---
name: "nologin"
section: "5"
platform: "linux"
package: "man-pages"
version: "6.19-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/nologin/5"
---

# nologin(5)

prevent unprivileged users from logging into the system

## NAME

nologin - prevent unprivileged users from logging into the system

## DESCRIPTION

If the file */etc/nologin* exists and is readable, [**login**(1)](/login/1.md) will allow access only to root. Other users will be shown the contents of this file and their logins will be refused. This provides a simple way of temporarily disabling all unprivileged logins.

## FILES

*/etc/nologin*

## SEE ALSO

[**login**(1)](/login/1.md), [**shutdown**(8)](/shutdown/8.md)