Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-15

How to Fix: "make menuconfig" throwing cannot find -lc error in my Fedora 11 PC

Fedora 11 kernel configuration error: cannot find -lc. Solve by installing glibc-devel package.

Quick Answer: Install the glibc-devel package to resolve the 'cannot find -lc' error during kernel configuration.

The error 'cannot find -lc' when running `make menuconfig` in Fedora 11 is typically caused by a missing or corrupted system library. This issue affects users who are trying to configure their kernel settings using the `make menuconfig` command.

This error can be frustrating, especially for developers and power users who rely on this command to customize their system. However, with the right steps, you can resolve this issue and continue using your Fedora 11 machine.

🔍 Why This Happens

  • The primary reason for this error is that the `-lc` library flag is missing from the system's ld configuration. This flag is required by the `make menuconfig` command to link against the necessary libraries.
  • An alternative reason could be that the system's ld configuration is corrupted or incomplete, preventing the `-lc` library flag from being found.

🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps

Enabling the '-static' flag during kernel compilation

  1. Step 1: To resolve this issue, you need to enable the `static` flag during kernel compilation. This will ensure that all necessary libraries are included in the build process.
  2. Step 2: Open a terminal and run the command `make menuconfig`. Navigate to the 'General setup' section and select the 'Static binary formats' option.
  3. Step 3: Select the 'Build all binaries as static binaries' option and save your changes. Then, run `make -s` to recompile the kernel with the new settings.

Updating the system's ld configuration

  1. Step 1: Alternatively, you can try updating the system's ld configuration to include the `-lc` library flag. This involves modifying the `/etc/ld.conf` file.
  2. Step 2: Open a terminal and run the command `sudo nano /etc/ld.conf`. Add the following line at the end of the file: `libc -lc`.
  3. Step 3: Save and close the file, then run `sudo ldconfig` to update the system's ld configuration.

💡 Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the 'cannot find -lc' error when running `make menuconfig` in Fedora 11. Remember to enable the `static` flag during kernel compilation or update the system's ld configuration to include the `-lc` library flag.

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