Sometimes you install software that registers itself as a systemd service and starts automatically at boot. If you don’t want it running anymore, you can disable or even mask it so it never starts again. Here’s a step-by-step guide using vllm.service as an example.
Step 1: Stop the Service Immediately
First, stop the service if it’s currently running:
sudo systemctl stop vllm.service
Step 2: Disable the Service at Boot
Prevent the service from starting automatically on reboot:
sudo systemctl disable vllm.service
This removes the symlink from the systemd startup sequence.
Step 3: Mask the Service (Optional but Stronger)
Masking a service ensures it cannot be started manually or by another dependency.
If the unit file already exists in /etc/systemd/system/, you’ll need to rename or remove it before masking:
sudo mv /etc/systemd/system/vllm.service /etc/systemd/system/vllm.service.backup
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl mask vllm.service
Step 4: Verify the Status
Check whether the service is disabled or masked:
systemctl is-enabled vllm.service
systemctl status vllm.service
-
disabled→ won’t start at boot -
masked→ cannot be started at all
Step 5: (Optional) Re-enable Later
If you change your mind, simply unmask and re-enable:
sudo systemctl unmask vllm.service
sudo systemctl enable vllm.service
Final Thoughts
- Disable if you just don’t want it auto-starting.
- Mask if you want to block it completely.
- Remove the unit file if you’re sure you’ll never use it again.
This approach ensures the service stays off permanently, even after rebooting.
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