Systemd Failed Units Script Linux

Find broken services fast with a systemd failed units report — lists failed services, timers, and mounts on your Linux server.

What this script does

Lists all failed systemd units
Shows status and last log lines per unit
Email report when failures exist
Exit code 1 if any unit failed (for monitoring hooks)
Ideal for daily cron on production servers

Prerequisites

systemd-based Linux
systemctl command
Optional: mail for alerts

Step 1: Save the script

sudo nano /usr/local/bin/systemd-failed-report.sh
sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/systemd-failed-report.sh

Step 2: Full script (scroll to read)

systemd-failed-report.sh

#!/usr/bin/env bash
set -euo pipefail

ALERT_EMAIL="[email protected]"
LOG_LINES=5
LOG="/var/log/systemd-failed.log"

log(){ echo "[$(date '+%F %T')] $*" | tee -a "$LOG"; }

FAILED=$(systemctl --failed --no-legend --no-pager | awk '{print $1}' || true)

if [[ -z "$FAILED" ]]; then
  log "No failed systemd units on $(hostname -s)"
  exit 0
fi

REPORT="Failed systemd units on $(hostname -s) at $(date)\n\n"
while read -r unit; do
  [[ -z "$unit" ]] && continue
  REPORT+="$unit\n"
  REPORT+=$(systemctl status "$unit" --no-pager -l 2>/dev/null | tail -n "$LOG_LINES")
  REPORT+="\n---\n"
done <<< "$FAILED"

log "FAILED units detected:"
echo -e "$REPORT" | tee -a "$LOG"

if [[ -n "$ALERT_EMAIL" ]] && command -v mail >/dev/null; then
  echo -e "$REPORT" | mail -s "Systemd failures: $(hostname -s)" "$ALERT_EMAIL"
fi
exit 1

Scroll inside the box to read the full script.

Step 3: Configure settings

ALERT_EMAIL — send report when failures found
LOG_LINES — journal lines per failed unit (default 5)

Systemd failed units report shell script Linux

Step 4: Test manually

systemctl --failed

sudo /usr/local/bin/systemd-failed-report.sh

Schedule with cron

sudo crontab -e

Add:

0 7 * * * /usr/local/bin/systemd-failed-report.sh >> /var/log/systemd-failed.log 2>&1

Systemd Failed Units Report Shell Script for Linux

What this script does

Prerequisites

Step 1: Save the script

Step 2: Full script (scroll to read)

Step 3: Configure settings

Step 4: Test manually

Schedule with cron

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