diff --git a/arch/um/drivers/ubd_kern.c b/arch/um/drivers/ubd_kern.c
index 41bf72073ccc..879990cb66c6 100644
--- a/arch/um/drivers/ubd_kern.c
+++ b/arch/um/drivers/ubd_kern.c
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ static DEFINE_MUTEX(ubd_lock);
 static DEFINE_MUTEX(ubd_mutex); /* replaces BKL, might not be needed */
 
 static int ubd_open(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode);
-static int ubd_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode);
+static void ubd_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode);
 static int ubd_ioctl(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode,
 		     unsigned int cmd, unsigned long arg);
 static int ubd_getgeo(struct block_device *bdev, struct hd_geometry *geo);
@@ -1138,7 +1138,7 @@ out:
 	return err;
 }
 
-static int ubd_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void ubd_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	struct ubd *ubd_dev = disk->private_data;
 
@@ -1146,7 +1146,6 @@ static int ubd_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 	if(--ubd_dev->count == 0)
 		ubd_close_dev(ubd_dev);
 	mutex_unlock(&ubd_mutex);
-	return 0;
 }
 
 static void cowify_bitmap(__u64 io_offset, int length, unsigned long *cow_mask,
diff --git a/arch/xtensa/platforms/iss/simdisk.c b/arch/xtensa/platforms/iss/simdisk.c
index 88608cc11b8c..0345f43d34f3 100644
--- a/arch/xtensa/platforms/iss/simdisk.c
+++ b/arch/xtensa/platforms/iss/simdisk.c
@@ -139,13 +139,12 @@ static int simdisk_open(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static int simdisk_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void simdisk_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	struct simdisk *dev = disk->private_data;
 	spin_lock(&dev->lock);
 	--dev->users;
 	spin_unlock(&dev->lock);
-	return 0;
 }
 
 static const struct block_device_operations simdisk_ops = {
diff --git a/drivers/block/amiflop.c b/drivers/block/amiflop.c
index 386146d792d1..4ff85b8785ee 100644
--- a/drivers/block/amiflop.c
+++ b/drivers/block/amiflop.c
@@ -1634,7 +1634,7 @@ static int floppy_open(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static int floppy_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void floppy_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	struct amiga_floppy_struct *p = disk->private_data;
 	int drive = p - unit;
@@ -1654,7 +1654,6 @@ static int floppy_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 	floppy_off (drive | 0x40000000);
 #endif
 	mutex_unlock(&amiflop_mutex);
-	return 0;
 }
 
 /*
diff --git a/drivers/block/aoe/aoeblk.c b/drivers/block/aoe/aoeblk.c
index a129f8c8073d..916d9ed5c8aa 100644
--- a/drivers/block/aoe/aoeblk.c
+++ b/drivers/block/aoe/aoeblk.c
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ aoeblk_open(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode)
 	return -ENODEV;
 }
 
-static int
+static void
 aoeblk_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	struct aoedev *d = disk->private_data;
@@ -180,11 +180,9 @@ aoeblk_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 	if (--d->nopen == 0) {
 		spin_unlock_irqrestore(&d->lock, flags);
 		aoecmd_cfg(d->aoemajor, d->aoeminor);
-		return 0;
+		return;
 	}
 	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&d->lock, flags);
-
-	return 0;
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/drivers/block/ataflop.c b/drivers/block/ataflop.c
index ede16c64ff07..0e30c6e5492a 100644
--- a/drivers/block/ataflop.c
+++ b/drivers/block/ataflop.c
@@ -367,7 +367,7 @@ static void fd_probe( int drive );
 static int fd_test_drive_present( int drive );
 static void config_types( void );
 static int floppy_open(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode);
-static int floppy_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode);
+static void floppy_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode);
 
 /************************* End of Prototypes **************************/
 
@@ -1886,7 +1886,7 @@ static int floppy_unlocked_open(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode)
 	return ret;
 }
 
