Failed to Start NetworkManager.service on Arch Linux

If you’ve stumbled upon this article, chances are you’re encountering the dreaded error: “Failed to start NetworkManager.service” on your Arch Linux system. Don’t worry; we’ve got your back. In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss the possible reasons for this issue and provide actionable solutions to get your network up and running again.

Possible Causes

There could be several reasons why NetworkManager fails to start on your Arch Linux system, including:

Corrupted or missing NetworkManager configuration files
Misconfigured network settings
Broken package installation or updates
Conflicting network services

Let’s dive into each of these potential issues and discuss solutions to resolve them.

How to Resolve Error: Failed to Start NetworkManager.service on Arch Linux

Corrupted or Missing NetworkManager Configuration Files

Solution: Restore default configuration files

Corrupted or missing configuration files may prevent NetworkManager from starting. To resolve this, you need to restore the default configuration files. First, navigate to the /etc/NetworkManager directory and backup any existing configuration files:

sudo mv /etc/NetworkManager/NetworkManager.conf /etc/NetworkManager/NetworkManager.conf.bak

Next, create a new default configuration file using your favorite text editor, such as Vim:

sudo vi /etc/NetworkManager/NetworkManager.conf

Add the following content to the new configuration file:

[main]
plugins=keyfile
[keyfile]

unmanaged-devices=*,except:type:wifi,except:type:gsm,except:type:cdma

Save the file, exit the text editor, and restart the NetworkManager service:

sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager.service

Misconfigured Network Settings on Arch Linux

Solution: Verify and correct network settings

Misconfigured network settings, such as incorrect IP addresses, subnet masks, or DNS settings, could cause the NetworkManager service to fail. To resolve this, verify your network settings and correct any discrepancies. You can use nmtui, a built-in text user interface for NetworkManager, to configure your network settings easily.

First, install the networkmanager package if you haven’t already:

sudo pacman -S networkmanager

Next, run the nmtui command:

nmtui

From the nmtui menu, choose Edit a connection, select the appropriate network interface, and verify the settings. Make any necessary adjustments, save the changes, and exit nmtui.

Finally, restart the NetworkManager service:

sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager.service

Broken Package Installation or Updates on Arch Linux

Solution: Reinstall NetworkManager

A broken package installation or an incomplete update might prevent NetworkManager from starting correctly. In this case, you need to reinstall the NetworkManager package. To do this, first, remove the existing package:

sudo pacman -Rns networkmanager

Next, update your system:

sudo pacman -Syu

Then, reinstall the NetworkManager package:

sudo pacman -S networkmanager

Finally, restart the NetworkManager service:

sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager.service

Conflicting Network Services on Arch Linux

Solution: Disable conflicting services

If other network services are running on your system, they might conflict with NetworkManager. To resolve this issue, identify and disable any conflicting services. For example, if you have dhcpcd running on your system, you should stop and disable it to prevent conflicts with NetworkManager. You can use the following commands to stop and disable the dhcpcd service:

sudo systemctl stop dhcpcd.service
sudo systemctl disable dhcpcd.service

After disabling the conflicting services, try starting NetworkManager again:

sudo systemctl start NetworkManager.service

Reinstall NetworkManager on Arch Linux

If none of the above solutions work, you can try reinstalling NetworkManager. To do this, first, remove the existing NetworkManager package using the following command:

sudo pacman -R networkmanager

Next, update your system and reinstall NetworkManager:

sudo pacman -Syu networkmanager

Finally, enable and start the NetworkManager.service:

sudo systemctl enable NetworkManager.service
sudo systemctl start NetworkManager.service

Conclusion

In this article, we have covered various solutions to the “Error: Failed to Start NetworkManager.service on Arch Linux” issue. By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the problem and get your network up and running.

For more articles on troubleshooting and managing Arch Linux, check out some of our other guides:

If you encounter any other issues or have questions, feel free to leave a comment or consult the Arch Linux Wiki for more information.