Disk Full on Linux: Find What’s Taking Space + Clean Safely

Identify large files, clear logs/caches, Docker space, and safely free disk space on Linux.

Keywords: disk full linux, no space left on device

1) Find where space is going

df -h
sudo du -xhd1 / | sort -h
sudo du -xhd1 /var | sort -h

2) Usual suspects (safe cleanups)

• APT cache (Ubuntu/Debian):
  

  sudo apt clean
  sudo apt autoremove --purge

• Journal logs:
  

  sudo journalctl --disk-usage
  sudo journalctl --vacuum-time=7d

• Old kernels: sudo apt autoremove usually handles this.

3) Docker eating your disk?

docker system df
docker image prune -a
docker container prune
docker volume prune

Be careful: pruning removes unused images/containers/volumes.

4) Find the biggest files quickly

sudo find / -xdev -type f -size +1G -print 2>/dev/null | head
sudo ncdu /

5) Prevent it happening again

Set log limits, monitor disk, and keep Docker/VM images on a separate drive if possible.