-static int floppy_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void floppy_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	struct atari_floppy_struct *p = disk->private_data;
 	mutex_lock(&ataflop_mutex);
@@ -1897,7 +1897,6 @@ static int floppy_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 		p->ref = 0;
 	}
 	mutex_unlock(&ataflop_mutex);
-	return 0;
 }
 
 static const struct block_device_operations floppy_fops = {
diff --git a/drivers/block/cciss.c b/drivers/block/cciss.c
index e18c99140c0a..94b51c5e0678 100644
--- a/drivers/block/cciss.c
+++ b/drivers/block/cciss.c
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ static irqreturn_t do_cciss_intx(int irq, void *dev_id);
 static irqreturn_t do_cciss_msix_intr(int irq, void *dev_id);
 static int cciss_open(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode);
 static int cciss_unlocked_open(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode);
-static int cciss_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode);
+static void cciss_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode);
 static int do_ioctl(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode,
 		    unsigned int cmd, unsigned long arg);
 static int cciss_ioctl(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode,
@@ -1123,7 +1123,7 @@ static int cciss_unlocked_open(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode)
 /*
  * Close.  Sync first.
  */
-static int cciss_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void cciss_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	ctlr_info_t *h;
 	drive_info_struct *drv;
@@ -1135,7 +1135,6 @@ static int cciss_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 	drv->usage_count--;
 	h->usage_count--;
 	mutex_unlock(&cciss_mutex);
-	return 0;
 }
 
 static int do_ioctl(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode,
diff --git a/drivers/block/cpqarray.c b/drivers/block/cpqarray.c
index 3b9e8ebcb96b..639d26b90b91 100644
--- a/drivers/block/cpqarray.c
+++ b/drivers/block/cpqarray.c
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ static int sendcmd(
 	unsigned int log_unit );
 
 static int ida_unlocked_open(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode);
-static int ida_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode);
+static void ida_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode);
 static int ida_ioctl(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode, unsigned int cmd, unsigned long arg);
 static int ida_getgeo(struct block_device *bdev, struct hd_geometry *geo);
 static int ida_ctlr_ioctl(ctlr_info_t *h, int dsk, ida_ioctl_t *io);
@@ -856,7 +856,7 @@ static int ida_unlocked_open(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode)
 /*
  * Close.  Sync first.
  */
-static int ida_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void ida_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	ctlr_info_t *host;
 
@@ -864,8 +864,6 @@ static int ida_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 	host = get_host(disk);
 	host->usage_count--;
 	mutex_unlock(&cpqarray_mutex);
-
-	return 0;
 }
 
 /*
diff --git a/drivers/block/drbd/drbd_main.c b/drivers/block/drbd/drbd_main.c
index e98da675f0c1..298b868910dc 100644
--- a/drivers/block/drbd/drbd_main.c
+++ b/drivers/block/drbd/drbd_main.c
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ int drbd_asender(struct drbd_thread *);
 
 int drbd_init(void);
 static int drbd_open(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode);
-static int drbd_release(struct gendisk *gd, fmode_t mode);
+static void drbd_release(struct gendisk *gd, fmode_t mode);
 static int w_md_sync(struct drbd_work *w, int unused);
 static void md_sync_timer_fn(unsigned long data);
 static int w_bitmap_io(struct drbd_work *w, int unused);
@@ -1849,13 +1849,12 @@ static int drbd_open(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode)
 	return rv;
 }
 
-static int drbd_release(struct gendisk *gd, fmode_t mode)
+static void drbd_release(struct gendisk *gd, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	struct drbd_conf *mdev = gd->private_data;
 	mutex_lock(&drbd_main_mutex);
 	mdev->open_cnt--;
 	mutex_unlock(&drbd_main_mutex);
-	return 0;
 }
 
 static void drbd_set_defaults(struct drbd_conf *mdev)
diff --git a/drivers/block/floppy.c b/drivers/block/floppy.c
index 2ddd64a9ffde..c49e85608101 100644
--- a/drivers/block/floppy.c
+++ b/drivers/block/floppy.c
@@ -3601,7 +3601,7 @@ static void __init config_types(void)
 		pr_cont("\n");
 }
 
