Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix: Ubuntu installation will not boot, throws error missing file: /dev/sdc1

Error resolving Ubuntu installation due to missing /dev/sdc file.

Quick Answer: Check if the USB drive is properly inserted and recognized by the system, and try reinstalling the grub bootloader.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 🔍 Why This Happens
  2. 🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps
  3. 💡 Conclusion

Ubuntu installation will not boot, throwing an error message indicating that a file /dev/sdc is missing. This issue affects users who have attempted to install Ubuntu 12.04 and encountered continuous messages related to a timeout while trying to identify the device. The continuous loop of udev commands can be frustrating for those troubleshooting this problem.

Resolving the 'missing file' error and getting Ubuntu installed requires patience and persistence. By following the steps outlined in this guide, users should be able to overcome this obstacle and successfully install their desired operating system.

🔍 Why This Happens

  • The primary reason for this issue is a mismatch between the device name used during installation and the actual device name recognized by the system. This can occur when an external hard drive or USB drive is inserted, causing the system to incorrectly identify it as a different device.
  • An alternative cause could be a problem with the udev daemon itself, which might not be able to correctly identify devices due to various reasons such as corrupted device files or issues with the device's firmware.

🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps

Boot from a Live USB and Identify Device

  1. Step 1: Insert the Ubuntu installation media into your computer and boot from it using the Live USB option. Once booted, open a terminal window to identify the correct device name for the external hard drive or USB drive.
  2. Step 2: Type the command `lsblk` in the terminal to list all block devices on the system. Look for the device that corresponds to the external hard drive or USB drive and note its name (usually something like `/dev/sdc`).
  3. Step 3: Update your system's device information by running the command `sudo udevadm trigger`. This will update the device file system, allowing you to identify the correct device name.

Use a Different Device or Check for Corruption

  1. Step 1: Try using a different external hard drive or USB drive to see if the issue persists. If it does not, then the problem might be with the current device.
  2. Step 2: Run a check disk (chkdsk) on the device to identify any file system corruption. You can do this by opening a terminal and typing `sudo chkdsk /dev/sdc` (replace `/dev/sdc` with the actual name of your external hard drive or USB drive).

💡 Conclusion

By following these steps, users should be able to identify the correct device name, resolve any issues with the udev daemon, and successfully install Ubuntu. Remember to always back up important data before attempting any troubleshooting steps.

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