DevOps Shack

JENKINS TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

1. Jenkins Fails to Start

Symptoms:

●​ Jenkins is not accessible.

●​ Jenkins service fails to start or stops unexpectedly.

Possible Causes:

●​ Misconfiguration in Jenkins settings.

●​ Insufficient system resources (memory, disk space, etc.).
●​ Conflicts with other processes (e.g., port conflict).

Troubleshooting Steps:

1.​ Check Jenkins logs:

○​ Jenkins logs are typically located in /var/log/jenkins/jenkins.log or
/var/log/syslog.
○​ Look for errors indicating configuration or environment issues.
○​ Review the jenkins.err file for specific stack traces.
2.​ Check available resources:
○​ Ensure your system has enough memory and disk space to run Jenkins.
○​ Run top or htop to check CPU and memory usage.
3.​ Verify Java installation:

Jenkins runs on Java. Ensure Java is installed correctly by running:​

java -version

○​ Ensure you're using a supported version of Java.​

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4.​ Check port availability:

Jenkins uses port 8080 by default. Ensure no other process is using the same port:​
netstat -tuln | grep 8080

○​ If port 8080 is in use, either free it up or configure Jenkins to use a different

port in the jenkins.xml or jenkins.properties file.
5.​ Start Jenkins manually:

If Jenkins is not starting, attempt to start it manually:​

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java -jar jenkins.war

6.​ Inspect system logs:

○​ Review system logs (like /var/log/syslog or /var/log/messages) to
check for any errors during the Jenkins startup process.

2. Jenkins Jobs Fail to Execute

Symptoms:

●​ Jobs are stuck in the "Building" state or are failing.

●​ Job logs show errors indicating failures in executing build steps.

Possible Causes:

●​ Misconfigured job settings (e.g., incorrect build steps, paths).

●​ Issues with the agent(s) (if using distributed builds).
●​ Insufficient permissions to access resources or execute commands.
●​ Resource limits (e.g., memory, CPU) on the Jenkins master or agent.

Troubleshooting Steps:

1.​ Check job configuration:

○​ Review the job configuration to ensure all build steps (e.g., shell commands,
scripts, tools) are correctly defined.
○​ Ensure paths to tools or resources are correct and accessible.​
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2.​ Review job logs:

○​ Analyze the console output for any specific error messages related to the job
failure.
○​ Check for issues like missing dependencies, permission errors, or incorrect
commands.
3.​ Verify permissions:
○​ Ensure the user running the Jenkins process has proper permissions to access
files, directories, and execute commands.
4.​ Check for missing or incorrect tools:
○​ Verify that all tools (e.g., JDK, Maven, Node.js) are installed and configured
correctly in Jenkins under Manage Jenkins > Global Tool Configuration.
5.​ Check agent configuration:
○​ If using distributed builds, ensure that Jenkins agents are connected properly.
○​ Verify that the agent machine has sufficient resources and proper configuration
to run jobs.
6.​ Check for resource exhaustion:
○​ If Jenkins jobs are using too many resources (e.g., too many parallel ​
builds), you may need to configure job throttling or allocate more system
resources.
○​ Monitor resource usage during job execution (top, htop, etc.).

3. Jenkins Performance Issues (Slow UI/Builds)

Symptoms:

●​ Jenkins UI is slow to respond.

●​ Jobs take longer than usual to complete.

Possible Causes:

●​ Insufficient system resources (CPU, memory).

●​ Overloaded Jenkins master or agent.
●​ Inefficient pipeline configurations (e.g., long-running or resource-intensive steps).​
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●​ Lack of proper indexing or cleanup (large logs, old builds).

Troubleshooting Steps:

1.​ Check system resource utilization:

○​ Monitor CPU and memory usage with tools like htop or top.
○​ Consider increasing available system resources or moving Jenkins to a more
powerful machine.
2.​ Optimize job configurations:
○​ Reduce unnecessary steps in Jenkins pipelines or jobs.
○​ Use parallel builds when possible to distribute the load.
3.​ Cleanup Jenkins workspace and logs:
○​ Regularly clean up old build logs and workspaces. Use the "Discard Old Builds"
feature in the job configuration to limit build history.
○​ You can also set up a cleanup strategy for Jenkins logs and artifacts.
4.​ Increase JVM heap size:​
If Jenkins is running low on memory, increase the JVM heap size by modifying ​
the ​
JAVA_OPTS in the Jenkins startup configuration:​
-Xms1024m -Xmx2048m
○​ This can help Jenkins handle larger workloads.
5.​ Upgrade Jenkins and plugins:
○​ Ensure Jenkins and all installed plugins are up to date. Older versions of Jenkins
or plugins may have performance bottlenecks or bugs.
6.​ Analyze and optimize pipelines:
○​ If you're using Jenkins pipelines, analyze stages for any bottlenecks,
unnecessary dependencies, or large resource-consuming operations.