-static int floppy_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void floppy_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	int drive = (long)disk->private_data;
 
@@ -3615,8 +3615,6 @@ static int floppy_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 		opened_bdev[drive] = NULL;
 	mutex_unlock(&open_lock);
 	mutex_unlock(&floppy_mutex);
-
-	return 0;
 }
 
 /*
diff --git a/drivers/block/loop.c b/drivers/block/loop.c
index b2955b3f2cbc..d92d50fd84b7 100644
--- a/drivers/block/loop.c
+++ b/drivers/block/loop.c
@@ -1518,7 +1518,7 @@ out:
 	return err;
 }
 
-static int lo_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void lo_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	struct loop_device *lo = disk->private_data;
 	int err;
@@ -1535,7 +1535,7 @@ static int lo_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 		 */
 		err = loop_clr_fd(lo);
 		if (!err)
-			goto out_unlocked;
+			return;
 	} else {
 		/*
 		 * Otherwise keep thread (if running) and config,
@@ -1546,8 +1546,6 @@ static int lo_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 
 out:
 	mutex_unlock(&lo->lo_ctl_mutex);
-out_unlocked:
-	return 0;
 }
 
 static const struct block_device_operations lo_fops = {
diff --git a/drivers/block/paride/pcd.c b/drivers/block/paride/pcd.c
index ba2b6b5e5910..e76bdc074dbe 100644
--- a/drivers/block/paride/pcd.c
+++ b/drivers/block/paride/pcd.c
@@ -236,13 +236,12 @@ static int pcd_block_open(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode)
 	return ret;
 }
 
-static int pcd_block_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void pcd_block_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	struct pcd_unit *cd = disk->private_data;
 	mutex_lock(&pcd_mutex);
 	cdrom_release(&cd->info, mode);
 	mutex_unlock(&pcd_mutex);
-	return 0;
 }
 
 static int pcd_block_ioctl(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode,
diff --git a/drivers/block/paride/pd.c b/drivers/block/paride/pd.c
index 831e3ac156e6..19ad8f0c83ef 100644
--- a/drivers/block/paride/pd.c
+++ b/drivers/block/paride/pd.c
@@ -783,7 +783,7 @@ static int pd_ioctl(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode,
 	}
 }
 
-static int pd_release(struct gendisk *p, fmode_t mode)
+static void pd_release(struct gendisk *p, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	struct pd_unit *disk = p->private_data;
 
@@ -791,8 +791,6 @@ static int pd_release(struct gendisk *p, fmode_t mode)
 	if (!--disk->access && disk->removable)
 		pd_special_command(disk, pd_door_unlock);
 	mutex_unlock(&pd_mutex);
-
-	return 0;
 }
 
 static unsigned int pd_check_events(struct gendisk *p, unsigned int clearing)
diff --git a/drivers/block/paride/pf.c b/drivers/block/paride/pf.c
index ec8f9ed6326e..f5c86d523ba0 100644
--- a/drivers/block/paride/pf.c
+++ b/drivers/block/paride/pf.c
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ static int pf_ioctl(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode,
 		    unsigned int cmd, unsigned long arg);
 static int pf_getgeo(struct block_device *bdev, struct hd_geometry *geo);
 
