Docker container not configured to use systemd

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 62 views

Introduction

As a Docker user, you may have encountered the error "System has not been booted with systemd as init system" when trying to use the systemctl command in your container. This error can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to manage your services or troubleshoot issues. In this article, we'll explore the possible causes of this error and provide a step-by-step guide to resolve it.

Understanding the Error

The error "System has not been booted with systemd as init system" typically occurs when you're trying to use the systemctl command in a Docker container that's not configured to use systemd as its init system. By default, Docker containers use the init process as their init system, which is not compatible with systemd.

Possible Causes

There are several possible causes of this error:

Docker container not configured to use systemd: As mentioned earlier, Docker containers use the init process by default, which is not compatible with systemd.
Systemd not installed or configured correctly: Even if you've installed systemd, it may not be configured correctly or may not be running as the init system.
Container not started with systemd: If you're trying to use systemctl in a container that's not started with systemd, you'll encounter this error.

Troubleshooting Steps

To resolve the "System has not been booted with systemd as init system" error, follow these troubleshooting steps:

Step 1: Check if systemd is installed

First, check if systemd is installed in your Docker container. You can do this by running the following command:

dpkg -s systemd

If systemd is installed, you should see a list of its dependencies and configuration files.

Step 2: Check if systemd is running

Next, check if systemd is running as the init system in your container. You can do this by running the following command:

systemctl status

If systemd is running, you should see a list of its services and their status.

Step 3: Check the container's init system

To check the container's init system, run the following command:

ps -ef | grep init

This will show you the process ID and name of the init process running in your container.

Step 4: Update the container's init system

If the container's init system is not systemd, you'll need to update it to use systemd. You can do this by running the following command:

update-initramfs -u

This will update the container's initramfs to use systemd as the init system.

Step 5: Restart the container

After updating the container's init system, restart the container to apply the changes.

Step 6: Verify the container's init system

Finally, verify that the container's init system is now systemd by running the following command:

ps -ef | grep init

This should show you that the init process is now systemd.

Conclusion

The "System has not been booted with systemd as init system" error can be frustrating, but it's often caused by a simple misconfiguration or a missing dependency. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve the error and get your Docker container up and running with systemd as its init system.

Additional Tips and Resources

Use the --init flag: When running a Docker container, you can use the --init flag to specify the init system to use. For example: docker run -it --init --name my-container ubuntu:18.04
Use a Dockerfile: If you're building a Docker image from a Dockerfile, you can specify the init system to use by adding the following line to your Dockerfile: RUN update-initramfs -u
Check the Docker documentation: For more information on using systemd with Docker, check out the official Docker documentation: https://docs.docker.com/engine/reference/run/#init

Common Issues and Solutions

Error: "systemd not found": If you encounter the error "systemd not found" when trying to use systemctl, it's likely because systemd is not installed or configured correctly. Try reinstalling systemd or checking its configuration files.
Error: "init system not found": If you encounter the error "init system not found" when trying to use systemctl, it's likely because the container's init system is not systemd. Try updating the container's init system to use systemd.

Conclusion

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the possible causes of the "System has not been booted with systemd as init system" error and provided a step-by-step guide to resolve it. However, we understand that sometimes, a simple guide may not be enough to answer all your questions. That's why we've put together this Q&A article to provide more information and clarify any doubts you may have.

Q: What is the difference between init and systemd?

A: init is the traditional init system used in Linux systems, while systemd is a more modern init system that provides a number of features and improvements over traditional init. Systemd is designed to be more flexible and scalable than traditional init, and it provides a number of features such as service management, device management, and logging.

Q: Why do I need to use systemd with Docker?

A: Docker containers use the init process by default, which is not compatible with systemd. However, systemd provides a number of features and improvements that can make it easier to manage and troubleshoot your Docker containers. By using systemd with Docker, you can take advantage of these features and improve the overall performance and reliability of your containers.

Q: How do I know if my Docker container is using systemd?

A: To check if your Docker container is using systemd, you can run the following command:

ps -ef | grep init

This will show you the process ID and name of the init process running in your container. If the init process is systemd, you should see a process ID and name that starts with "systemd".

Q: How do I update my Docker container's init system to use systemd?

A: To update your Docker container's init system to use systemd, you can run the following command:

update-initramfs -u

This will update the container's initramfs to use systemd as the init system.

Q: What are some common issues I may encounter when using systemd with Docker?

A: Some common issues you may encounter when using systemd with Docker include:

Error: "systemd not found": This error typically occurs when systemd is not installed or configured correctly. Try reinstalling systemd or checking its configuration files.
Error: "init system not found": This error typically occurs when the container's init system is not systemd. Try updating the container's init system to use systemd.
Error: "systemd not running": This error typically occurs when systemd is not running as the init system. Try starting systemd or checking its configuration files.

Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with systemd and Docker?

A: To troubleshoot issues with systemd and Docker, you can try the following steps:

Check the Docker logs: Check the Docker logs to see if there are any error messages related to systemd.
Check the systemd logs: Check the systemd logs to see if there are any error messages related to Docker.
Check the container's init system: Check the container's init system to see if it is using systemd.
Try updating the container's init system: Try updating the container's init system to use systemd.

Q: What are some best practices for using systemd with Docker?

A: Some best practices for using systemd with Docker include:

Use the --init flag: When running a Docker container, use the --init flag to specify the init system to use.
Use a Dockerfile: When building a Docker image, use a Dockerfile to specify the init system to use.
Check the Docker documentation: Check the official Docker documentation for more information on using systemd with Docker.

Conclusion

In this Q&A article, we've provided more information and clarification on the "System has not been booted with systemd as init system" error and how to resolve it. We hope this article has been helpful in answering your questions and providing more information on using systemd with Docker.