Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix: Why do I get this error when trying to run Kuberentes/K3s: "setting cgroup config for procHooks process: bpf_prog_query(BPF_CGROUP_DEVICE) failed"

K3s cluster error: cgroup config issue preventing container start.

Quick Answer: Check and update the /sys/fs/cgroup configuration on the defective node to match the other working nodes.

The error 'setting cgroup config for procHooks process: bpf_prog_query(BPF_CGROUP_DEVICE) failed' occurs when trying to run Kubernetes/K3s on a node. This issue affects nodes where the K3s configuration file is not properly set up, leading to problems with container creation and pod execution.

This error can be frustrating because it prevents users from managing their cluster effectively, as they cannot start containers or pods on affected nodes. However, by following the steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to resolve the issue and get your K3s cluster up and running again.

🔍 Why This Happens

  • The primary reason for this error is that the cgroup configuration on the affected node is not properly set up. Specifically, the 'cgroup_root' mount point is missing or configured incorrectly, which prevents the creation of container tasks.
  • An alternative reason could be related to the BPF (Berkeley Packet Filter) capabilities of the system, as some systems may not support certain BPF features, leading to a 'function not implemented' error.

✅ Best Solutions to Fix It

Enabling cgroup2 and installing required packages

  1. Step 1: Update the package list on the affected node: `sudo apt-get update` (for Debian-based systems) or `sudo yum update` (for RPM-based systems).
  2. Step 2: Install the required packages, including `cgroups-tools` and `bpfutils`: `sudo apt-get install cgroups-tools bpfutils` (for Debian-based systems) or `sudo yum install cgroup-tools bpfutils` (for RPM-based systems).
  3. Step 3: Create a symbolic link to the correct 'cgroup_root' mount point: `sudo ln -s /sys/fs/cgroup/cgroup2 /sys/fs/cgroup/cgroup_root`.

Check BPF capabilities and upgrade system if necessary

  1. Step 1: Check the BPF capabilities of the system using the `bpfconfig` command: `sudo bpfconfig --list`. If the 'bpf_prog_query' function is not implemented, you may need to upgrade your system or install additional packages.

✨ Wrapping Up

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the 'setting cgroup config for procHooks process: bpf_prog_query(BPF_CGROUP_DEVICE) failed' error and get your K3s cluster up and running again. Remember to check the system configuration and BPF capabilities before proceeding with any fixes.

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