Ubuntu 22.04 LTS – Secure Boot blocks unsigned DKMS module loading – Fix & Prevention

📖 ~1 min read

Table of contents

1. Symptom & Impact
2. Environment & Reproduction
3. Root Cause Analysis
4. Quick Triage
5. Step-by-Step Diagnosis
6. Solution – Primary Fix
7. Solution – Alternative Approaches
8. Verification & Acceptance Criteria
9. Rollback Plan
10. Prevention & Hardening
11. Related Errors & Cross-Refs
12. References & Further Reading

Symptom & Impact

DKMS-built driver fails to load on systems with Secure Boot enabled.

Environment & Reproduction

Ubuntu 22.04 UEFI system using third-party module not signed by enrolled key.

Root Cause Analysis

Kernel module signature validation rejects unsigned or untrusted module binary.

Quick Triage

Check mokutil –sb-state and review dmesg for signature validation errors.

Step-by-Step Diagnosis

Inspect module signature status and confirm whether MOK key is enrolled.

Solution – Primary Fix

Sign module with enrolled key or enroll new MOK, then rebuild and load module.

Solution – Alternative Approaches

Disable Secure Boot only where policy allows and risk is accepted.

Verification & Acceptance Criteria

Module loads without verification errors and dependent functionality is restored.

Rollback Plan

Revert to previously working signed module package if new signing workflow fails.

Prevention & Hardening

Integrate module signing and MOK lifecycle into driver deployment process.

Automate patch management and compliance across your fleet with our DevOps services.

Related Errors & Cross-Refs

DKMS build failures and kernel ABI changes may co-occur during update windows.

Related tutorial: View the step-by-step tutorial for Ubuntu 22.04 LTS.

View all Ubuntu 22.04 LTS tutorials on the Tutorials Hub →

Browse all common problems & solutions on the Tutorials Hub.

References & Further Reading

Ubuntu 22.04 Secure Boot, MOK, and module signing documentation.