user@ubuntu:~$ journalctl -xe | grep "A start job is running for dev-disk (timeout)"

Critical

A start job is running for dev-disk (timeout)_ (Ubuntu)

A start job is running for dev-disk (timeout)

Ubuntu · Boot/GRUB

Seeing A start job is running for dev-disk (timeout) on Ubuntu means the OS detected "A start job is running for dev-disk (timeout)". Before reinstalling anything, work through the steps below — the fix is often simpler than it looks.

What Actually Happened

System boot halted: systemd is waiting on a disk or partition that is not appearing in time, often a fstab entry for a removed drive.

Symptoms

Linux boot halted with message: 'A start job is running for dev-disk (timeout)'

Common Causes

Boot condition: systemd is waiting on a disk or partition that is not appearing in time, often a fstab entry for a removed drive

How to Fix It

01
Boot from a Live USB media
02
Chroot into installation and run:
sudo update-grub
03
Reinstall bootloader:
sudo grub-install /dev/sda

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