How to Stop Ubuntu from Automatically Running a Disk Check (fsck) on Boot

When you turn on your Ubuntu Linux machine, the operating system occasionally decides to run a File System Check (fsck) before it allows you to log in. This background utility scans your hard drive for corrupted sectors, orphaned files, and structural errors. By default, Ubuntu triggers this scan automatically if the system was shut down improperly (like a sudden power outage) or if the drive has been mounted a specific number of times since the last scan.

While fsck is a critical tool for maintaining data integrity, running it automatically on boot is incredibly frustrating. If you are rushing to turn on your laptop for an important video meeting, having the operating system stall on a black screen for ten minutes while it aggressively scans a massive 2TB hard drive is completely unacceptable.

You can configure the file system table (fstab) to explicitly command the kernel to bypass the fsck check during the boot sequence, ensuring your computer boots as quickly as possible.

How to Disable Automatic Disk Checks (fsck) on Boot

You must edit the fstab file to change the “pass” parameter for your primary hard drive.

1. Open your terminal application (Ctrl+Alt+T).
2. Open the file system table configuration file in a text editor with root privileges:
   sudo nano /etc/fstab
3. Look closely at the lines of text. Each line represents a hard drive partition. Locate the line that corresponds to your primary root partition (it will have a / in the second column).
4. Look at the very last number on that line (the 6th column). This is the pass variable. A value of 1 or 2 tells the system to run fsck on boot.
5. Change that final number to a 0. (Make sure you do not change any other numbers, UUIDs, or text on that line).
6. Press Ctrl+O then Enter to save the file, and Ctrl+X to exit nano.

Warning: By disabling automatic checks, you assume responsibility for your drive’s health. You should manually run an fsck check periodically from a Live USB to ensure your data is safe.

Ubuntu will no longer stall during the boot sequence to inspect your hard drive. Your machine will boot straight into the GNOME login screen, ensuring maximum uptime and speed.