files may no longer be saved properly. 1. Why Disk Space Runs Out on Ubuntu Ubuntu is designed to manage storage efficiently, but disk usage can increase gradually due to several factors: Cached files created during system updates Log files that grow continuously over time Snap packages storing multiple revisions Unused packages and dependencies left behind Large user files accumulated in the home directory These files often grow unnoticed until the system begins to show warning signs. 2. Checking Current Disk Usage The first step in resolving low disk space issues is understanding the current storage situation . 2.1 Check Overall Disk Usage Run the following command in a terminal: df -h This command displays total disk size, used space, an...

Raspberry Pi Boot Failure

Raspberry Pi Boot Failure

Raspberry Pi Boot Failure


When using a Raspberry Pi, there may be cases where the system fails to boot. 

The device may not power on at all, the power LED may turn on without any display output, or the system may enter a reboot loop. 

Although these symptoms can appear to be serious hardware failures, the actual cause is often quite simple.

Unlike typical desktop computers, Raspberry Pi requires users to manage the boot environment more directly. 

For this reason, it is important to understand and follow a clear and systematic troubleshooting process.


1. Understanding the Raspberry Pi Boot Process

Before troubleshooting, it helps to understand how Raspberry Pi boots:

  1. Power is supplied

  2. Bootloader runs

  3. SD card or USB storage is detected

  4. Boot files are loaded

  5. Linux kernel starts

  6. Raspberry Pi OS launches

If any step fails, the boot process stops. 

This is why troubleshooting should always begin with the earliest stages.


2. Step 1: Check the Power Supply

Power issues are the most common cause of boot failures.

2.1 What to Check

  • Use of a power adapter that meets recommended specifications

  • Condition of the power cable

  • Insufficient output from USB ports or power strips

Raspberry Pi models—especially Raspberry Pi 4 and newer—require stable power. Low voltage can cause boot interruption or repeated restarts.


2.2 Troubleshooting Tips

  • Use the official power adapter

  • Try a different adapter or cable

  • Disconnect unnecessary USB devices and retry



3. Step 2: Observe the Power and Activity LEDs

Raspberry Pi uses onboard LEDs to indicate system status:

  • Red LED: Power status

  • Green LED: SD card activity

LED Indicators

  • Red LED off: power problem

  • Red LED on, green LED inactive: SD card or boot issue

  • Green LED blinking in a pattern: possible boot file error

These indicators provide valuable clues about how far the system progresses during boot.



4. Step 3: Check the SD Card

The SD card is the most frequent source of Raspberry Pi boot problems.

4.1 Common Issues

  • Physical damage

  • File system corruption

  • Worn-out SD cards

  • Low-quality or counterfeit cards


4.2 What to Do

  • Test with a different SD card

  • Check SD card recognition on another computer

  • Reinstall Raspberry Pi OS using Raspberry Pi Imager

Using a reliable, high-quality SD card improves long-term stability.



5. Step 4: Verify the Raspberry Pi OS Image

Even if the SD card works, the OS image may be incorrect.

Key Points

  • Incomplete or corrupted downloads

  • Incorrect OS for the Raspberry Pi model

  • 32-bit vs 64-bit architecture mismatch

Using the official Raspberry Pi Imager ensures compatibility and reduces installation errors.



6. Step 5: Check HDMI and Display Connections

In many cases, Raspberry Pi boots successfully but nothing appears on the screen.

What to Inspect

  • HDMI cable condition

  • Monitor input source selection

  • Correct HDMI port usage (Raspberry Pi 4 has two ports)

Connecting to the wrong HDMI port can result in no display output.



7. Step 6: Boot with a Minimal Hardware Setup

Some USB peripherals can interfere with booting.

7.1 Potential Causes

  • High-power USB devices

  • Incompatible keyboards or mice

  • External storage devices


7.2 Recommended Test

  • Connect only power and SD card

  • Boot the system

  • Add peripherals one at a time after confirmation

This method helps isolate problematic devices.



8. Step 7: Check Configuration File Errors (config.txt)

Advanced users may encounter boot failures due to incorrect configuration settings.

Common Mistakes

  • Incorrect HDMI parameters

  • Overclocking misconfiguration

  • GPU memory allocation errors

If boot fails after configuration changes, testing with a clean OS image can quickly identify the cause.



9. Step 8: Verify Network Access in Headless Setups

In headless environments, the system may be running even without display output.

How to Check

  • Look for an IP address on the router

  • Use a network scanning tool

  • Attempt an SSH connection

If SSH works, the Raspberry Pi has booted successfully.



10. Step 9: USB Boot Troubleshooting

When using USB storage for booting, additional factors apply:

  • Bootloader configuration

  • USB device compatibility

  • Increased power requirements

USB booting typically requires more stable power than SD card booting.



11. Step 10: Consider Hardware Damage

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, hardware damage may be possible.

Possible Causes

  • Long-term power instability

  • Electrostatic discharge

  • Physical impact

Testing the same SD card on another Raspberry Pi board can help confirm whether the issue is hardware-related.



12. Summary

Most Raspberry Pi boot issues stem from:

  • Power supply problems

  • SD card or OS image errors

  • Display and peripheral configuration issues

Instead of reinstalling blindly, following a structured troubleshooting sequence

'power → storage → OS → display → peripherals'

makes problem resolution faster and more reliable.

By methodically checking each component, most boot problems can be resolved without difficulty.

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