Check whether the udev event queue is empty
Build a paste-ready command, then review its compatibility and effects before running it.
udevadm settle --timeout=5 --exit-if-exists=<device>Complete required fields to copy the generated command.
read-onlyno known side effects Compatibility
LinuxVerified for Linux using posix, bash, zsh syntax.
Operational knowledgereview due 2027-01-20
Requirementsudevadmudevadm must be installed and available on PATH.
Version supportudevadm Current supported releasesVerified for linux using posix, bash, zsh syntax; consult compatibility notes for platform-specific differences.
Expected signals(no output; exit status 0 confirms the device exists and pending events settled)Representative successful output; values vary with the selected target and system state.
Known errorsudevadm: command not foundudevadm is missing or is not available on PATH.
Verifyudevadm settle --timeout=5 --exit-if-exists={{device}}The output matches the expected target and exits without an error.Rollback noteNot required: this command is read-only and does not change system state.
Command breakdown
01udevadmCommandRuns the udevadm stage of this one-liner.
02settleArgumentPasses settle to udevadm.
03--timeout=5OptionConfigures udevadm with the --timeout=5 option.
04--exit-if-exists=<device>OptionConfigures udevadm with the --exit-if-exists=<device> option.
Example input
udevadm settle --timeout=5 --exit-if-exists=/dev/sda
Example output
(no output; exit status 0 confirms the device exists and pending events settled)
Illustrative output — exact values vary by system and data.
Official sources