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I have a python file that has to be run with sudo elevation every 6 hours.

I created the cronjob using sudo crontab -e and then added the entry:

0 */6 * * * cd /home/timeflow/backup && sudo /usr/bin/python3 /home/timeflow/backup/backup_db.py

However, this file is never ran. I have also tried removing sudo from sudo /usr/bin/python3 home/timeflow/backup/backup_db.py, however this does nothing as well. For clarity:

0 */6 * * * cd /home/timeflow/backup && /usr/bin/python3 /home/timeflow/backup/backup_db.py

I have no idea why this is not working. I tried to do a smaller job, by creating a random python file in the same repo to no avail. The entry was:

* */6 * * * touch /home/timeflow/test.py
chxnge
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    Are you really running 14.04, which is now ~3 years past end-of-life? Is your home directory encrypted? Does `/var/log/syslog` show any entries related to these cronjobs? Also try the answers in https://askubuntu.com/q/23009/158442 – muru Jun 01 '22 at 07:49
  • Only supported releases of Ubuntu (*standard or public support*) are on-topic for this site. Ubuntu 14.04 LTS is EOL (*end-of-life*) thus off-topic, and Ubuntu 14.04 ESM is in *extended* support and supported by Canonical via Ubuntu Advantage thus also off-topic here. Refer https://askubuntu.com/help/on-topic https://help.ubuntu.com/community/EOLUpgrades https://fridge.ubuntu.com/2019/05/02/ubuntu-14-04-trusty-tahr-reached-end-of-life-on-april-25-2019-esm-available/ *You didn't specifically mention a release; but you've tagged your release as an off-topic release* – guiverc Jun 01 '22 at 07:50
  • @muru @guiverc Sorry that was a mis-click. I am running 20.04. `/var/log/syslog` seems to show that the cronjobs are running properly. – chxnge Jun 01 '22 at 08:03
  • One way to troubleshoot this is to write a script containing three commands: first, echo something "I have started", and then include the `cd` and `python3` commands. Modify the python program to print debugging messages to sysout. Have cron run that script instead, and redirect sysout and syserr to a log file. – Jos Jun 01 '22 at 09:03

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