How can I delete a user in linux when the system says its currently used in a process

Linux Problem Overview

I am trying to delete a user I created on ubuntu.

However when I use the following command:

userdel -r cafe_fixer

I get the following message:

user cafe_fixer is currently used by process 15945

I am not using this user for anything I just created it and now wish to delete it.

Any help appreciated.

Linux Solutions

Solution 1 - Linux

First use pkill or kill -9 <pid> to kill the process.

Then use following userdel command to delete user,

userdel -f cafe_fixer

According to userdel man page:

> -f, --force > > This option forces the removal of the user account, even if the user > is still logged in. It also forces userdel to remove the user's home > directory and mail spool, even if another user uses the same home > directory or if the mail spool is not owned by the specified user. If > USERGROUPS_ENAB is defined to yes in /etc/login.defs and if a group > exists with the same name as the deleted user, then this group will be > removed, even if it is still the primary group of another user.

Edit 1:

Note: This option (i.e. --force) is dangerous and may leave your system in an inconsistent state.

Edit 2:

In spite of the description about some files, this key allows removing the user while it is in use. Don't forget to chdir / before, because this command will also remove home directory.

Solution 2 - Linux

Only solution that worked for me

$ sudo killall -u username && sudo deluser --remove-home -f username

The killall command is used if multiple processes are used by the user you want to delete.

The -f option forces the removal of the user account, even if the user is still logged in. It also forces deluser to remove the user's home directory and mail spool, even if another user uses the same home directory.

Please confirm that it works in the comments.

Solution 3 - Linux

pkill  <process id>
userdel <username>

Solution 4 - Linux

restart your computer and run $sudo deluser username... worked for me

Solution 5 - Linux

It worked i used userdell --force USERNAME Some times eventhough -f and --force is same -f is not working sometimes After i removed the account i exit back to that removed username which i removed from root then what happened is this

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Content Type	Original Author	Original Content on Stackoverflow
Question	chell	View Question on Stackoverflow
Solution 1 - Linux	Skynet	View Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 2 - Linux	Luka Lafaye de Micheaux	View Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 3 - Linux	KawaiKx	View Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 4 - Linux	Makinde Timi	View Answer on Stackoverflow
Solution 5 - Linux	Harish.A	View Answer on Stackoverflow