-static int pf_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode);
+static void pf_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode);
 
 static int pf_detect(void);
 static void do_pf_read(void);
@@ -360,14 +360,15 @@ static int pf_ioctl(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode, unsigned int cmd, u
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static int pf_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void pf_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	struct pf_unit *pf = disk->private_data;
 
 	mutex_lock(&pf_mutex);
 	if (pf->access <= 0) {
 		mutex_unlock(&pf_mutex);
-		return -EINVAL;
+		WARN_ON(1);
+		return;
 	}
 
 	pf->access--;
@@ -376,8 +377,6 @@ static int pf_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 		pf_lock(pf, 0);
 
 	mutex_unlock(&pf_mutex);
-	return 0;
-
 }
 
 static unsigned int pf_check_events(struct gendisk *disk, unsigned int clearing)
diff --git a/drivers/block/pktcdvd.c b/drivers/block/pktcdvd.c
index e0588c6dd86f..9f2d348f7115 100644
--- a/drivers/block/pktcdvd.c
+++ b/drivers/block/pktcdvd.c
@@ -2376,10 +2376,9 @@ out:
 	return ret;
 }
 
-static int pkt_close(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void pkt_close(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	struct pktcdvd_device *pd = disk->private_data;
-	int ret = 0;
 
 	mutex_lock(&pktcdvd_mutex);
 	mutex_lock(&ctl_mutex);
@@ -2391,7 +2390,6 @@ static int pkt_close(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 	}
 	mutex_unlock(&ctl_mutex);
 	mutex_unlock(&pktcdvd_mutex);
-	return ret;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/drivers/block/rbd.c b/drivers/block/rbd.c
index b7b7a88d9f68..04ca496485b0 100644
--- a/drivers/block/rbd.c
+++ b/drivers/block/rbd.c
@@ -411,7 +411,7 @@ static int rbd_open(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static int rbd_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void rbd_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	struct rbd_device *rbd_dev = disk->private_data;
 	unsigned long open_count_before;
@@ -424,8 +424,6 @@ static int rbd_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 	mutex_lock_nested(&ctl_mutex, SINGLE_DEPTH_NESTING);
 	put_device(&rbd_dev->dev);
 	mutex_unlock(&ctl_mutex);
-
-	return 0;
 }
 
 static const struct block_device_operations rbd_bd_ops = {
diff --git a/drivers/block/swim.c b/drivers/block/swim.c
index 8766a2257091..2f445b7a174e 100644
--- a/drivers/block/swim.c
+++ b/drivers/block/swim.c
@@ -673,7 +673,7 @@ static int floppy_unlocked_open(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode)
 	return ret;
 }
 
-static int floppy_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void floppy_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	struct floppy_state *fs = disk->private_data;
 	struct swim __iomem *base = fs->swd->base;
@@ -687,8 +687,6 @@ static int floppy_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 	if (fs->ref_count == 0)
 		swim_motor(base, OFF);
 	mutex_unlock(&swim_mutex);
-
-	return 0;
 }
 
 static int floppy_ioctl(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode,
diff --git a/drivers/block/swim3.c b/drivers/block/swim3.c
index 758f2ac878cf..20e061c3e023 100644
--- a/drivers/block/swim3.c
+++ b/drivers/block/swim3.c
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ static int fd_eject(struct floppy_state *fs);
 static int floppy_ioctl(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode,
 			unsigned int cmd, unsigned long param);
 static int floppy_open(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode);
-static int floppy_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode);
+static void floppy_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode);
 static unsigned int floppy_check_events(struct gendisk *disk,
 					unsigned int clearing);
 static int floppy_revalidate(struct gendisk *disk);
@@ -1017,7 +1017,7 @@ static int floppy_unlocked_open(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode)
 	return ret;
 }
 
-static int floppy_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void floppy_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	struct floppy_state *fs = disk->private_data;
 	struct swim3 __iomem *sw = fs->swim3;
@@ -1029,7 +1029,6 @@ static int floppy_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 		swim3_select(fs, RELAX);
 	}
 	mutex_unlock(&swim3_mutex);
-	return 0;
 }
 
 static unsigned int floppy_check_events(struct gendisk *disk,
diff --git a/drivers/block/xen-blkfront.c b/drivers/block/xen-blkfront.c
index a894f88762d8..d89ef86220f4 100644
--- a/drivers/block/xen-blkfront.c
+++ b/drivers/block/xen-blkfront.c
@@ -1617,7 +1617,7 @@ out:
 	return err;
 }
 