4. Plugin Issues

Symptoms:

●​ Jenkins fails to load or has errors related to a specific plugin.

●​ Plugin updates are failing.​
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Possible Causes:

●​ Plugin version incompatibility with Jenkins core or other plugins.

●​ Corrupt or improperly installed plugin files.

Troubleshooting Steps:

1.​ Check Jenkins logs for plugin errors:

○​ Look for specific plugin-related errors in the jenkins.log or job console
output.
2.​ Update or reinstall the plugin:
○​ Go to Manage Jenkins > Manage Plugins, and try updating or reinstalling the
problematic plugin.
○​ If an update fails, manually download and install the plugin from the Jenkins
plugin site.
3.​ Verify plugin compatibility:
○​ Ensure that plugins are compatible with the version of Jenkins you're using.
Some plugins may not work well with newer versions of Jenkins or other
plugins.
4.​ Disable problematic plugins:
○​ Temporarily disable or uninstall plugins to identify the source of the ​
problem.

5. Jenkins Security Issues

Symptoms:

●​ Jenkins is exposed to unauthorized access.

●​ Issues with user authentication or authorization.

Possible Causes:

●​ Insecure Jenkins configurations (default credentials, no security enabled).

●​ Misconfigured security settings or insufficient user permissions.

Troubleshooting Steps:​
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1.​ Enable and configure security:

○​ Ensure Jenkins is running in a secure mode with proper user authentication
enabled:
■​ Manage Jenkins > Configure Global Security
■​ Enable Jenkins’ own user database or integrate with external
authentication systems like LDAP, OAuth, etc.
2.​ Review user permissions:
○​ Check Manage Jenkins > Manage Users to ensure users have the appropriate
roles and permissions to execute jobs or configure Jenkins.
3.​ Secure Jenkins:
○​ Use HTTPS to secure Jenkins’ web interface.
○​ Disable the default "admin" user and create specific users with the least
privilege principle.
4.​ Regularly update Jenkins and plugins:
○​ Regularly update Jenkins and its plugins to patch security vulnerabilities.

6. Miscellaneous Errors

Symptoms:

●​ Miscellaneous Jenkins errors like "Job failed due to unexpected conditions."

Troubleshooting Steps:

1.​ Examine the build logs and console output.

2.​ Search for specific error messages in Jenkins documentation or community forums
(Jenkins issues, StackOverflow, Jenkins mailing lists).
3.​ Recreate the issue in a test environment to narrow down the cause.

7. Jenkins Connectivity Issues

Symptoms:

●​ Jenkins cannot connect to external services (e.g., GitHub, Docker registries, etc.).
●​ Builds are failing due to connectivity issues.
●​ Network timeouts or errors in pulling dependencies.​
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Possible Causes:

●​ Firewall or proxy restrictions.

●​ Misconfigured network settings.
●​ Issues with external service credentials or access tokens.

Troubleshooting Steps:

1.​ Check network connectivity:

○​ Ensure that Jenkins can connect to external resources like Git repositories,
Docker registries, etc.

Use tools like ping, curl, or telnet from the Jenkins server to verify external connectivity.​
curl https://github.com

○​ This will confirm if the Jenkins server has internet access.

2.​ Verify firewall and proxy settings:
○​ If Jenkins is behind a firewall or uses a proxy, ensure that the proxy ​
settings are configured correctly in Jenkins. You can set the proxy under
Manage Jenkins > Manage Plugins > Advanced settings.
○​ If you're behind a firewall, ensure that necessary ports (e.g., HTTP/HTTPS ports
for Git, Docker, etc.) are open.
3.​ Check service credentials:
○​ If the connection involves services like GitHub or Docker, make sure that
credentials (e.g., API tokens, SSH keys) are correctly configured in Jenkins.
○​ Verify credentials under Manage Jenkins > Manage Credentials or within the
individual job configuration if using services like Git or Docker.
4.​ Check DNS resolution:

Ensure that the Jenkins server can resolve domain names. Sometimes DNS issues can prevent
Jenkins from reaching external servers.​
nslookup github.com​
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○​ If DNS resolution fails, check your DNS settings or try using a different DNS
server.
5.​ Proxy-related issues:
○​ If Jenkins is behind a proxy, ensure that Jenkins is correctly configured to use
the proxy settings. This may be under Manage Jenkins > Configure System or in
system environment variables (e.g., http_proxy, ​
https_proxy).

