Ubuntu Installation Errors and Solutions [Troubleshooting by Cause]

By 佐川 直弘 | Naohiro Sagawa (運営者)

※記事内に広告を含みます。Amazonアソシエイトとして適格販売により収入を得ています。　

1. Introduction

Ubuntu is a widely used Linux distribution, but errors can occur during installation. Especially for beginners, issues like “Unable to install Ubuntu,” “Installation freezes midway,” or “Error prevents progress” are common challenges.

This article provides a detailed guide on common errors and solutions encountered during Ubuntu installation. It covers creating USB media, BIOS settings, installation errors, WSL-related issues, and more. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth Ubuntu installation.

2. Pre-Installation Preparation (Checklist to Avoid Failures)

Proper preparation is crucial for a smooth Ubuntu installation. Make sure your hardware meets the requirements, your BIOS/UEFI settings are correctly configured, and your installation media is properly created.

Checking Hardware Requirements

Before installing Ubuntu, confirm that your system meets the requirements. Older PCs may fail to install if they do not meet these specifications.

Minimum System Requirements (Ubuntu Desktop):

• CPU: 1GHz or faster processor
• RAM: At least 4GB (8GB recommended)
• Storage: At least 25GB of free space
• USB port or DVD drive (for installation media)

For the server version, higher specifications may be required.

BIOS/UEFI Settings

Modern PCs use UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface). Adjusting BIOS/UEFI settings is necessary for a successful Ubuntu installation.

1. Disable Secure Boot:

• Many UEFI-equipped PCs have “Secure Boot” enabled, which can prevent Ubuntu installation. Disable this option.
• Enter the BIOS setup (press F2 or Del key at startup), find the “Secure Boot” option, and set it to “Disabled.”

1. Check UEFI/Legacy Mode:

• Ubuntu works in both UEFI and Legacy (CSM) modes. Ensure the correct setting based on how you created your installation media.
• For newer PCs, installing in UEFI mode is generally recommended.

Creating USB Installation Media

Download the Ubuntu ISO image and write it to a USB drive to create installation media.

Recommended Tools:

• Windows: Rufus (create with GPT + UEFI settings)
• Mac/Linux: Etcher (simple and easy to use)

Steps (Using Rufus):

1. Download the Ubuntu ISO file from the official website.
2. Open Rufus and select the downloaded ISO file.
3. Set “Partition scheme” to “GPT” and “Target system” to “UEFI.”
4. Click the “Start” button to create the USB installation media.

By following these steps, your USB media will be properly prepared, increasing the chances of a successful Ubuntu installation.

3. Installation Errors and Solutions

Various errors can occur during Ubuntu installation, including USB media issues, installation freezes, and partition errors. This section provides detailed explanations of each error and their solutions.

A. Errors Occurring Before Installation

If there are problems with the installation media or PC settings, the Ubuntu installer may not launch properly.

“Bootable device not found” Error

Causes

• Incorrect BIOS/UEFI boot settings
• Improperly created USB installation media
• USB port compatibility issues

Solutions

1. Check BIOS/UEFI Settings

• Press F2 or Del during startup to enter BIOS settings.
• Open “Boot Order” and set “USB Drive” as the highest priority.
• Disable “Secure Boot.”
• Enable “CSM (Compatibility Support Module).”

1. Recreate the USB Installation Media

• Use Rufus or Etcher to write the ISO with the correct settings.
• Ensure the format is “GPT + UEFI.”
• Try a different USB drive.

1. Use a Different USB Port

• Some USB 3.0 ports may not be recognized. Try using a USB 2.0 port instead.

“ISO File is Corrupted” Error

Causes

• Incomplete ISO file download
• Error during USB media creation

Solutions

1. Redownload the ISO File

• Download the latest ISO from the official Ubuntu website: https://ubuntu.com/download

1. Verify SHA256 Checksum

sha256sum ubuntu-xx.xx.iso

1. Recreate the USB Installation Media

• Use Rufus or Etcher to rewrite the ISO.

B. Errors During Installation

“Black Screen During Ubuntu Installation (How to Set nomodeset)”

Causes

• Graphics driver compatibility issues (especially NVIDIA or AMD)
• Incorrect kernel options

Solutions

1. Modify GRUB Boot Options

• Boot from the Ubuntu installation media.
• Press Esc or Shift during startup to display the GRUB menu.
• Select “Try Ubuntu without installing” and press e to enter edit mode.
• Change quiet splash to nomodeset.
• Press Ctrl + X to boot.

1. Install the Correct Graphics Driver After Installation

sudo ubuntu-drivers autoinstall

“Failed to start Ubuntu live CD installer” Error

Causes

• USB media read errors
• Hardware compatibility issues
• Possible corrupted ISO file

Solutions

1. Replace the USB Media

• Create a new installation media using a different USB drive.