-static int blkif_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void blkif_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	struct blkfront_info *info = disk->private_data;
 	struct block_device *bdev;
@@ -1658,7 +1658,6 @@ static int blkif_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 out:
 	bdput(bdev);
 	mutex_unlock(&blkfront_mutex);
-	return 0;
 }
 
 static const struct block_device_operations xlvbd_block_fops =
diff --git a/drivers/block/xsysace.c b/drivers/block/xsysace.c
index 1f38643173ca..f8ef15f37c5e 100644
--- a/drivers/block/xsysace.c
+++ b/drivers/block/xsysace.c
@@ -915,7 +915,7 @@ static int ace_open(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static int ace_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void ace_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	struct ace_device *ace = disk->private_data;
 	unsigned long flags;
@@ -932,7 +932,6 @@ static int ace_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 	}
 	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&ace->lock, flags);
 	mutex_unlock(&xsysace_mutex);
-	return 0;
 }
 
 static int ace_getgeo(struct block_device *bdev, struct hd_geometry *geo)
diff --git a/drivers/block/z2ram.c b/drivers/block/z2ram.c
index a22e3f895947..5a95baf4b104 100644
--- a/drivers/block/z2ram.c
+++ b/drivers/block/z2ram.c
@@ -309,20 +309,18 @@ err_out:
     return rc;
 }
 
-static int
+static void
 z2_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
     mutex_lock(&z2ram_mutex);
     if ( current_device == -1 ) {
     	mutex_unlock(&z2ram_mutex);
-    	return 0;
+    	return;
     }
     mutex_unlock(&z2ram_mutex);
     /*
      * FIXME: unmap memory
      */
-
-    return 0;
 }
 
 static const struct block_device_operations z2_fops =
diff --git a/drivers/cdrom/gdrom.c b/drivers/cdrom/gdrom.c
index d59cdcb8fe39..4afcb65cc623 100644
--- a/drivers/cdrom/gdrom.c
+++ b/drivers/cdrom/gdrom.c
@@ -503,12 +503,11 @@ static int gdrom_bdops_open(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode)
 	return ret;
 }
 
-static int gdrom_bdops_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void gdrom_bdops_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	mutex_lock(&gdrom_mutex);
 	cdrom_release(gd.cd_info, mode);
 	mutex_unlock(&gdrom_mutex);
-	return 0;
 }
 
 static unsigned int gdrom_bdops_check_events(struct gendisk *disk,
diff --git a/drivers/ide/ide-cd.c b/drivers/ide/ide-cd.c
index b23113926388..2ff620444930 100644
--- a/drivers/ide/ide-cd.c
+++ b/drivers/ide/ide-cd.c
@@ -1606,7 +1606,7 @@ out:
 	return rc;
 }
 
-static int idecd_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void idecd_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	struct cdrom_info *info = ide_drv_g(disk, cdrom_info);
 
@@ -1615,8 +1615,6 @@ static int idecd_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 
 	ide_cd_put(info);
 	mutex_unlock(&ide_cd_mutex);
-
-	return 0;
 }
 
 static int idecd_set_spindown(struct cdrom_device_info *cdi, unsigned long arg)
diff --git a/drivers/ide/ide-gd.c b/drivers/ide/ide-gd.c
index 70ea8763567d..de86631e767d 100644
--- a/drivers/ide/ide-gd.c
+++ b/drivers/ide/ide-gd.c
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ static int ide_gd_unlocked_open(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode)
 }
 
