Htop Troubleshooting and FAQ Recipes/Run as root for fuller visibility

See more processes and use privileged actions.

Section: Permissions and visibility

Run as root for fuller visibility

bash
bash
sudo htop
Explanation

On many systems, unprivileged users cannot fully inspect other users' processes.

Learn the surrounding workflow

Compare similar commands or jump into common fixes when this command is part of a bigger troubleshooting path.

Related commands

Same sheet · prioritizing Permissions and visibility
Check /proc hidepid settings
Determine whether procfs restrictions hide details.
OpenIn sheetbashsame section
Limit noise to your own processes
Use a user filter when system-wide lists are overwhelming.
OpenIn sheetbashsame section
Avoid accidental process changes
Use read-only mode in production troubleshooting.
OpenIn sheetbashsame section
Use monochrome when colors render poorly
Work around bad terminal color support.
Use a focused PID list in narrow terminals
Reduce clutter when columns wrap or truncate heavily.
Interpret CPU% carefully on multicore systems
One process can exceed 100% if it uses multiple cores.