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Logging

System logs​

How to enable persistent logging​

To make journald store logs persistently across boots:

  1. Shut down the RPi.
  2. Remove the RPi's SD card and insert it into your own computer instead.
  3. Mount the SD card's root partition on your computer.
  4. Make a new directory in the SD card's root partition at /etc/systemd/journald.conf.d.
  5. In the new directory at /etc/systemd/journald.conf.d, make a new file named 99-persistent-storage.conf, with the following contents: 
    [Journal]
    Storage=persistent
  6. Reboot
warning

Storing logs persistently will wear out the SD card more quickly, so only do this if necessary!

To undo this change:

  1. Shut down the RPi.
  2. Remove the RPi's SD card and insert it into your own computer instead.
  3. Mount the SD card's root partition on your computer.
  4. Delete the file at /etc/systemd/journald.conf.d/99-persistent-storage.conf.
  5. Reboot

How to check logs from a previous boot​

After enabling persistent logging:

  1. Enter the RPi's terminal.
  2. Run the command journalctl --boot=-{n} to check the logs from n boots ago. For example, run journalctl --boot=-1 to check the logs from the previous boot.