8. Jenkins Pipeline Failures

Symptoms:

●​ Jenkins Pipeline jobs fail unexpectedly.

●​ Errors like "No such file or directory" or "Pipeline not found" in logs.

Possible Causes:

●​ Syntax errors in the pipeline script.

●​ Misconfigured pipeline or missing environment variables.
●​ Issues with SCM (source code management) integrations.
●​ Missing or incorrect file paths.

Troubleshooting Steps:

1.​ Check pipeline script syntax:

○​ Review the pipeline script (e.g., Jenkinsfile) for any syntax errors. Jenkins
provides detailed error messages in the job console that indicate where the
script is failing.
2.​ Verify SCM configurations:
○​ Ensure the SCM configuration in the pipeline is correct, especially if the ​
pipeline is supposed to pull from a Git repository or another version control
system.
○​ Double-check the repository URL, branch name, and credentials used in the
pipeline configuration.
3.​ Check for missing environment variables:​
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○​ Verify that the required environment variables (e.g., PATH, JAVA_HOME) are
available in the pipeline environment.
○​ Use echo or printenv commands in the pipeline script to check if the
expected variables are set correctly.
4.​ Review the workspace:
○​ Check if the workspace where the pipeline is running has the necessary files
and directories. Sometimes, paths may be incorrect or missing.
5.​ Use pipeline blocks:

Use try-catch blocks in the pipeline script to catch errors and gain more visibility into
where the failure occurs. For example:​
groovy​
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try {
// Steps that may fail
} catch (Exception e) {
echo "Pipeline failed: ${e.message}"
}

6.​ Check for resource limits:

○​ Ensure there are no resource limitations in the pipeline execution. For instance,
long-running tasks might hit timeouts if not properly configured.

9. Jenkins High Availability (HA) and Backup Issues

Symptoms:

●​ Jenkins fails to recover from failures, or HA setup is not working as expected.

●​ Data loss when Jenkins is restarted or fails.

Possible Causes:

●​ Misconfigured high availability setup.

●​ Backup/restore processes are not working properly.
●​ Inconsistent configuration between Jenkins master and agent.​
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Troubleshooting Steps:

1.​ Check the Jenkins HA setup:

○​ If using multiple Jenkins masters for high availability, ensure that the setup is
correctly configured. For Jenkins HA, configurations like Jenkins Master
and Jenkins Slave should be properly synchronized.
○​ If using tools like Jenkins Swarm, ensure all nodes are connected correctly.
2.​ Verify the backup process:
○​ Ensure that Jenkins backup strategies (both configuration and data) are
properly set up.
○​ Use the Jenkins Backup Plugin or external backup solutions to back up the
configuration and job data regularly.
○​ Ensure the backup is being restored correctly if recovery is needed.
3.​ Check for storage or database issues:
○​ If using external storage (e.g., MySQL, MongoDB) or a distributed file system
(like NFS), ensure the storage backend is configured correctly.
○​ Verify file access rights to ensure the Jenkins user can read and write backup
files.
4.​ Review Jenkins Master-Slave Configuration:
○​ In a distributed environment, ensure that agents are correctly connected to the
master.
○​ Check the Jenkins > Manage Nodes and Clouds settings for agent
configurations.

10. Jenkins Job Queue and Build Queuing Issues

Symptoms:

●​ Jobs are stuck in the queue, not getting executed.

●​ Build queue growing longer and longer without being processed.

Possible Causes:

●​ Insufficient executors available.​

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●​ Resource contention or blockage on agents.

●​ Misconfigured job priorities or scheduling.