1. Boot into “Try Ubuntu” Mode

• Select “Try Ubuntu without installing” and attempt installation manually.

1. Check BIOS Settings

• Disable “Secure Boot.”
• Enable “USB Legacy Support.”

C. Boot Errors After Installation

“GRUB Does Not Appear and Ubuntu Does Not Boot”

Causes

• GRUB bootloader is not installed
• Incorrect UEFI settings

Solutions

1. Manually Boot Ubuntu from Boot Menu

• Press F12 or F9 at startup to access the boot menu.
• Select the Ubuntu boot option.

1. Reinstall GRUB

sudo mount /dev/sdaX /mnt
sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt /dev/sda
sudo update-grub
sudo reboot

4. WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) Related Errors

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) allows you to run Ubuntu on Windows. However, installation and startup errors may occur. This section covers common WSL-related errors and their solutions.

A. Errors During WSL Installation

Error: “0x004000d (WSL is not enabled)”

Causes

• WSL is not enabled on Windows
• Required Windows features are disabled
• Virtualization Technology (VT-x/AMD-V) is disabled

Solutions

1. Enable WSL

• Open PowerShell as an administrator and run:
  wsl --install
• Restart your PC and check if WSL is enabled

1. Manually Enable Required Windows Features

• Go to “Control Panel” → “Programs and Features” → “Turn Windows features on or off”
• Check and enable the following options:
  • “Windows Subsystem for Linux”
  • “Virtual Machine Platform”
• Restart your PC

1. Enable Virtualization Technology in BIOS

• Press F2 or Del during startup to enter BIOS settings
• Find “Virtualization Technology (VT-x/AMD-V)” and set it to “Enabled”
• Save changes and restart your PC

B. Errors When Starting WSL

Error: “0x800701bc (Kernel Update Required)”

Causes

• The WSL2 Linux kernel is outdated
• Additional updates are required to use WSL2

Solutions

1. Update the WSL2 Kernel

• Download the WSL2 Linux Kernel Update Package from Microsoft’s official website:
  https://aka.ms/wsl2kernel
• Run the downloaded file to install the update
• Restart your PC

1. Set WSL2 as the Default Version

• Open PowerShell as an administrator and run:
  wsl --set-default-version 2
• Reinstall Ubuntu and check if WSL2 is applied

Error: “Ubuntu Does Not Start in WSL”

Causes

• WSL configuration files are corrupted
• Windows Update has affected WSL functionality

Solutions

1. Reset WSL

• Open PowerShell as an administrator and run the following commands:
  wsl --shutdown
wsl --unregister Ubuntu
wsl --install -d Ubuntu
• This will reinstall Ubuntu on WSL

1. Restart the WSL Service

• Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run:
  net stop LxssManager
net start LxssManager
• Restart WSL and check if Ubuntu runs properly

C. Package Errors in WSL

Errors may occur when updating packages inside Ubuntu on WSL.

Error: “E: Unable to locate package”

Causes

• The apt package list is outdated
• WSL’s network settings are incorrect

Solutions

1. Update the Package List

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y

2. Change the Repository Mirror

• Edit the sources.list file to switch to a mirror server:
  sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list
• Replace http://archive.ubuntu.com/ with http://mirrors.ubuntu.com/

5. Additional Troubleshooting Methods

If you are unable to install or boot Ubuntu despite following the basic troubleshooting steps, try these additional methods. These approaches can help resolve persistent issues.

A. Try Installing Ubuntu in “Try Ubuntu” Mode

If the installation process freezes or stops midway, you can use the “Try Ubuntu” mode to diagnose and resolve issues.

Steps

1. Boot Ubuntu from USB Media

• Set the BIOS boot order to prioritize USB.
• Insert the Ubuntu installation USB and restart the PC.
• On the startup screen, select “Try Ubuntu without installing.”

1. Check System Behavior in Live Mode

• If the Ubuntu desktop loads, test Wi-Fi connectivity and disk recognition.
• Open a terminal and run lsblk to check if storage devices are properly detected.
• If no issues occur, try launching “Install Ubuntu” from the live environment.

Error Checking in “Try Ubuntu” Mode

• If the disk is not detected → Use fdisk -l or gparted to check storage status.
• If the network is not working → Use ip a or nmcli to check network connectivity.

B. Try a Different USB Media or USB Port

If the installation stops midway or the USB media is not recognized, try these steps:

1. Change USB Ports

• Some systems may not detect USB 3.0 (blue ports), so try using a USB 2.0 (black port) instead.

2. Use a Different USB Drive

• Your current USB drive may be faulty. Try creating the installation media on a different USB drive.

3. Change Rufus Settings

• If you created the installation media with GPT/UEFI mode, it might not be recognized on older PCs. Try the following:
• Change GPT + UEFI to MBR + BIOS (or UEFI-CSM).
• Format the USB as FAT32.

