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After updating Ubuntu software 16.04 I couldn't use VLC player any more and then I removed VLC and tried to install it again and this showed:

This error could be caused by required additional software packages which are missing or not installable. Furthermore there could be a conflict between software packages which are not allowed to be installed at the same time.

Does anyone know what should I do to repair VLC ?

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    How did you remove and reinstall VLC?
    – edwinksl
    Jun 29, 2016 at 17:20
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    What does it say when you expand the Details section of that error message?
    – Byte Commander ♦
    Jun 29, 2016 at 17:29
  • I removed it in ubuntu software center
    – Lana
    Jun 29, 2016 at 17:31
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    Did you remove the Optional add-ons as well? You have to completely remove VLC before attempting to reinstall. To completely remove it from Ubuntu, close Ubuntu Software Center, open a Terminal window and type: sudo apt-get remove --purge vlc. The open (Gnome) Software and (re)install VLC. Ubuntu Software Center is no longer recommended for 16.04.
    – ipse lute
    Jun 29, 2016 at 17:40
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    @Lana Sorry, this information is nearly unreadable without proper formatting. Please remove your comments and edit your question to add it there, using code formatting. You should always put important additional information in the question so that it is better visible as well.
    – Byte Commander ♦
    Jun 29, 2016 at 20:14

1 Answer 1

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Run the following commands in terminal.

Issue the following command to get a list of the held packages:

dpkg --get-selections | grep hold

Then issue the following command against each held package:

echo "package_name install" | sudo dpkg --set-selection

Now you should be able to install VLC with the following:

This makes sure your packages are up to date:

sudo apt-get update ; sudo apt-get upgrade

This removes any existing VLC install, including any configuration files:

sudo apt-get purge vlc

This installs VLC:

sudo apt-get install vlc

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  • Another useful command is sudo apt-get install -f which tries to resolve dependency issues.
    – Ads20000
    Jun 29, 2016 at 17:46
  • @Jibberish51 when I tried the last comand sudo apt-get install vlc it said : E: Unable to correct problems, you have held broken packages.
    – Lana
    Jun 29, 2016 at 19:21
  • Issue the command dpkg --get-selections | grep hold to get a list of the held packages. Then issue echo "package_name install"|sudo dpkg --set-selections on each package_name that is held
    – Jibberish51
    Jun 29, 2016 at 21:56
  • Source: To get a list of held packages To release the hold on those packages
    – Jibberish51
    Jun 29, 2016 at 22:03
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    @Lana: Well ,don't let us standing here like stupid dorks! Please help us with an exact answer of how you made it to work.
    – ipse lute
    Jun 30, 2016 at 12:09

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