How to Fix an Ubuntu Error:(initramfs) _

How to Fix an Ubuntu Error: “No init found. Try passing init= bootarg”

Last night after a series of power cuts, my PC wount boot, after each boot attempt my system out put this error messages:

mount: mounting /dev/disk/by-uuid/***************************** on /root
failed: Invalid argument
mount: mounting /sys on /root/sys failed: No such file or directory
mount: mounting /dev on /root/dev failed: No such file or directory
mount: mounting /sys on /root/sys failed: No such file or directory
mount: mounting /proc on /root/proc failed: No such file or directory
Target file system doesn’t have /sbin/init
No init found. Try passing init= bootarg

Busybox v1.13.3 (Ubuntu 1:1.13.3-1ubuntu7) built-in shell (ash)
Enter ‘help’ for a list of built-in commands
(initramfs) _

Booting into “Recovery Mode” as well as choosing the other kernels listed in grub didn’t help at all.

Solution:

1. Boot from the Ubuntu Live CD;

2. Open/Run Terminal;

3. Type: sudo fdisk -l (to get the device name) then press ENTER;

Disk /dev/sda: 250.1 GB, 250059350016 bytes
255 heads, 63 sectors/track, 30401 cylinders
Units = cylinders of 16065 * 512 = 8225280 bytes
Disk identifier: **********

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 1 30238 242886703+ 83 Linux
/dev/sda2 30239 30401 1309297+ 5 Extended
/dev/sda5 30239 30401 1309266 82 Linux swap / Solaris

The device name for my friend’s system based on the above: /dev/sda1

4. Type: sudo fsck /dev/sda1 then press ENTER;

5. Restart the system and boot normally.

* The laptop booted normally after the fix.

25 thoughts on “How to Fix an Ubuntu Error:(initramfs) _

  1. Hello,
    But i’m confused in following partition list. It showing hard disk partition or ubuntu live cd partition.
    Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
    /dev/sda1 * 1 30238 242886703+ 83 Linux
    /dev/sda2 30239 30401 1309297+ 5 Extended
    /dev/sda5 30239 30401 1309266 82 Linux swap / Solaris.

    if this is hard disk partition list then we can run this command “sudo fsck /dev/sda1”.
    But if this is ubuntu live cd partition list then how to know , my ubuntu partition which we have to repair file system.

  2. Thank you so much for the advice as I’m not computer savvy.
    I just typed in exactly what is written on 3 and 4
    and “Hey Presto” Ubuntus up and running again.

    Love Light and Peace Fitzy

  3. i have the CD-live but i used it, but again i have the same error… i only have the initramfs for do something and the built in commands 😦 please helpppppppppppppppppp i can’t enter to the console (sorry for my english)

  4. Computer up and running then I went to address the issue in recovery mode again to make sure, right could not stand another down time! So got the unused files rid of and then free up the space and some other things, still running though

  5. wowww u saved me iam able to get back to login into my pc and all data is safe………thank u very much ………

  6. I am having the same issue now.Even after using the LIVE CD downloaded from Website for [Ubuntu 14.04.2 LTS]. After booting the device with this CD still i am forced with INITRAMFS error only. Can you throw some light towards this.

  7. Sir, I follow your steps above in fixing the initramfs error but nothing happens, still prompted with same error, please help

  8. Dude it showing this error

    root@ubuntu:/# sudo fsck /dev/sda1
    fsck from util-linux 2.27.1
    e2fsck 1.42.13 (17-May-2015)
    /dev/sda1 is mounted.
    e2fsck: Cannot continue, aborting.

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