LPIC-2 Linux Kernel and System Startup Practice Question
A system administrator is responsible for a production server running a custom-compiled Linux kernel version 5.15. After a routine update of the kernel source and recompilation, the server fails to boot. The error message on the console is: 'Kernel panic - not syncing: No working init found. Try passing init= option to kernel.' The administrator verifies that the root filesystem is intact by booting from a live USB and mounting the root partition. The filesystem contains the usual /sbin/init (symlinked to systemd). The administrator also checks the boot loader configuration and sees that the kernel command line includes 'root=/dev/sda1 ro'. The init binary exists and is executable. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this boot failure?
⚠ Common exam trap
LPI often tests the misconception that 'No working init found' always means the init binary is missing or corrupted, when in fact it often results from the kernel being unable to access the root filesystem due to a missing initrd or missing storage drivers.
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 boot loader's 'initrd' directive is missing or points to a non-existent file
The error 'No working init found' indicates the kernel successfully mounted the root filesystem but could not execute the init binary. Since the administrator confirmed the init binary exists and is executable on the root partition, the most likely cause is that the kernel did not have access to the necessary drivers or modules to properly access the root filesystem at boot time. The missing or misconfigured initrd (initial RAM disk) directive means the kernel lacks the temporary root filesystem containing essential modules (e.g., storage controller drivers) needed to mount the real root filesystem, leading to the kernel falling back to a failed init search.
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 boot loader's 'initrd' directive is missing or points to a non-existent file
Why this is correct
Without an initramfs, the kernel may fail to properly set up the root filesystem, causing 'No working init found' if the initramfs was expected to contain the init or necessary modules.
- ✗
The kernel was compiled without support for the ext4 filesystem
Why it's wrong here
If ext4 were not supported, the kernel would display a VFS mount error, not 'No working init found'.
- ✗
The init binary is missing or corrupted
Why it's wrong here
The administrator confirmed /sbin/init exists and is executable.
- ✗
The root filesystem is corrupted and cannot be mounted properly
Why it's wrong here
The administrator verified the root filesystem is intact by mounting it from a live USB.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This LPIC-2 practice question is part of Courseiva's free LPI 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 LPIC-2 exam.