 
-static int ide_gd_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void ide_gd_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	struct ide_disk_obj *idkp = ide_drv_g(disk, ide_disk_obj);
 	ide_drive_t *drive = idkp->drive;
@@ -270,8 +270,6 @@ static int ide_gd_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 
 	ide_disk_put(idkp);
 	mutex_unlock(&ide_gd_mutex);
-
-	return 0;
 }
 
 static int ide_gd_getgeo(struct block_device *bdev, struct hd_geometry *geo)
diff --git a/drivers/ide/ide-tape.c b/drivers/ide/ide-tape.c
index 89f859591bbb..c6c574bd5f59 100644
--- a/drivers/ide/ide-tape.c
+++ b/drivers/ide/ide-tape.c
@@ -1918,15 +1918,13 @@ static int idetape_open(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode)
 	return 0;
 }
 
-static int idetape_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void idetape_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	struct ide_tape_obj *tape = ide_drv_g(disk, ide_tape_obj);
 
 	mutex_lock(&ide_tape_mutex);
 	ide_tape_put(tape);
 	mutex_unlock(&ide_tape_mutex);
-
-	return 0;
 }
 
 static int idetape_ioctl(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode,
diff --git a/drivers/md/dm.c b/drivers/md/dm.c
index 9a0bdad9ad8f..d5370a94b2c1 100644
--- a/drivers/md/dm.c
+++ b/drivers/md/dm.c
@@ -339,7 +339,7 @@ out:
 	return md ? 0 : -ENXIO;
 }
 
-static int dm_blk_close(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void dm_blk_close(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	struct mapped_device *md = disk->private_data;
 
@@ -349,8 +349,6 @@ static int dm_blk_close(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 	dm_put(md);
 
 	spin_unlock(&_minor_lock);
-
-	return 0;
 }
 
 int dm_open_count(struct mapped_device *md)
diff --git a/drivers/md/md.c b/drivers/md/md.c
index 4c74424c78b0..6330c727396c 100644
--- a/drivers/md/md.c
+++ b/drivers/md/md.c
@@ -6674,15 +6674,13 @@ static int md_open(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode)
 	return err;
 }
 
-static int md_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void md_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
  	struct mddev *mddev = disk->private_data;
 
 	BUG_ON(!mddev);
 	atomic_dec(&mddev->openers);
 	mddev_put(mddev);
-
-	return 0;
 }
 
 static int md_media_changed(struct gendisk *disk)
diff --git a/drivers/memstick/core/mspro_block.c b/drivers/memstick/core/mspro_block.c
index f12b78dbce04..f4176ca3a794 100644
--- a/drivers/memstick/core/mspro_block.c
+++ b/drivers/memstick/core/mspro_block.c
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ static int mspro_block_bd_open(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode)
 }
 
 
-static int mspro_block_disk_release(struct gendisk *disk)
+static void mspro_block_disk_release(struct gendisk *disk)
 {
 	struct mspro_block_data *msb = disk->private_data;
 	int disk_id = MINOR(disk_devt(disk)) >> MSPRO_BLOCK_PART_SHIFT;
@@ -224,13 +224,11 @@ static int mspro_block_disk_release(struct gendisk *disk)
 	}
 
 	mutex_unlock(&mspro_block_disk_lock);
-
-	return 0;
 }
 
-static int mspro_block_bd_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void mspro_block_bd_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
-	return mspro_block_disk_release(disk);
+	mspro_block_disk_release(disk);
 }
 
 static int mspro_block_bd_getgeo(struct block_device *bdev,
diff --git a/drivers/message/i2o/i2o_block.c b/drivers/message/i2o/i2o_block.c
index 49e86aed2bc4..6fc3866965df 100644
--- a/drivers/message/i2o/i2o_block.c
+++ b/drivers/message/i2o/i2o_block.c
@@ -600,10 +600,8 @@ static int i2o_block_open(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode)
  *
  *	Unlock and unmount the media, and power down the device. Gets called if
  *	the block device is closed.
- *
- *	Returns 0 on success or negative error code on failure.
  */
-static int i2o_block_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void i2o_block_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	struct i2o_block_device *dev = disk->private_data;
 	u8 operation;
@@ -617,7 +615,7 @@ static int i2o_block_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 	 * the TID no longer exists.
 	 */
 	if (!dev->i2o_dev)
-		return 0;
+		return;
 