Troubleshooting Steps:

1.​ Check executor availability:

○​ Ensure that the Jenkins master or agents have enough executors to handle the
job load.
○​ Go to Manage Jenkins > Manage Nodes to verify the number of available
executors.
2.​ Review job priorities:
○​ If using job prioritization or blocking builds, ensure that the configuration is
correct. For instance, a job may be blocked by another job that holds the same
resources.
3.​ Monitor job queue:
○​ Monitor the build queue to see if there are any pending jobs. If there’s a large
backlog, increase the number of executors or distribute the load across more
agents.
○​ You can configure Job Throttling to ensure jobs are processed more evenly.
4.​ Check for resource exhaustion:
○​ Ensure there are no resource limits being hit on the Jenkins master or agents.
Resource constraints like memory or CPU overload can slow down job
execution or prevent jobs from starting.

11. Jenkins Cron and Scheduled Job Failures

Symptoms:

●​ Scheduled jobs do not run at the configured times.

●​ No logs or error output for missed jobs.

Possible Causes:

●​ Misconfigured cron expressions.

●​ Jenkins scheduler service not running.​
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●​ System time mismatch between Jenkins and the server.

Troubleshooting Steps:

1.​ Check cron expressions:

○​ Review the cron expressions used in the scheduled jobs. Ensure they are
correctly formatted and match the intended schedule.
○​ You can use tools like Crontab Guru to validate cron expressions.
2.​ Verify Jenkins system time:
○​ Ensure the Jenkins server time matches the expected system time. Time zone
mismatches can cause scheduled jobs to miss their expected runtime.
○​ You can check the server time using date and adjust the time zone if
necessary.
3.​ Review the Jenkins Scheduler logs:
○​ Check the Jenkins logs for any errors related to the cron scheduler. The issue
may be related to the job execution policy or conflicts with other jobs.
4.​ Ensure the job is enabled:
○​ Make sure the scheduled job is enabled in the configuration. Jobs may be
scheduled but disabled, preventing execution.

12. Jenkins User Interface (UI) Issues

Symptoms:

●​ Jenkins UI is unresponsive or slow.

●​ The UI does not load correctly or shows blank pages.
●​ Users are unable to access certain parts of the Jenkins interface.

Possible Causes:

●​ UI-related plugin failures or conflicts.

●​ Corrupted Jenkins workspace or cache.
●​ JavaScript or frontend issues due to outdated plugins or browser incompatibility.
●​ Insufficient memory or system resources affecting UI performance.

Troubleshooting Steps:​
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1.​ Clear browser cache and cookies:

○​ Sometimes, old data in your browser's cache can interfere with loading the
Jenkins UI. Clear the browser cache and cookies or try opening Jenkins in an
incognito window to see if the issue persists.
2.​ Check for plugin issues:
○​ UI issues can sometimes be caused by problematic plugins. Disable recently
added or updated plugins one at a time, and check if the UI loads correctly
after each change.
○​ If you can access the Jenkins UI, go to Manage Jenkins > Manage Plugins to ​
check for any plugin updates or conflicting plugins.
3.​ Check for errors in the browser's developer console:
○​ Open the browser developer tools (usually accessible with F12 or
Ctrl+Shift+I), and look for any JavaScript errors in the console that may
be preventing the UI from rendering properly.
○​ Pay attention to any network requests failing (e.g., failed API requests) that
could be blocking the UI from loading.
4.​ Review Jenkins logs for UI-related errors:
○​ Check Jenkins logs for any errors related to UI rendering. Errors might include
issues with plugin dependencies or corrupted data.
○​ The relevant log files can often be found in the Jenkins home directory (e.g.,
/var/log/jenkins/jenkins.log).
5.​ Optimize system resources:
○​ If the Jenkins UI is slow, consider optimizing the underlying system. Monitor
memory and CPU usage during periods of UI slowness. You may need to
allocate more resources to Jenkins or reduce the number of concurrent builds.
6.​ Check for broken UI components:
○​ If a specific part of the UI is failing, such as the job configuration page or the
build details page, check whether the issue is related to a specific plugin or a
particular configuration in Jenkins.

13. Jenkins Slave Node Issues

Symptoms:​
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●​ Jenkins slave nodes are not connecting to the master.

●​ Slave nodes are in an offline state or unable to execute builds.
●​ Builds on slave nodes are failing.

Possible Causes:

●​ Network or firewall issues preventing connection to the master.

●​ Misconfigured slave node or incorrect slave configuration.
●​ Slave JVM or agent process crashes.
●​ Security issues with the master-slave connection (e.g., credential misconfiguration).

