Bash Tab Autocomplete Not Working on Linux

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In this article, we’ll show you how to fix the broken tab completion feature in the Linux bash console.

On Ubuntu/Debian, you need to install the bash-completion package:

$ sudo apt install bash-completion

If the package is installed, but the autocomplete doesn’t work, reinstall it:

$ sudo apt install --reinstall bash-completion

If the problem persists, check the settings in the bash config file (/root/.bashrc):

Check that the file exists, if the file doesn’t exist, you can copy its template to the user’s home directory:

$ cp /etc/skel/.bashrc ~/

Now open the .bashrc file for editing:

$ sudo nano /root/.bashrc

Check that the following lines are present at the end of the config file:

if ! shopt -oq posix; then
  if [ -f /usr/share/bash-completion/bash_completion ]; then
    . /usr/share/bash-completion/bash_completion
  elif [ -f /etc/bash_completion ]; then
    . /etc/bash_completion
  fi
fi

Bash tab-completion not working in LInux

Save the file: Ctrl+X, Y -> Enter.

Close your bash session:

$ exit

Log in again and check that command completion is now working in the Linux CLI.

One thought on “Bash Tab Autocomplete Not Working on Linux”
  1. Docker tab automatic prompt under Ubuntu does not work
    Manually copy /usr/share/bash-completion/completions to /etc/bash_completion.d
    I found that there are many commands in it
    If something’s not right, I’ll check it out.
    Just reinstall it and it’ll be fine
    $ sudo apt install –reinstall bash-completion

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