modprobe(8)
Load or remove Linux kernel modules with automatic dependency resolution.
Synopsis
modprobe [-r] [--verbose] [--show-depends] [-i] [--force] MODULE [MODULE_PARAMETER=VALUE ...]Description
modprobe loads kernel modules intelligently, automatically loading any required dependencies. It searches the standard module directories and uses /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/modules.dep to resolve module relationships. Unlike insmod, modprobe handles complex dependency chains automatically.
With the -r flag, modprobe removes modules and their unused dependencies. Configuration files in /etc/modprobe.d/ control module parameters, aliases, and blacklists.
Common options
| Flag | What it does |
|---|---|
-r, --remove | Remove module instead of inserting it |
-v, --verbose | Print messages about what modprobe is doing |
--show-depends | List all modules modprobe would load (without loading) |
-i, --ignore-install | Ignore install commands in configuration files |
-f, --force | Load even if kernel version check fails |
-n, --dry-run | Do everything except actually load/remove the module |
--allow-unsupported-modules | Allow loading modules marked unsupported by kernel |
-q, --quiet | Suppress all messages (including errors) |
-c, --showconfig | Dump all configuration and exit |
Examples
Load the Intel e1000 network driver and all its dependencies
modprobe e1000Remove the e1000 module (and unused dependencies if safe)
modprobe -r e1000Display all modules that would be loaded for nvidia without loading them
modprobe --show-depends nvidiaLoad Intel HD Audio driver with verbose output showing each step
modprobe -v snd_intel_hdaLoad e1000 driver with custom parameters
modprobe e1000 speed=1000 duplex=fullSimulate loading nouveau driver (print steps without actual loading)
modprobe --dry-run -v nouveauCheck if a module is loaded; load it if not present
lsmod | grep -E '^Module' || modprobe my_driverRemove usbcore with verbose feedback about module dependencies
modprobe -r -v usbcore