 	mutex_lock(&i2o_block_mutex);
 	i2o_block_device_flush(dev->i2o_dev);
@@ -631,8 +629,6 @@ static int i2o_block_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 
 	i2o_block_device_power(dev, operation);
 	mutex_unlock(&i2o_block_mutex);
-
-	return 0;
 }
 
 static int i2o_block_getgeo(struct block_device *bdev, struct hd_geometry *geo)
diff --git a/drivers/mmc/card/block.c b/drivers/mmc/card/block.c
index e12a03cc2a6e..dd27b0783d52 100644
--- a/drivers/mmc/card/block.c
+++ b/drivers/mmc/card/block.c
@@ -304,14 +304,13 @@ static int mmc_blk_open(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode)
 	return ret;
 }
 
-static int mmc_blk_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void mmc_blk_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	struct mmc_blk_data *md = disk->private_data;
 
 	mutex_lock(&block_mutex);
 	mmc_blk_put(md);
 	mutex_unlock(&block_mutex);
-	return 0;
 }
 
 static int
diff --git a/drivers/mtd/mtd_blkdevs.c b/drivers/mtd/mtd_blkdevs.c
index 65d7e7e2fb1f..5073cbc796d8 100644
--- a/drivers/mtd/mtd_blkdevs.c
+++ b/drivers/mtd/mtd_blkdevs.c
@@ -237,12 +237,12 @@ error_put:
 	return ret;
 }
 
-static int blktrans_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void blktrans_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	struct mtd_blktrans_dev *dev = blktrans_dev_get(disk);
 
 	if (!dev)
-		return 0;
+		return;
 
 	mutex_lock(&dev->lock);
 
@@ -260,7 +260,6 @@ static int blktrans_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 unlock:
 	mutex_unlock(&dev->lock);
 	blktrans_dev_put(dev);
-	return 0;
 }
 
 static int blktrans_getgeo(struct block_device *bdev, struct hd_geometry *geo)
diff --git a/drivers/s390/block/dasd.c b/drivers/s390/block/dasd.c
index 82758cbb220b..4361d9772c42 100644
--- a/drivers/s390/block/dasd.c
+++ b/drivers/s390/block/dasd.c
@@ -2997,18 +2997,14 @@ unlock:
 	return rc;
 }
 
-static int dasd_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void dasd_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
-	struct dasd_device *base;
-
-	base = dasd_device_from_gendisk(disk);
-	if (!base)
-		return -ENODEV;
-
-	atomic_dec(&base->block->open_count);
-	module_put(base->discipline->owner);
-	dasd_put_device(base);
-	return 0;
+	struct dasd_device *base = dasd_device_from_gendisk(disk);
+	if (base) {
+		atomic_dec(&base->block->open_count);
+		module_put(base->discipline->owner);
+		dasd_put_device(base);
+	}
 }
 
 /*
diff --git a/drivers/s390/block/dcssblk.c b/drivers/s390/block/dcssblk.c
index b6ad0de07930..07ba32b07fb0 100644
--- a/drivers/s390/block/dcssblk.c
+++ b/drivers/s390/block/dcssblk.c
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
 #define DCSS_BUS_ID_SIZE 20
 
 static int dcssblk_open(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode);
-static int dcssblk_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode);
+static void dcssblk_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode);
 static void dcssblk_make_request(struct request_queue *q, struct bio *bio);
 static int dcssblk_direct_access(struct block_device *bdev, sector_t secnum,
 				 void **kaddr, unsigned long *pfn);
@@ -781,16 +781,15 @@ out:
 	return rc;
 }
 
