apt-get update stuck at 100%[Waiting for headers] at "Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/universe Translation-en"

Question

Not sure what has happened to my Ubuntu 13.04 server. It is pretty much a LAMP & SAMBA server only, no other apps installed, no shell, command line only.

I run an apt-get update a fortnight ago and it all worked fine. Today I notice another set of updates available so I try again, and I keep getting stuck at:

Hit http://security.ubuntu.com precise-security/universe Translation-en
100% [Waiting for headers]

Every time it stops there. Letting it go for a while it eventually gives the message

Err http://au.archive.ubuntu.com precise-updates Release.gpg
  Connection failed

I tried solutions from the following article (and the links in it) but I have not fixed the issue:

apt-get update very slow, stuck at “Waiting for headers”

I live in Australia and my Internet speed test is showing 500Kbps right now. Any suggestions are really welcome.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

This might be a temporary problem with the mirror. I also can't reach the mirror at the moment of writing. Launchpad lists mirrors in Australia. Most of them are in a good shape and you could also choose them. The Ubuntu Wiki also has a page on Australian apt mirrors.