mediumMultiple Choice
XK0-006 Practice Question: After updating the kernel, the system fails to…
After updating the kernel, the system fails to boot and displays 'Error 15: File not found' from GRUB. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse GRUB error 15 with a missing initramfs, but error 15 occurs specifically when the kernel image path is invalid, while a missing initramfs causes a kernel panic after the kernel starts loading.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The kernel image is missing or the path in grub.cfg is incorrect
GRUB error 15 indicates that the specified file path in the GRUB configuration (grub.cfg) cannot be found. Since the error occurs after a kernel update, the most likely cause is that the new kernel image file is missing from the boot partition or the path in grub.cfg does not match the actual file location, preventing GRUB from loading the kernel.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The GRUB configuration file is missing
Why it's wrong here
If grub.cfg were absent, GRUB would drop to its rescue prompt or use a fallback menu rather than emit Error 15, which is raised when a referenced file cannot be found. It is tempting because the config names the kernel path, but a missing config would be correct only if no menu appeared at all.
- ✓
The kernel image is missing or the path in grub.cfg is incorrect
Why this is correct
GRUB Error 15 means the file it was told to load does not exist at the specified location, so either the kernel image was removed or the path recorded in grub.cfg no longer matches the installed kernel.
- ✗
The initramfs image is missing
Why it's wrong here
GRUB resolves the kernel image first; a missing initramfs would normally surface later as a kernel panic after the kernel loads, not as GRUB Error 15. It is tempting because both files sit in /boot and are updated together, but initramfs absence would be the answer if the kernel started and then panicked.
- ✗
The hard drive has failed
Why it's wrong here
GRUB's 'Error 15: File not found' means GRUB itself loaded but could not locate the kernel or initramfs file it was told to boot, so a dead disk would not produce this specific message. A failed drive is tempting because it also prevents booting, but it would be correct only if the firmware reported no readable device at all.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Managing Storage and File Systems
Key term
Kernel
The kernel is the core program of an operating system that manages hardware resources and provides essential services for all other software to run.
Key term
GRUB
GRUB (Grand Unified Bootloader) is a boot loader package that loads and manages the operating system startup process on Linux and other Unix-like systems.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This XK0-006 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the XK0-006 exam.