-static int
+static void
 dcssblk_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	struct dcssblk_dev_info *dev_info = disk->private_data;
 	struct segment_info *entry;
-	int rc;
 
 	if (!dev_info) {
-		rc = -ENODEV;
-		goto out;
+		WARN_ON(1);
+		return;
 	}
 	down_write(&dcssblk_devices_sem);
 	if (atomic_dec_and_test(&dev_info->use_count)
@@ -803,9 +802,6 @@ dcssblk_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 		dev_info->save_pending = 0;
 	}
 	up_write(&dcssblk_devices_sem);
-	rc = 0;
-out:
-	return rc;
 }
 
 static void
diff --git a/drivers/s390/block/scm_blk.c b/drivers/s390/block/scm_blk.c
index b303cab76a7f..5d73e6e49af6 100644
--- a/drivers/s390/block/scm_blk.c
+++ b/drivers/s390/block/scm_blk.c
@@ -123,10 +123,9 @@ static int scm_open(struct block_device *blkdev, fmode_t mode)
 	return scm_get_ref();
 }
 
-static int scm_release(struct gendisk *gendisk, fmode_t mode)
+static void scm_release(struct gendisk *gendisk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	scm_put_ref();
-	return 0;
 }
 
 static const struct block_device_operations scm_blk_devops = {
diff --git a/drivers/scsi/sd.c b/drivers/scsi/sd.c
index 7992635d405f..e6689776b4f6 100644
--- a/drivers/scsi/sd.c
+++ b/drivers/scsi/sd.c
@@ -1188,7 +1188,7 @@ error_autopm:
  *
  *	Locking: called with bdev->bd_mutex held.
  **/
-static int sd_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void sd_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	struct scsi_disk *sdkp = scsi_disk(disk);
 	struct scsi_device *sdev = sdkp->device;
@@ -1207,7 +1207,6 @@ static int sd_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 
 	scsi_autopm_put_device(sdev);
 	scsi_disk_put(sdkp);
-	return 0;
 }
 
 static int sd_getgeo(struct block_device *bdev, struct hd_geometry *geo)
diff --git a/drivers/scsi/sr.c b/drivers/scsi/sr.c
index f2884ee90710..119d67f9c47e 100644
--- a/drivers/scsi/sr.c
+++ b/drivers/scsi/sr.c
@@ -541,14 +541,13 @@ static int sr_block_open(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode)
 	return ret;
 }
 
-static int sr_block_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
+static void sr_block_release(struct gendisk *disk, fmode_t mode)
 {
 	struct scsi_cd *cd = scsi_cd(disk);
 	mutex_lock(&sr_mutex);
 	cdrom_release(&cd->cdi, mode);
 	scsi_cd_put(cd);
 	mutex_unlock(&sr_mutex);
-	return 0;
 }
 
 static int sr_block_ioctl(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode, unsigned cmd,
diff --git a/fs/block_dev.c b/fs/block_dev.c
index ce08de7467a3..ad2a14174ae0 100644
--- a/fs/block_dev.c
+++ b/fs/block_dev.c
@@ -1422,7 +1422,7 @@ static int __blkdev_put(struct block_device *bdev, fmode_t mode, int for_part)
 	}
 	if (bdev->bd_contains == bdev) {
 		if (disk->fops->release)
-			ret = disk->fops->release(disk, mode);
+			disk->fops->release(disk, mode);
 	}
 	if (!bdev->bd_openers) {
 		struct module *owner = disk->fops->owner;
diff --git a/include/linux/blkdev.h b/include/linux/blkdev.h
index 78feda9bbae2..e38cfe77f7f0 100644
--- a/include/linux/blkdev.h
+++ b/include/linux/blkdev.h
@@ -1484,7 +1484,7 @@ static inline bool blk_integrity_is_initialized(struct gendisk *g)
 
 struct block_device_operations {
 	int (*open) (struct block_device *, fmode_t);
-	int (*release) (struct gendisk *, fmode_t);
+	void (*release) (struct gendisk *, fmode_t);
 	int (*ioctl) (struct block_device *, fmode_t, unsigned, unsigned long);
 	int (*compat_ioctl) (struct block_device *, fmode_t, unsigned, unsigned long);
 	int (*direct_access) (struct block_device *, sector_t,