Unable to start sshd service - Missing privilege separation directory: /var/empty/sshd

Solution Verified - Updated -

Issue

  • Unable to start sshd service with the below error messages.

    # service sshd restart
    runlevel: /var/run/utmp: No such file or directory
    Starting sshd: Missing privilege separation directory: /var/empty/sshd    
    [FAILED]
    

Environment

  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
  • Openssh

Subscriber exclusive content

A Red Hat subscription provides unlimited access to our knowledgebase, tools, and much more.

Current Customers and Partners

Log in for full access

Log In

New to Red Hat?

Learn more about Red Hat subscriptions

Using a Red Hat product through a public cloud?

How to access this content