How to Kill Processes by Name in Linux - pkill and killall
In this video, we’ll show you how to kill processes by name in Linux using pkill and killall. We’ll cover how to find processes, kill them gracefully or forcefully, and ensure you only target the processes you intend to. Whether you’re dealing with frozen applications or need to stop background services, these commands will help you manage your system more effectively. Let’s dive into the details and master these essential Linux commands!
Learn:
1. Find the Process First
Search for process by name:
ps aux | grep chrome
More detailed search:
pgrep -l chrome
Sample Output:
user 1234 0.5 2.1 /usr/bin/chrome
user 5678 0.2 1.8 /usr/bin/chrome
2. Kill by Name (Simple Method)
Kill all processes with "chrome" in name:
pkill chrome
Kill exactly matching process name:
pkill -x chrome
3. Kill by Name with Signal
Graceful shutdown (politely ask to close):
pkill -TERM chrome
Force kill (when app is frozen):
pkill -KILL chrome
Or use numbers (9 = force kill):
pkill -9 chrome
4. Kill by Exact Process Name
Kill only exact matches (safer):
killall chrome
Force kill exact matches:
killall -9 chrome
5. Kill Processes Owned by You
Only kill your own processes:
pkill -u $USER chrome
Kill all your browser processes:
pkill -u $USER firefox
pkill -u $USER chrome
pkill -u $USER opera
6. Kill Remote Processes (SSH)
Check what will be killed first (safety check):
ssh user@server "pgrep -l apache2"
Then kill the process remotely if it's correct:
ssh user@server "pkill apache2"
Safety note: Always verify with pgrep before pkill to avoid stopping important services.
Check first — see which processes will be affected:
ssh user@server "pgrep -l 'apache2|mysql|nginx'"
Then kill them all in one go:
ssh user@server "pkill -f 'apache2|mysql|nginx'"
Real-World Examples:
Fix Frozen Browser
Find browser processes:
ps aux | grep -i firefox
Kill all firefox processes:
pkill firefox
If still frozen, force kill:
pkill -9 firefox
Stop Background Services
Stop a specific service:
pkill nginx
Stop database:
pkill mysql
Stop multiple services:
pkill nginx && pkill mysql
Safety First: Check Before Killing!
Always verify first:
ps aux | grep process_name
pgrep -l process_name
See process tree to understand dependencies:
pstree -p | grep process_name
Kill Signals Explained:
Signal Number Effect
TERM 15 Politely ask to exit (default)
KILL 9 Force kill immediately
HUP 1 Reload configuration
INT 2 Interrupt (like Ctrl+C)
Quick Reference:
Find process
ps aux | grep name
Kill politely (like -TERM or -15)
pkill name
Kill forcefully (like -KILL)
pkill -9 name
Kill exact match
killall name
Kill your processes only
pkill -u $USER name
✅ Common Use Cases:
Frozen application → pkill -9 app_name
Too many tabs open → pkill chrome
Service won't restart → pkill -9 service_name
⚠️ Warning:
Don't kill system processes unless you know what they do.
Save your work before killing applications.
Use -9 (KILL) only when necessary - can cause data loss.
✅ Pro Tips:
Always Verify: Use pgrep or ps aux to verify the process before killing it.
Graceful Shutdown: Use TERM signal first to allow processes to clean up.
Remote Management: Use SSH to manage processes on remote servers safely.
GitLab Link: You can find the Tutorial files at this GitLab link: https://gitlab.com/hatem-badawi/linux....
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(Short, clear, and packed with practical knowledge!)