Quick Answer: How Do I Delete a Defunct Process in Linux?
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The only way to get rid of defunct processes that is certain is to reboot the box. Another way that SOMETIMES gets rid of defunct processes is to do a kill of the PPID. In your case that would be PID 7755. However, that might cause issues if 7755 has other children.

How do I remove a defunct process in Linux?

You can follow below steps to attempt killing zombie processes without system reboot.

  1. Identify the zombie processes. top -b1 -n1 | grep Z. …
  2. Find the parent of zombie processes. …
  3. Send SIGCHLD signal to the parent process. …
  4. Identify if the zombie processes have been killed. …
  5. Kill the parent process.

24 февр. 2020 г.

How do you kill a defunct process in Unix?

You cannot kill a <defunct> process (also known as zombie process) as it is already dead. The system keeps zombie processes for the parent to collect the exit status. If the parent does not collect the exit status then the zombie processes will stay around forever.

Robert Thorne

Robert Thorne

Automotive & Future Transportation Editor

Robert Thorne covers electric vehicle innovations, autonomous driving systems, global mobility trends, and automotive engineering developments.

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