Troubleshooting Steps:

1.​ Check agent logs:

○​ On the slave node, check the Jenkins agent logs for errors or failed connection
attempts. You can usually find the logs in the agent’s home directory or
through the Jenkins master’s console output for the particular slave.
○​ Ensure that the slave node is trying to connect using the correct port, and ​
check if the connection is being blocked.
2.​ Check network/firewall settings:
○​ Ensure that there are no network or firewall issues preventing communication
between the Jenkins master and slave. Verify that the slave can reach the
master on the correct port (e.g., port 8080, or a custom port if specified).
3.​ Verify slave node configuration:
○​ In Jenkins, go to Manage Jenkins > Manage Nodes and check the configuration
of the slave node. Ensure that the slave node is correctly ​
defined with valid labels, and check that the necessary tools (e.g., JDK, Maven)
are available on the slave machine.
4.​ Ensure correct agent Java version:
○​ The Jenkins slave requires a Java runtime environment. Ensure the correct
version of Java is installed on the slave machine, and verify that the
environment variables such as JAVA_HOME are correctly set.
5.​ Check for security and credentials issues:​
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○​ Ensure that any required authentication credentials for the slave node (e.g.,
SSH keys, username/password) are properly set up.
○​ If you are using SSH to connect the agent, verify that SSH keys are correctly
configured, and the user has the necessary permissions to access the slave
machine.
6.​ Restart the slave node:
○​ If a slave node has become unresponsive, try restarting the agent process or
the entire slave machine to reestablish the connection.

14. Jenkins System Configuration and Environment Issues

Symptoms:

●​ Jenkins is misbehaving due to incorrect configurations (e.g., incorrect system paths,

tool locations).
●​ Jenkins is unable to find necessary tools or dependencies.

Possible Causes:

●​ Misconfigured system settings (e.g., wrong paths for JDK, Maven).

●​ Missing system dependencies or environment variables.
●​ Conflicting system settings or Jenkins environment variables.

Troubleshooting Steps:

1.​ Check system environment variables:

○​ Ensure all required system environment variables (e.g., PATH, JAVA_HOME,
MAVEN_HOME, etc.) are correctly set in the Jenkins configuration and the
operating system.
○​ You can define system-wide variables or configure them for specific Jenkins
jobs or nodes.
2.​ Verify tool configurations:
○​ In Manage Jenkins > Global Tool Configuration, verify the configuration of tools
like JDK, Maven, Git, etc., to ensure they point to the correct locations on the
system.​
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○​ If Jenkins is unable to find the tools, the paths might need to be updated or
tools reinstalled.
3.​ Check for conflicting environment variables:
○​ Review the environment configuration both on the system and in Jenkins to
ensure there are no conflicting variables that could affect Jenkins' behavior or
the execution of builds.
4.​ Inspect file system permissions:
○​ Verify that Jenkins has the appropriate file permissions to access required
directories, especially in shared directories where Jenkins stores its builds and
logs.
○​ In some cases, file permission errors may prevent Jenkins from reading or
writing to certain locations.

15. Jenkins Email Notification Issues

Symptoms:

●​ Jenkins is not sending email notifications for job results or alerts.

●​ Users do not receive emails on job success, failure, or other events.

Possible Causes:

●​ Misconfigured email server settings.

●​ Incorrect email address configuration.
●​ Email server issues or blocks (e.g., Gmail blocking outbound emails).

Troubleshooting Steps:

1.​ Check email configuration:

○​ Go to Manage Jenkins > Configure System and verify the SMTP server settings
for email notifications. Ensure that the correct mail server, port, and
authentication credentials are configured.
2.​ Test email sending manually:
○​ Use the Test Configuration by sending a test email option in Jenkins to verify
that the email configuration is correct and that Jenkins can send an email.​
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3.​ Verify email server access:

Ensure that Jenkins can connect to the email server, especially if it requires authentication or
is behind a firewall. You can use a tool like telnet to test the connection to the email server:​
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telnet smtp.gmail.com 587

4.​ Check Jenkins logs for email errors:

○​ Review Jenkins logs for any errors related to email notifications. This can
include authentication errors, connection timeouts, or other email delivery
issues.
5.​ Check spam or blocklists:
○​ Ensure that the email notifications are not being flagged as spam or blocked by
the receiving mail server. Sometimes email providers may block automated
emails from Jenkins if they are perceived as spam.

