How to Recover Missing GRUB2 Files from /boot?

Updated: 28 September 2026 · Applies to: AlmaLinux 9 and Rocky Linux 9

If the GRUB2 files in /boot are missing, the system cannot boot. Boot a rescue system, then reinstall GRUB2 and regenerate its configuration.

Steps (AlmaLinux / Rocky Linux)

1. Boot from the installation ISO (or the VPS rescue mode) and choose the rescue option; mount the system under /mnt/sysroot and chroot /mnt/sysroot.
2. Reinstall the boot packages: dnf reinstall grub2-* shim-* (UEFI) or dnf reinstall grub2-pc grub2-tools (BIOS).
3. On BIOS systems, write GRUB to the disk: grub2-install /dev/sda.
4. Regenerate the configuration: grub2-mkconfig -o /boot/grub2/grub.cfg.
5. Exit the chroot and reboot.

Note: Kernel files in /boot may also need reinstalling (dnf reinstall kernel-core). Our team can do this recovery as a paid task.