modprobe is the core tool in Linux for loading, uninstalling and managing kernel modules. It can automatically handle module dependencies. 1. Use the command sudo modprobe module_name to load the module. For example, sudo modprobe nfs will automatically load nfs and its dependencies such as sunrpc. 2. Use sudo modprobe -r module_name to uninstall the module. For example, sudo modprobe -r nfs will remove nfs and unused dependent modules, provided that the module is not occupied. 3. To view the module status, you can use lsmod | grep module_name to check whether it has been loaded, and use modinfo module_name to view module details such as parameters and author. 4. To update the dependency map, you need to run sudo depmod to rebuild the modules.dep file to ensure that modprobe correctly parses the dependencies, which are usually executed after installing a new module. 5. Blacklist blocking module loading can be implemented through echo "blacklist problem_module" | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-problematic.conf. For example, blacklist uvcvideo can disable camera drivers, or install module_name /bin/false can be used to silently fail the loading. 6. The configuration alias and parameters can be set in the .conf file under /etc/modprobe.d/, such as alias mygpu nvidia and options nvidia NVreg_UsePageAttributeTable=1. 7. Common application scenarios include resolving Wi-Fi conflicts (such as blacklist b43 and loading wl), privacy protection (disable uvcvideo or snd_hda_codec_hdmi), and loading proprietary drivers at startup via initramfs. 8. Best practices recommend that modprobe be used instead of insmod, keep the /etc/modprobe.d/ configuration file naming clear, run sudo depmod -a after modification, and manually test the module loading before restarting, so as to ensure the system runs stably, safely and efficiently.

Managing kernel modules in Linux is a key task for system administrators and power users, especially when dealing with hardware drivers or custom kernel features. The modprobe command is the primary tool used to load, unload, and manage kernel modules in a clean and dependency-aware way. Here's how to use it effectively.

What Is modprobe ?

modprobe is a utility that adds or removes modules from the Linux kernel. Unlike the lower-level insmod and rmmod , modprobe understands module dependencies and automatically handles them. It reads configuration files (usually in /etc/modprobe.d/ ) and module dependency maps (created by depmod ) to ensure modules are loaded correctly.

Loading and Unloading Modules

Load a Module

To load a kernel module:

 sudo modprobe module_name

For example, to load the nfs module:

 sudo modprobe nfs

modprobe will automatically load any required dependencies (like sunrpc , lockd , etc.).

Unload a Module

To remove a module:

 sudo modprobe -r module_name

The -r flag tells modprobe to remove the module and any unused dependent modules. For example:

 sudo modprobe -r nfs

Note : A module can only be unloaded if it's not in use.

Viewing Module Information

Check if a Module Is Loaded

Use lsmod to list currently loaded modules:

 lsmod | grep module_name

View Module Details

To see information about a module (like parameters, description, author):

 modinfo module_name

Example:

 modinfo i915

This shows details about the Intel graphics driver.

Managing Module Dependencies

Update Module Dependency Map

After installing new modules or changing configurations, regenerate the dependency map:

 sudo demod

This updates /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/modules.dep , which modprobe uses to resolve dependencies.

Most modern distributions run this automatically during package installation.

Blacklisting and Configuring Modules

Prevent a Module from Loading

To blacklist a module so it won't load at boot, create a config file in /etc/modprobe.d/ :

 echo "blacklist problem_module" | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-problematic.conf

Example: Prevent uvcvideo from loading:

 blacklist uvcvideo

You can also replace a problematic module with a dummy one:

 install problem_module /bin/false

This ensures even if something tries to load it, it fails silently.

Alias and Module Options

You can alias a module name or pass parameters:

 alias mygpu nvidia
options nvidia NVreg_UsePageAttributeTable=1

These go in .conf files under /etc/modprobe.d/ .

Common Use Cases

• Fixing Wi-Fi issues : Blacklist conflicting drivers like b43 and load wl instead.
• Disabling webcams or mics for privacy: blacklist uvcvideo or snd_hda_codec_hdmi .
• Loading proprietary drivers at boot via initramfs (ensure they're in initramfs using update-initramfs or dracut ).

Tips and Best Practices

• Always use modprobe over insmod unless you're debugging.
• Keep /etc/modprobe.d/ organized—use describe .conf filenames.
• After editing module configs, run sudo depmod -a to be safe.
• Test module loading manually before rebooting.

Basically, modprobe makes kernel module management safe and efficient by handling dependencies and respecting system-wide rules. With the right configurations, you can fine-tune your kernel's behavior for performance, security, or hardware compatibility.

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