# unit-states

# 

| State | Description |
|----|----|
| `active` | Started, bound, plugged in, …, depending on the unit type. |
| `inactive` | Stopped, unbound, unplugged, …, depending on the unit type. |
| `failed` | Similar to `inactive`, but the unit failed in some way (process returned error code on exit, crashed, an operation timed out, or after too many restarts). |
| `activating` | Changing from `inactive` to `active`. |
| `deactivating` | Changing from `active` to `inactive`. |
| `maintenance` | Unit is `inactive` and a maintenance operation is in progress. |
| `reloading` | Unit is `active` and it is reloading its configuration. |
| `refreshing` | Unit is `active` and a new mount is being activated in its namespace. |

Unit ACTIVE states {#table}