Start, Restart, and Stop Service Linux using 3 Effective Ways

Written by

Ojash

Reviewed by

Akshat

Last updated: June 8, 2024

Expert verified

Managing services in Linux can be tricky, especially when you need to start, stop, or restart them without causing issues. But don’t worry, there is a solution! In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to manage services efficiently. You’ll learn essential commands, best practices, and troubleshooting tips to keep your system running smoothly.

Expect to find clear instructions on using systemctl, the service command, and init scripts. Plus, I’ll share tips on enabling, disabling, and reloading services to help you maintain control over your Linux environment effectively.

What Are Services (Daemons)?

Services, also known as daemons, are programs that run in the background on your computer. They don’t have a user interface and you don’t interact with them directly. Instead, they provide essential functions that other programs or users rely on, such as handling web requests, managing databases, or performing scheduled tasks.

Role of Services in the Linux Operating System

Services play a crucial role in the Linux operating system. They handle many important tasks that keep your system running smoothly. For example:

• Web Servers: Services like Apache or Nginx respond to web requests and serve web pages to users.
• Database Servers: Services like MySQL or PostgreSQL manage databases and provide data to applications.
• System Services: Services like cron run scheduled tasks, and services like SSH allow remote access to your system.

How to Start Services in Linux

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 to Linux start service:

1. Open the Terminal.

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

sudo systemctl start service_name

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:

sudo service service_name start

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:

sudo /etc/init.d/service_name start

Replace service_name with the actual name of the service.

How to Stop Service 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:

sudo systemctl stop service_name

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 Linux stop service using service command:

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

sudo service service_name stop

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:

sudo /etc/init.d/service_name stop

Replace service_name with the actual name of the service.

How to 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 to restart service Linux:

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

sudo systemctl restart service_name

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 Linux service restart:

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

sudo service service_name restart

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.

sudo /etc/init.d/service_name restart

Replace service_name with the actual name of the service.

How to Reload a Service

Reloading a service allows you to apply changes made to the service’s configuration without stopping the service. This is useful for implementing updates or changes quickly and efficiently without disrupting the service’s operation.

1. Open the terminal application on your Linux system. Determine the name of the service you want to reload. If you’re unsure of the service name, you can list all services using the command:

systemctl list-units --type=service

2. Now run the following command to reload the chosen service:

sudo systemctl reload <service_name>

The service will reload, applying any new configurations without stopping.

How to Enable and Disable a Service

Enabling a service ensures it starts automatically when your system boots up. This is useful for services that you want to run continuously, such as web servers, database servers, or essential system services.

1. Acces your command window and use the following command to see all active services:

systemctl list-units --type=service

2. To enable a service, execute the following command:

sudo systemctl enable <service_name>

The service will be set to start automatically every time your system boots.

3. To disable the service, enter the following command:

sudo systemctl disable <service_name>

The service will no longer start automatically at boot, freeing up system resources.

6 Best Practices to Manage Services in Linux

Managing services in Linux efficiently is crucial for ensuring system stability and optimal performance. From starting and stopping services to troubleshooting issues, following best practices can make your Linux administration experience smoother and more secure. Here are six best practices to follow:

• 🔍 Regular Updates: Keep your Linux system and services up to date with the latest security patches to fix vulnerabilities and enhance performance. Use package managers like apt or yum for regular updates, and consider automating the update process to stay on top of critical updates.
• 🔒 Secure Configurations: Implement secure configurations to minimize security risks. Review documentation and guidelines, restrict access, and follow the principle of least privilege. Regularly audit your service configurations to address potential weaknesses.
• 📊 Monitor Services Proactively: Use monitoring tools like Nagios, Zabbix, or Prometheus to identify issues and potential failures. Set up alerts for critical metrics and create dashboards to visualize service health and resource utilization.
• 📅 Schedule Automatic Service Startup: Use the systemctl enable command to configure essential services to start automatically during system boot. Prioritize services based on their importance and impact on system functionality.
• 🔧 Handle Service Dependencies: Understand and manage service dependencies to prevent disruptions. Regularly review and update dependencies, implement proper error handling, and consider creating a dependency diagram.
• 🚦 Plan Safe Service Restarts: Schedule restarts during maintenance windows or low activity periods to minimize disruption. Backup critical data and configurations before restarting services, and communicate scheduled restarts to users and stakeholders.

Start, Stop, and Restart Services Linux: In A Nutshell

In this article, I have covered how to start, stop, and restart services in Linux using systemctl, the service command, and init scripts. I have also discussed best practices to ensure your Linux system runs smoothly and securely.

To learn more, I suggest reading these articles:

• Discover how to view all running and available services on your system for better control and management.
• Learn to access and interpret system logs, crucial for troubleshooting service-related issues.
• Find out how to create systemd services to automate and manage tasks tailored to your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions