How to fix Linux Mint initramfs Prompt at Boot:

Linux Mint initramfs prompt appears after booting computer. The computer does not boot up properly and instead of going straight to the login screen, drops through to a initramfs command line prompt.

Open

Open

Linux Mint initramfs Prompt

The solution below works when Linux Mint 18.3 drops through to the (initramfs) prompt after updating the Linux kernel. There may be other instances where it does not work. Three commands must be run at the command prompt.

1. Run the exit Command

First enter exit at the initramfs prompt.

After typing exit and pressing the Enter key, the following appears at the prompt. The information displayed will be different for different computers.

BusyBox initramfs Prompt after exit Command

Take note of the path of the file system from the above image and shown below. Your root file system name will probably be different, so use the information displayed on your system, which is used in the next command.

2. Run the fsck Command

Use the fsck command with the file system path determined above. This is in the following format.

For the above example this is entered at the initramfs prompt as shown below. Be sure to use your file system path as determined above instead and end with the -y switch.

When the fsck command runs after entering it as above, it fixes the system. Text scrolls on the screen while it is busy.

3. Run the reboot Command

Finally enter the reboot command at the (initramfs) command prompt.

This reboots the computer to the Linux Mint login prompt. Everything should now be working properly again.