Kali Linux Network Manager Is Not Running: How to Fix It

If you are a Kali Linux user and have ever encountered the error message “Network Manager is not running” when attempting to connect to a network, then you know how frustrating this issue can be. In this article, we will discuss what causes this error and how to fix it.

Understanding the Issue

The Network Manager is a program that manages network connections on a Linux system. It is responsible for detecting and configuring network interfaces, managing wireless networks, and connecting to the internet. When the Network Manager is not running, you cannot connect to any networks, wired or wireless.

Common Causes of the Problem

Several factors can cause the Network Manager to stop running. Some of the most common causes include:

1. Outdated Network Manager: If you are using an older version of Kali Linux, it may have an outdated Network Manager that is no longer supported.
2. Conflicting Network Services: If there are other network services running on your system, such as dhclient or wpa_supplicant, they may conflict with the Network Manager.
3. Corrupted Packages: Sometimes, packages that are required for the Network Manager to function properly can become corrupted, leading to the error message.

How to Fix the Issue?

Now that you know what causes the problem, let’s look at how to fix it.

Method 1: Restart the Network Manager Service

The first thing you should try is to restart the Network Manager service. To do this, open a terminal and type the following command:

sudo systemctl restart NetworkManager.service

This command will restart the Network Manager service and should fix the issue if it was caused by a temporary glitch.

Method 2: Check for Conflicting Services

If restarting the Network Manager service did not work, you should check if there are any conflicting network services running on your system. To do this, open a terminal and type the following command:

sudo systemctl list-units --type=service | grep network

This command will show you a list of network-related services running on your system. If you see any services other than “NetworkManager.service,” you should stop them by typing the following command:

sudo systemctl stop <service_name>

Replace <service_name> with the name of the service, you want to stop. Once you have stopped all conflicting services, restart the Network Manager service using the command from Method 1.

Method 3: Reinstall the Network Manager

If neither of the above methods works, you may need to reinstall the Network Manager. To do this, open a terminal and type the following command:

sudo apt-get install --reinstall network-manager

This command will reinstall the Network Manager and any packages that it depends on.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed the “Network Manager is not running” error on Kali Linux and how to fix it. By following the methods outlined above, you should be able to resolve the issue and connect to your desired network. Remember to always keep your system up-to-date and to use caution when modifying system files.