---
name: "kldload"
section: "8"
platform: "freebsd"
package: "base"
version: "16.0-CURRENT-20261027-61c70dc16a79"
release: "FreeBSD 16.0-CURRENT (2026-10-27)"
platforms: ["freebsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/kldload"
---

# kldload(8)

load a file into the kernel

## NAME

**kldload** – load a file into the kernel

## SYNOPSIS

**kldload** \[**-nqv**\] *file ...*

## DESCRIPTION

The **kldload** utility loads *file**.ko* into the kernel using the kernel linker. Note that if multiple modules are specified then an attempt will be made to load them all, even if some fail. The *.ko* extension name is not mandatory when loading a given module using **kldload**. It does not hurt to specify it though.

If a bare filename is requested it will only be loaded if it is found within the module path as defined by the sysctl *kern.module\_path*. To load a module from the current directory it must be specified as a full or relative path. The **kldload** utility will warn if a module is requested as a bare filename and is present in the current directory.

The following options are available:

- **-n**

  Do not try to load module if already loaded.

- **-v**

  Be more verbose.

- **-q**

  Silence any extraneous warnings.

## NOTES

The kernel security level settings may prevent a module from being loaded or unloaded by giving *Operation not permitted*.

## FILES

- */boot/kernel*

  directory containing loadable modules. Modules must have an extension of *.ko*.

## EXIT STATUS

The **kldload** utility exits 0 on success, and \>0 if an error occurs.

## EXAMPLES

To load by module name:

```
 kldload foo
```

To load by file name within the module path:

```
 kldload foo.ko
```

To load by relative path:

```
 kldload ./foo.ko
```

To load by full path:

```
 kldload /boot/kernel/foo.ko
```

## AUTOMATICALLY LOADING MODULES

Some modules (pf, ipfw, ipf, etc.) may be automatically loaded at boot time when the corresponding [rc.conf(5)](/rc.conf/5.md) statement is used. Modules may also be auto-loaded through their addition to [loader.conf(5)](/loader.conf/5.md) or kld\_list in [rc.conf(5)](/rc.conf/5.md).

Only those modules necessary for booting the system, including those required for mounting the root filesystem, should be handled by [loader.conf(5)](/loader.conf/5.md).

## SEE ALSO

[kenv(1)](/kenv/1.md), [kldload(2)](/kldload/2.md), [loader.conf(5)](/loader.conf/5.md), [rc.conf(5)](/rc.conf/5.md), [security(7)](/security/7.md), [kldconfig(8)](/kldconfig/8.md), [kldstat(8)](/kldstat/8.md), [kldunload(8)](/kldunload/8.md), [kldxref(8)](/kldxref/8.md)

## HISTORY

The **kldload** utility first appeared in FreeBSD 3.0, replacing the **lkm** interface.

## AUTHORS

Doug Rabson ⟨*dfr@FreeBSD.org*⟩