While using Linux, you may encounter the "mount point does not exist" error when trying to mount a new file system or device. This error indicates that the directory you specified as the mount point either does not exist or cannot be accessed. However, fixing this issue is usually straightforward once you understand what caused it.
What is a Mount Point?
Before diving into solutions, let‘s briefly go over what a mount point is and why specifying a valid one is necessary for mounting devices and file systems in Linux.
A mount point, also called a "mount directory," is simply an existing empty directory in your Linux file system where you "attach" another file system or device. This directory serves as the root directory through which you can access the contents of the mounted device or file system.
For example, you may have an external USB drive with its own separate file system that you want to use for backups. To access the files and directories on this USB drive, you need to "mount" it by attaching its root directory to an empty directory on your computer‘s native file system. This native directory you choose is the mount point.
When specifying a mount point for a device, it‘s crucial that the directory:
- Already exists in the file system
- Is completely empty
If either of those two conditions is not met, the "mount point does not exist" error will occur.
Now let‘s go over some potential reasons why you may encounter this error.
Common Reasons for the "mount point does not exist" Error
There are a few common scenarios that can trigger this error in Linux when trying to mount a device or file system:
1. Typographical Error in Mount Point Path
One possibility is that you simply made a typo when specifying the path to the mount point directory. For example, you meant to use /mnt/backup but accidentally typed /mnt/bakup.
Since there is no /mnt/bakup directory, the mount point does not exist, resulting in the error. Always double check your paths and directory names for accuracy.
2. Non-Existent Mount Point Directory
Another reason could be that the directory you chose to use as the mount point does not yet exist in the system. Remember that mount point directories must pre-exist before attempting to mount a device to them.
For example, if you specify /home/user/storage as the mount point path but have not yet created the storage subdirectory under your home folder, the mount operation would fail with the "mount point does not exist" error.
3. Mount Point Directory Not Empty
Additionally, the error can occur if the directory intended as the mount point contains any files or subfolders already. The mount point directory must be completely empty to attach another file system.
If your chosen mount point directory has existing contents, try moving them temporarily to a backup folder, then attempt the mount again.
4. Permissions Issue on Mount Point
Finally, permission problems can also interfere with using a directory as a designated mount point in Linux. Your user may not have write access to the mount directory you want to use.
Try verifying that your user account has full read/write permissions on the target mount directory before attempting to mount devices or file systems there.
Now that we‘ve explored reasons for the error, let‘s go over some solutions.
Fixing the "mount point does not exist" Error
Fixing this error will vary a bit depending on the specific reason it occurred in your case. But here are some general tips:
1. Double Check Path and Existence of Mount Point
First, closely verify that you specified the path to the mount point directory correctly. Check your command as well as double check that the target directory exists by listing files in its parent folder.
For example, if your mount command specified /mnt/backup as the mount point, list the contents of /mnt to verify backup is an existing subfolder:
ls /mntAnd check that /mnt/backup is empty:
ls /mnt/backupIf the subfolder does not exist, proceed to the next resolution.
2. Create Mount Point Directory
If the mount point directory you specified does not exist yet, go ahead and create it.
For example, to create a storage subdirectory under /home/user to use as a mount point:
sudo mkdir /home/user/storageBe sure to create the directory with write permissions for your user account.
3. Use a Different Mount Point
If the directory you intended to use already contains files you don‘t want to move, simply choose a different empty directory instead.
List the contents of parent directories like /mnt or /media to identify another unused subdirectory you can use as the mount point. Then update your mount command accordingly.
4. Clear Out Intended Mount Point
If the directory you want to use has existing contents you don‘t mind moving, go ahead and clear them out so it becomes an unused empty directory:
sudo rm -r /mnt/backup/*The above would delete all files and folders within /mnt/backup to make it empty. Then try mounting again.
5. Adjust Permissions on Mount Point
If running the mount command results in a "permission denied" error, you likely need to modify ownership and permissions for the mount directory.
Give your user account full read/write access. For example, for a storage folder owned by root:
sudo chown user:user /home/user/storage
sudo chmod 755 /home/user/storageThen attempt to mount the device again.
In summary, carefully check your mount point path, create it if needed, clear it out or use an alternate empty directory, and adjust Linux file permissions until mount operations succeed without errors!
Tips for Choosing Good Mount Points
To avoid the "mount point does not exist" error in the future, keep these tips in mind when deciding on mount directories:
- Always mount devices to empty subdirectories in folders like
/mnt,/media, or/home - If creating custom mount directories, ensure your user has permissions to access them
- Only specify directory paths that already exist on your system
- Triple check for typos in mount point directory names
- List directory contents to verify chosen mount point is unused
- Consider making dedicated subdirectories to use exclusively as device mount points
Following best practices when selecting mount directories will help prevent this error.
Using the /etc/fstab File for Mount Points
Hard-coding mount directories for external drives or partitions in the /etc/fstab file can also simplify the mounting process and reduce errors in Linux.
/etc/fstab lists file systems and devices that should mount automatically at boot time. But you can also configure drive mount points here manually and then use the simpler mount command without specifying a mount directory later.
For example, add this line to always mount an external USB drive with UUID 0125-3355 to the /media/backup directory:
UUID=0125-3355 /media/backup ntfs defaults 0 0Now you can mount that USB drive to the designated point with only:
sudo mount /media/backupThe /etc/fstab file associates the /media/backup mount point to that drive UUID automatically.
Configuring dedicated, consistent mount points this way prevents mistakes when typing mount directories manually.
Summary
I hope this overview has helped explain what causes the "mount point does not exist" error and how to properly fix it in Linux environments. Key points to remember include:
- Carefully check that your specified mount directory exists and is empty
- Create non-existing mount directories or use alternatives
- Clear out pre-existing contents in the intended mount directory
- Ensure your user has permissions to access and write to mount points
- Consider defining persistent mount directories in /etc/fstab
Following the right troubleshooting steps and tips outlined here will resolve mount point errors and have you successfully accessing mounted file systems again. Let me know if you have any other questions!