C. Update BIOS/UEFI Firmware

An outdated BIOS version can cause compatibility issues with newer Ubuntu versions.

1. Check Your BIOS Version

• If Windows is installed:

wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion

• If Ubuntu is installed:

sudo dmidecode -s bios-version

2. Update BIOS Firmware

1. Download the latest BIOS firmware from your PC manufacturer’s official website.
2. Save the firmware file to a USB drive.
3. Use the BIOS update utility to install the update.
4. After updating, reset BIOS settings and try installing Ubuntu again.

D. Try a Different Ubuntu Version (LTS or Latest Release)

The latest Ubuntu version may offer better hardware compatibility, but the LTS (Long Term Support) version is often more stable.

1. Comparison of LTS and Latest Stable Versions

2. Download Options

• https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop

3. Try an Older Version

• For some hardware, an older Ubuntu version may work better.
• Download older versions from http://old-releases.ubuntu.com.

6. Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A) About Ubuntu Installation Errors

This section provides solutions to common errors and questions that users face when installing Ubuntu. If you encounter issues during installation, refer to this Q&A for troubleshooting.

Q1: The screen turns black (freezes) during Ubuntu installation

Causes

• Graphics driver incompatibility (especially with NVIDIA/AMD GPUs)
• Incorrect kernel parameters

Solutions

1. Set the “nomodeset” option in GRUB

• Boot from the Ubuntu installation USB and display the GRUB menu (press Esc or Shift during startup).
• Select “Try Ubuntu without installing” and press e to enter edit mode.
• Replace quiet splash with nomodeset.
• Press Ctrl + X to boot.

1. Update Graphics Drivers After Installation

sudo ubuntu-drivers autoinstall
sudo reboot

Q2: Errors occur when installing Ubuntu on WSL

Common Errors and Solutions

Q3: “No bootable device found” error appears

Causes

• Ubuntu was not installed correctly
• GRUB bootloader is missing
• Incorrect BIOS boot order settings

Solutions

1. Check BIOS Settings

• Press F2 or Del to enter BIOS and set Ubuntu’s disk as the top priority in “Boot Order.”

1. Reinstall GRUB

sudo mount /dev/sdaX /mnt
sudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt /dev/sda
sudo update-grub
sudo reboot

Q4: The Ubuntu installation media cannot be created

Causes

• The ISO file is corrupted
• The USB drive is faulty
• Incorrect Rufus settings

Solutions

1. Redownload the ISO File

• Download from the official website and verify its integrity using SHA256 checksum:
  sha256sum ubuntu-xx.xx.iso

1. Try a Different USB Drive

• Old USB drives may have bad sectors, causing failures.

1. Change Rufus Settings

• Use MBR/BIOS mode for older PCs.
• Use GPT/UEFI mode for newer PCs.

Q5: After installing Ubuntu, Windows no longer boots

Causes

• Ubuntu installation overwrote the Windows bootloader
• GRUB settings are incorrect

Solutions

1. Update GRUB Boot Entries

sudo update-grub

2. Repair the Windows Bootloader

• Boot from a Windows installation USB and open “Command Prompt.”
• Run the following commands:
  bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /rebuildbcd

3. Check BIOS Boot Priority

• Set “Windows Boot Manager” as the top priority and check if the GRUB menu appears.

7. Summary

Installing Ubuntu is relatively easy, even for beginners, but various errors can occur depending on the system environment. This article has provided a detailed guide on common Ubuntu installation errors and their solutions. Below is a summary of the key points.

Checklist for a Successful Installation

1. Proper Preparation Before Installation

• Check Hardware Requirements (RAM, Storage, CPU)
• Configure BIOS/UEFI Settings (Disable Secure Boot, Check Boot Order)
• Create a Proper USB Installation Media (Use Rufus or Etcher)

1. Be Prepared for Installation Issues

• If the USB Media is Not Recognized:
  • Try a different USB port or USB drive
  • Check BIOS boot settings
• If the Screen Turns Black or Freezes:
  • Set nomodeset in GRUB
• If Partition Errors Occur:
  • Use GParted to manually configure partitions

1. Troubleshooting After Installation

• If GRUB is Missing:
  • Reinstall GRUB
• If Windows Fails to Boot After Installing Ubuntu:
  • Repair the Windows bootloader using bootrec /fixmbr commands
• If WSL Ubuntu Does Not Work:
  • Run wsl --update or wsl --set-default-version 2

How to Use This Guide

• Use it as a checklist before installing Ubuntu
• Refer to the relevant section if an error occurs
• Check the FAQ for common problems and solutions

Ubuntu is a powerful open-source OS that offers high stability and flexibility once installed successfully. If you encounter installation failures, use this guide to troubleshoot and resolve the issues.

With this, the comprehensive guide on Ubuntu installation errors and solutions is complete. Thank you for reading! 🚀