How to fix broken packages using the Command Line

Back

Written by:

Score: 17
votes: 29
Format: Article

How to fix broken packages using the Command Line

Using aptitude for package management instead of apt-get, please note that it is bad practice to use aptitude and apt-get interchangeably, as they record separately the changes made by a user.

Open the Terminal from the Mint Menu and start with the commands:

sudo aptitude update && sudo aptitude install gtkorphan

The && is used to run the second command if the first command runs successfully.

Continue by running:

sudo aptitude update && sudo aptitude upgrade

This is used to double-check that you have all the updates.

To clear out the broken packages use the command:

sudo aptitude -f

It brings up a beautiful interface to search, navigate, install, update and otherwise to manage packages.

Use the commands on the screen to install all the updates. You may use the mouse or CTRL + T to open the menu. Also, you could use the arrow keys and the Enter key to navigate.

You can also install the Aptitude Package Manager if you want to use something like Synaptic. Just type aptitude-gtk in the search field of the Mint Menu and click on Install package 'aptitude-gtk'. You can then find it under the Administration menu.

You may also use other commands to:

install software for your system, with needed dependencies as well:

sudo aptitude install

remove packages as well as orphaned dependencies:

sudo aptitude remove

remove packages and orphaned dependencies, as well as any configuration files left behind:

sudo aptitude purge

search for packages in the local apt package lists:

sudo aptitude search package-name

show details about a package:

sudo aptitude show package-name

update the local packages lists:

sudo aptitude update

upgrade any installed packages that have been updated:

sudo aptitude upgrade

upgrade packages, even if it means uninstalling certain packages:

sudo aptitude dist-upgrade

delete only out-of-date packages, but keep current ones:

sudo aptitude autoclean

delete any downloaded files necessary for installing the software on your system:

sudo aptitude clean

fix a package at it’s current version, and don’t update it:

sudo aptitude hold

Recommended reading: Aptitude vs Apt-Get

Tags: CLI aptitude fix broken packages
Created: 6 years ago.
Last edited: 6 years ago.
Reviewed: 6 years ago.
Read 1680 times.

Comments
2 months ago	Sam_Sung	there is no aptitude-gtk package to be found in synaptic
2 months ago	Sam_Sung	lifesaver!
1 year ago	Alexio	Using aptitude for package management instead of apt-get (via Synaptic), please note that it is bad practice to use aptitude and apt-get interchangeably, as warned at the very beginning of this tutorial.
1 year ago	Anaemic	It is not necessary to install a program to fix broken packages. Open Synaptic Package Manager > click edit > click Fix Broken Packages
1 year ago	Alexio	Try the command: aptitude why-not package where package is the name of the package you want to install. For details see http://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/121149/fix-held-broken-packages-on-debian
2 years ago	gorade	Very nice and instructive. only it didn't solve the problem. The irksome "solve the problem with broken packages" is still there. I am accused for "holding back broken packages". What do I do wrong?
2 years ago	Fokir	Nice and straight. We like this
2 years ago	Xzoma	Works great thanks
3 years ago	linux1492	This article rules!!! Thanks so much. Well done.
4 years ago	ssj_satish	Nice article. Solved the problem, I was hunting for 3 days. Thanks a lot.
4 years ago	jaredchu	sudo aptitude -f this command removed all my package, when i come back my computer return black screen and nothing in there...
6 years ago	blueXrider	Good information.
6 years ago	remoulder	I didn't say your post was an idea, following your instructions is not a good idea. It may well have worked for you but you probably understand what you are doing. An inexperienced user doing this could cause themselves problems.
6 years ago	Alexio	This is a tutorial and not an idea :) It worked well for me and for others when Synaptic was not able to fix the broken packages. It is possible to install a nice front-end to aptitude called "aptitude-gtk".
6 years ago	remoulder	This is not a good idea, users should understand what is causing the broken packages, not just force a fix or they could end up removing needed software. Besides imo, it is easier to see what is going on using synaptic rather than aptitude.

community.linuxmint.com

How to fix broken packages using the Command Line

Other tutorials from Alexio