How To Fix “Mtd Device Must Be Supplied Device Name Is Empty” Error

Recently I became more fond of Linux OS and removed Windows and Installed Ubuntu OS on my PC.

After the successful installation, I rebooted the system.

Unfortunately, the boot process is stopped by the following error message

“mtd device must be supplied (device name is empty)” on the screen.

It can be frustrating if booting is interrupted by a storage error message after the fresh installation, and you don’t know the problem.

The error messages occur because the OS kernel crashes while booting.

This guide shows you how to fix the mtd device must be supplied (the device name is empty)” and run your system smoothly.

Let’s get started.

What Causes Mtd Device Must Be Supplied Device Name Is Empty Error To Occur?

Mtd Device Must Be Supplied Device Name Is Empty

Mtd Device Must Be Supplied Device Name Is Empty means the OS cannot access your storage for some reason. 

MTD stands for “Memory Technology Device.” It refers to an SSD or Hard drive inside your system.

In most cases, the issue can be solved by upgrading the OS since it is a bug of a particular version.

  • The error occurs if your Kernal is crashed or there might be an error with your Hard drive.
  • Any loosened cable connections inside or outside the CPU unit may give the error.
  • An issue with the Drivers.
  • Bug in the installed OS version itself.
  • You don’t have enough memory and need to delete some files or add extra memory to run the OS.

The error can be fixed by following simple troubleshooting procedures.

How To Fix “Mtd Device Must Be Supplied Device Name Is Empty” Error

The primary step is to reboot your system again. Power off your system and Unplug it from the power supply. Wait two minutes and plug in again to reboot again.

Because the booting error also occurs when there is not enough power supply to the system. 

Replugging will remove any power glitches and help the system boot properly.

Let’s see the fixes step by step.

1. Upgrade Your OS

As mentioned above, the error is standard in a specific version of Linux OS. The development team has fixed the Bug in the later version.

There is a high possibility that you installed the OS version with the bug.

By running the following command, you can fix the error in the recovery mode

  • While booting your PC, press and hold SHIFT.
  • A window appears, and choose “advanced options for ubuntu….”
  • Choose the recovery mode of the newest kernel
  • At the Recovery menu, Select network, and hit enter – it takes a few seconds
  • After that, you go to root (it’s the shell) and hit enter.

Type the following commands:

  • apt-get update (Update application inside the OS)
  • apt-get upgrade -y ( Upgrading the entire OS to the Next version)
  • apt-get dist-upgrade -y (To install the dependent packages)
  • reboot

Now you can see the error is successfully removed, and you can access the Linux OS.

2. Delete Nvidia Driver From Your OS

Sometimes, the issue with driver updates, especially in Nvidia, was missing, which might block the kernel boot.

You have already updated the driver by running the dist-upgrade command.

Then try removing the driver from recovery mode.

  • When booting the system, press and hold the Shift key 
  • In the GRUB menu, select the (recovery mode) entry and let the system boot.
  • You will be presented with another menu; scroll down and select the root shell prompt
  • Run the following commands:
    • mount -n -o remount,rw /
    • apt-get purge nvidia-current
    • rm /etc/X11/xorg.conf
  • reboot now

If the issue is with the driver, or you will not see the error on booting.

3. Check The Space On Disk In Your System

You will get the MTD memory error if you don’t have enough space to load the kernel.

By freeing up space, you can fix the error.

  • Following the above step and enter into the recovery mode
  • Find and locate Try to make free space from the Recovery mode.”

In the Command prompt, login as root and type the following command.

  •  apt autoremove(Removes cache memory and temporary files)
  • If you want to remove a specific folder “type rm -rf <file/foldername>

Here you need to enter the file path. 

4. Disable Secure Boot From BIOS

Secure boot is beneficial since it detects any malicious or infected files on the boot.

Sometimes it blocks some of the critical loading components, which stops your system from booting successfully.

  • Power off your system
  • Hit the Delete or F2 or F12, or F10 buttons on your keyboard continuously as soon as your power on the PC to enter into BIOS.
  • Select the Security tab from BIOS and Disable Secure Boot.
  • Reboot your system.

You can see the error is gone and entered into the OS successfully.

5. Check All Your Input Cables

Kernal is a Base of OS that interacts with the Hardware and The OS.

Any issue in communication with Hardware also leads to the MTD error.

So ensure you have connected all the cables correctly to your system.

The cables include Network, HDMI, and VGA cables. You can also re-plug these cables and reboot your system.

If the error persists, re plug the cables inside the CPU unity if you are using the Desktop.

It will help you run the OS without any errors.

The error will be fixed by upgrading the OS most of the time. And many users report that the error is automatically resolved by turning it on the next day. 

It happens because you give the PC time to shut down completely. When you power it on after giving it some time, it removes minor glitches caused by miscommunication inside the electronic circute of a system.

I hope you found the solution and fixed the Mtd Device Must Be Supplied Device Name Is Empty error.

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