---
name: "unbound-checkconf"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "unbound"
version: "1.26.2-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux", "openbsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/unbound-checkconf"
---

# unbound-checkconf(8)

Check Unbound 1.26.2 configuration file for errors.

## NAME

unbound-checkconf - Check Unbound 1.26.2 configuration file for errors.

## SYNOPSIS

**unbound-checkconf** \[**-hf**\] \[**-o option**\] \[cfgfile\]

## DESCRIPTION

**unbound-checkconf** checks the configuration file for the *[unbound(8)](/unbound/8.md)* DNS resolver for syntax and other errors. The config file syntax is described in *[unbound.conf(5)](/unbound.conf/5.md)*.

The available options are:

- **-h**

  Show the version and commandline option help.

- **-f**

  Print full pathname, with chroot applied to it. Use with the *-o* option.

- **-q**

  Make the operation quiet, suppress output on success.

- **-o \<option\>**

  If given, after checking the config file the value of this option is printed to stdout. For **""** (disabled) options an empty line is printed.

- **cfgfile**

  The config file to read with settings for Unbound. It is checked. If omitted, the config file at the default location is checked.

## EXIT CODE

The **unbound-checkconf** program exits with status code 1 on error, 0 for a correct config file.

## FILES

- **/etc/unbound/unbound.conf**

  Unbound configuration file.

## SEE ALSO

*[unbound.conf(5)](/unbound.conf/5.md)*, *[unbound(8)](/unbound/8.md)*.

## AUTHOR

Unbound developers are mentioned in the CREDITS file in the distribution.

## COPYRIGHT

1999-2026, NLnet Labs