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How to Fix “ifconfig: Command not Found” in Ubuntu

The `ifconfig` command is a legacy tool configuring network interfaces in Linux. Although it has been deprecated and replaced by the `ip` command, many users still rely on it for network configuration tasks.

If you run into the “ifconfig: command not found” error, it usually means the tool is missing from the system, as it is part of the `net-tools` package.

Today, our Support Experts will help you resolve this error quickly.

An Overview:

• Installing the `net-tools` Package
• How to Fix the Error After Installing `net-tools`
• A Modern Alternative to `ifconfig`: `ip` Command

Installing the `net-tools` Package

If we tried to install `ifconfig` directly and failed, it’s because it cannot be installed individually. The `ifconfig` command is bundled with the `net-tools` package. Here are the steps to install the package based on your Linux distribution:

• For Debian/Ubuntu-Based Distributions

  sudo apt install net-tools
• For Arch-Based Systems

  sudo pacman -S net-tools
• For Fedora, CentOS, and RHEL

  sudo dnf install net-tools

Once installed, the `ifconfig` command will be available, and the “ifconfig: command not found” error will be resolved.

How to Fix the Error After Installing `net-tools`

Sometimes, the error may persist even after installing `net-tools.` This usually happens because the system’s PATH variable doesn’t include the directory where the `ifconfig` binary is located.

1. First, check if the `ifconfig` binary exists in the `/sbin` directory:

   [[ -f /sbin/ifconfig ]] && echo "ifconfig exists"

   If the output says “ifconfig exists,” proceed to the next step. If not, reinstall the `net-tools` package using the appropriate command for your Linux distribution.
2. Then, verify if `/sbin` is included in the PATH variable:

   echo $PATH

   If `/sbin` is missing, add it to the PATH:

   export PATH=$PATH:/sbin
3. Reboot the system to ensure the changes take effect. After restarting, we should be able to use the `ifconfig` command without any issues.

A Modern Alternative to `ifconfig`: `ip` Command

While `ifconfig` remains popular because it is familiar, it is highly recommended that modern tools be used for better performance and features. The iproute2 package, which replaces `net-tools`, includes updated commands such as `ip`, `ss`, `tc`, and more.

Alternatively, display network interface details using the `ip` command, run:

ip a

The output is similar to that of `ifconfig`.

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Conclusion

While `ifconfig` is still functional and widely used, it is a deprecated tool. Installing the `net-tools` package resolves the “ifconfig: command not found” error, but transitioning to the `iproute2` suite ensures better compatibility, performance, and support for modern networking features. Adopting the ip` command and related tools is a more sustainable approach for long-term usage.

In brief, our Support Experts demonstrated how to fix “ifconfig: Command not Found” in Ubuntu.