16. Jenkins Build Artifact Issues

Symptoms:

●​ Jenkins is not archiving or finding build artifacts.

●​ Build artifacts are not being published, or artifacts are missing from the job’s build
history.

Possible Causes:

●​ Misconfigured artifact archiving.

●​ Incorrect paths to artifacts.
●​ Permissions issues on build directories.

Troubleshooting Steps:

1.​ Verify artifact archiving configuration:

○​ In the job configuration, ensure that the correct files or directories are specified
under the "Post-build Actions" section for archiving artifacts.​
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○​ Double-check the file path patterns (e.g., **/*.jar) to ensure they match the
expected locations of build artifacts.
2.​ Check permissions on artifact directories:
○​ Verify that Jenkins has the necessary permissions to write build artifacts to the
configured directories.
○​ Ensure that the file system path is correct and that the Jenkins user can ​
access the directory.
3.​ Review the build console output:
○​ Check the job's console output for any errors or warnings related to artifact
archiving. Missing or incorrect file paths may prevent Jenkins from finding the
artifacts.
4.​ Manually inspect build directories:
○​ Look in the workspace directory of the job to verify that the artifacts were
generated during the build. If artifacts are missing, the issue could be with the
build process itself rather than the artifact archiving.

17. Jenkins Disk Space and File System Issues

Symptoms:

●​ Jenkins fails to start or behaves erratically due to disk space issues.

●​ Builds are slow, or builds fail due to insufficient disk space.
●​ Jenkins logs or job artifacts are not being stored properly.

Possible Causes:

●​ Jenkins home directory is running out of disk space.

●​ Build artifacts or logs are consuming too much space.
●​ Incorrectly configured log or artifact retention policies.

Troubleshooting Steps:

1.​ Monitor disk space:

Check the available disk space on the Jenkins server, especially in the Jenkins home ​
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directory. You can use the following command:​
df -h /var/lib/jenkins

○​ If space is running low, delete unnecessary files or move Jenkins to a ​

larger disk or partition.
2.​ Clean up old build artifacts and logs:
○​ Use Jenkins' "Discard Old Builds" feature under job configuration to
automatically delete old build artifacts and logs after a certain period.
○​ You can configure Jenkins to discard build artifacts, logs, or even entire jobs
that are older than a certain number of days or builds.
3.​ Move Jenkins to a larger disk:
○​ If the Jenkins home directory is running out of space, consider moving it to a
larger disk or partition. To do this:
■​ Shut down Jenkins.
■​ Move the Jenkins home directory (typically /var/lib/jenkins or
/usr/share/jenkins).
■​ Update the configuration to point to the new location using the
JENKINS_HOME environment variable or by modifying the startup
scripts.
4.​ Review file retention settings:
○​ For log files, configure the Log Rotation option in Manage Jenkins > Configure
System to limit the size and number of logs retained by Jenkins.
○​ Set up the "Max Build Artifacts" option in job configurations to automatically
delete older build outputs.
5.​ Increase the disk space:
○​ If you are running Jenkins on a virtual machine or cloud infrastructure, allocate
additional disk space to the instance.
○​ If on physical hardware, consider adding another disk to the server to
accommodate Jenkins' growing data requirements.
6.​ Remove or archive old jobs and builds:
○​ For old jobs or projects that are no longer needed, consider archiving them and
then deleting them from Jenkins to free up space.​
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18. Jenkins Pipeline Syntax Errors

Symptoms:

●​ Jenkins pipeline fails with errors related to syntax in the pipeline definition (e.g.,
Jenkinsfile).
●​ Pipeline steps show unclear or cryptic error messages indicating improper syntax.

Possible Causes:

●​ Incorrect syntax or structure in the Jenkinsfile.

●​ Missing or incorrect pipeline block definitions (e.g., stages, steps).
●​ Incorrect use of pipeline functions or directives.

Troubleshooting Steps:

1.​ Review the Jenkinsfile syntax:

○​ Go over the syntax of your Jenkinsfile. Ensure that pipeline steps, stages,
and script blocks are properly defined and closed.
○​ Use proper indentation and make sure that every block (e.g., stage, steps,
script) is correctly nested.
2.​ Use the pipeline syntax validator:
○​ Jenkins has a built-in Pipeline Syntax tool that can help validate syntax and
generate the proper steps for use in a pipeline script.
○​ You can access this tool via Jenkins > Pipeline Syntax.
3.​ Enable pipeline debugging:

Enable debugging in the pipeline by using echo or print commands in the script:​
groovy​
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echo "Debugging pipeline..."

