Written by

Ojash

Reviewed by

Akshat

Last updated: August 1, 2023

Expert verified

As a system administrator or Linux enthusiast, understanding how to manage services in Linux is essential for maintaining a stable and efficient system. Linux services are background processes that run independently and perform specific tasks to keep the system running smoothly. Services play a vital role in the functioning of a Linux machine, and knowing how to start, stop, and restart them is fundamental knowledge. In this comprehensive guide, I will explore various methods to start, stop, and restart services in Linux. I will also explore six best practices for better productivity.

How to Start Services in Linux

Starting services correctly ensures that they function as intended and contribute to a stable system. If you encounter any issues during the startup process, check for error messages in the log files or system journal. To start services in Linux, you have three different methods at your disposal. Let’s explore the step-by-step process using the most common techniques:

1. Using systemctl

Using systemctl is a powerful and standard method to manage services in modern Linux distributions. It allows you to start, stop, restart, enable, and disable services easily, providing a centralized control over the system services. Follow these steps:

1. Open the Terminal.

2. To start a service, use the following command:

<strong>sudo systemctl start service_name</strong>

Replace service_name with the name of the service you want to start.

3. You may need to enter your password, as this command requires administrative privileges.

2. Using service command

The service command is a legacy method to manage services in Linux, often found in older distributions or system setups. Though not as feature-rich as systemctl, it still offers basic service management functionalities. Here is the step-by-step guide:

1. Access your command window and to start a service with the service command, use the following syntax:

<strong>sudo service service_name start</strong>

Replace service_name with the name of the service you want to start.

2. Enter your password if prompted.

3. Using init scripts

Init scripts are the traditional way of managing services in Linux. While they are not as user-friendly as systemctl or service, they offer more control over service management. Follow these steps:

1. Locate the init script of the service you wish to start. These scripts are typically stored in the /etc/init.d/ directory.
2. In your Terminal run the following command to start the services:

<strong>sudo /etc/init.d/service_name start</strong>

Replace service_name with the actual name of the service.

How to Stop Services in Linux

When you no longer need a service to run, stopping it appropriately is essential to prevent data corruption or conflicts. It is vital to avoid potential conflicts or data loss. Make sure to handle dependencies properly when stopping services that other services rely on. Here’s how you can stop services in Linux:

1. Using systemctl

With systemctl, you can stop services gracefully, ensuring that they terminate properly and release system resources. Here is how to do it:

1. Launch your command prompt.
2. To stop a service with systemctl, use the following command:

<strong>sudo systemctl stop service_name</strong>

Replace service_name with the name of the service you want to stop.

2. Using service command

The service command also allows you to stop services, but it lacks some advanced features present in systemctl. Follow these steps to stop services in Linux using service command:

1. Enter your Terminal and to stop a service using the service command, run the following syntax:

<strong>sudo service service_name stop</strong>

Replace service_name with the name of the service you want to stop.

3. Using init scripts

Init scripts can be used to stop services in Linux, and they offer more control over the shutdown process compared to higher-level tools. Here is the step-by-step guide:

1. Access your command Terminal and to stop a service using the init script, enter the following command:

<strong>sudo /etc/init.d/service_name stop</strong>

Replace service_name with the actual name of the service.

How to Restart Services in Linux

Restarting services can be useful when a service encounters issues or requires a configuration update. Always consider the impact of restarting a service, especially if it has dependencies on other services. Here’s how you can safely restart services in Linux:

1. Using systemctl

systemctl allows you to restart services with ease, providing a seamless way to refresh their configurations or resolve issues. Follow these steps:

1. Launch your Terminal.
2. To restart a service with systemctl, use the following command:

<strong>sudo systemctl restart service_name</strong>

Replace service_name with the name of the service you want to restart.

2. Using service command

Like starting and stopping services, the service command can be used to restart services, but it might lack some features of systemctl. Here is the step-by-step guide to do it:

1. Open your command window and to restart a service using the service command, run the following syntax:

<strong>sudo service service_name restart</strong>

Replace service_name with the name of the service you want to restart.

3. Using init scripts

Init scripts enable you to restart services in a manner that suits your specific requirements, making them useful for fine-tuned control. Here is the step-by-step guide to restart services using init scripts:

1. In your Terminal window execute the following command to restart a service using the init script.