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

# nologin(8)

politely refuse a login

## NAME

**nologin** – politely refuse a login

## SYNOPSIS

**nologin**

## DESCRIPTION

The **nologin** is intended as a replacement shell field for accounts that have been disabled.

When executed, **nologin** first writes about the login attempt to [syslog(3)](/syslog/3.md) and then displays a message that an account is not available.

To disable all logins, investigate [nologin(5)](/nologin/5.md).

## EXIT STATUS

The **nologin** utility always exits non-zero.

## EXAMPLES

Here is a demonstration of executing **nologin**:

```
$ nologin
This account is currently not available.
$ tail -n 1 /var/log/messages
Mar 30 21:53:07 example.org nologin[65992]: Attempted login by beastie on /dev/pts/18
```

## SEE ALSO

[login(1)](/login/1.md), [nologin(5)](/nologin/5.md)

## HISTORY

The **nologin** utility appeared in 4.4BSD.