○​ This helps in identifying where the error occurs and narrow down the issue.
4.​ Check the Jenkins console output:
○​ Analyze the job's console output for detailed error messages. Jenkins usually ​
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points out which line or block in the pipeline is causing the error, helping you
identify the issue.
5.​ Review pipeline documentation:
○​ If you're using advanced pipeline features like declarative syntax or scripted
pipelines, review the official Jenkins Pipeline documentation to ensure you’re
using the correct syntax and structure.
6.​ Use try-catch for error handling:

Use try-catch blocks in the pipeline to handle errors gracefully and provide more
informative messages for debugging:​
Groovy​
try {
// Some pipeline code
} catch (Exception e) {
echo "Caught error: ${e}"
}

19. Jenkins Authentication and Authorization Issues

Symptoms:

●​ Users are unable to log in or perform certain actions due to authentication or

authorization failures.
●​ Jenkins permissions are not working as expected (e.g., users can see and edit jobs they
shouldn't have access to).

Possible Causes:

●​ Misconfigured security settings or access control.

●​ Problems with integrated security providers (e.g., LDAP, Active Directory).
●​ Incorrect user roles or permissions.

Troubleshooting Steps:

1.​ Review security configuration:​

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○​ Go to Manage Jenkins > Configure Global Security and review the security
settings.
○​ If you are using Jenkins' built-in user database, check the user permissions and
roles.
○​ If using external authentication providers (e.g., LDAP), verify the connection
settings and credentials.
2.​ Check user roles and permissions:
○​ Jenkins uses role-based access control (RBAC). Review the permissions assigned
to each role and ensure that users have the correct permissions.
○​ Check the Matrix-based security or Project-based Matrix Authorization Strategy
settings to ensure users have access only to the resources they are authorized
to use.
3.​ Test authentication settings:
○​ If you are using external authentication methods (e.g., LDAP, OAuth), verify
that the connection to the external provider is working properly. You can test
the configuration by trying to log in with different user credentials or using the
Test LDAP Configuration button (if using LDAP).
4.​ Ensure user access rights are set correctly:
○​ In Manage Jenkins > Manage Users, verify that users have appropriate rights to
access Jenkins or specific jobs.
○​ Ensure that the job or project permissions are configured properly so that users
are allowed to run builds, configure settings, and view results.
5.​ Reset user passwords or permissions:
○​ If users are locked out or cannot access Jenkins, consider resetting their
passwords or adjusting their permissions in the user management section.

20. Jenkins Backup and Disaster Recovery

Symptoms:

●​ Critical Jenkins data is lost due to system failure or accidental deletion.

●​ Jenkins cannot recover from a disaster (e.g., a hardware crash or corrupted
configuration).​
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Possible Causes:

●​ No backup strategy in place.

●​ Improper backup configuration.
●​ Backup files are not stored or maintained regularly.

Troubleshooting Steps:

1.​ Set up regular backups:

○​ Implement a regular backup strategy for Jenkins data, including configurations,
jobs, plugins, and build artifacts. You can use the Jenkins Backup Plugin or
automate backups via shell scripts.
○​ Store backups in a remote location (e.g., cloud storage, network drives) to
ensure that they are safe in case of a disaster.
2.​ Backup Jenkins configurations and job data:
○​ Backup the entire Jenkins home directory ($JENKINS_HOME), including
configurations, job histories, plugins, and workspace data.
○​ Consider using tools like rsync or tar for consistent backups.
3.​ Automate backup tasks:
○​ Schedule regular backups using cron jobs or other automation tools to ensure
that you always have up-to-date backups.

Example cron job for backup:​

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0 3 * * * /path/to/jenkins-backup-script.sh

4.​ Test backup restoration:

○​ Periodically test your backup restoration process to ensure that backups are
valid and can be restored when necessary.
○​ You can do this by restoring backups in a test environment or running a
simulated disaster recovery scenario.
5.​ Monitor backup processes:
○​ Set up alerts or monitoring for backup jobs to ensure they complete
successfully and any issues are flagged immediately.