39

When I try to install .deb files with "Ubuntu Software", it keeps "Waiting to install" for ever.

6
  • 5
    This is a high priority bug and will be fixed soon. In the mean time u can use dpkg to install .deb files via terminal Apr 24, 2016 at 14:14
  • 2
    Possible duplicate of 16.04 Cannot install anything from Ubuntu Software center
    – chaskes
    Apr 24, 2016 at 19:16
  • 6
    Why did they release it as a new version of Ubuntu if it doesn't work yet? Not being able to manage packages with a package manager.... I wouldn't exactly call it a "bug".
    – Ben
    May 18, 2016 at 8:15
  • Agreed...its a problem. But its also an opportunity....to read your mail, hug your wife or child, or walk your dog. The app still gets the job done
    – Brad Horn
    Dec 25, 2016 at 6:55
  • 3
    How is this still a problem over a year later??
    – Andy Ray
    Aug 15, 2017 at 18:46

5 Answers 5

26

Install .deb packages from the terminal:

$ sudo dpkg -i <path/to/deb.deb>
$ sudo apt-get install -f

The reasoning behind apt-get install -f from the man page:

 -f, --fix-broken
           Fix; attempt to correct a system with broken dependencies in place. This option, when used with install/remove, can
           omit any packages to permit APT to deduce a likely solution. If packages are specified, these have to completely
           correct the problem. The option is sometimes necessary when running APT for the first time; APT itself does not allow
           broken package dependencies to exist on a system. It is possible that a system's dependency structure can be so
           corrupt as to require manual intervention (which usually means using dpkg --remove to eliminate some of the offending
           packages). Use of this option together with -m may produce an error in some situations. Configuration Item:
           APT::Get::Fix-Broken.

Credit: Mohit Rajan's comment

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  • All this does is open the software center and continues to not work Jul 12, 2016 at 18:23
  • 1
    @AntonyD'Andrea Could you explain why do you need sudo apt-get install -f in order to install a package, if dpkg already does it?
    – vstepaniuk
    Aug 16, 2017 at 11:45
  • 1
    sudo apt-get install ./file.deb or sudo apt-get install /path/to/file.deb is simpler. Jan 11, 2018 at 1:36
8

1 - Donwload the old "Ubuntu software center" in the new "Ubuntu software".

2 - unity --reset-icons or Restart your computer (to remove the "waiting to install")

3 - Open the .deb file with the just installed "Ubuntu software center"

4 - Install it

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  • In 1) it shows "waiting for install" forever. After 2) the old "Ubuntu software center" is not installed. Jun 26, 2017 at 19:07
  • 1
    careful with unity --reset-icons: it closes all program and reset the unity launcher as it is originally (in ubuntu install) !
    – Juh_
    Apr 23, 2018 at 14:25
1

Just a suggestion, Not sure if it should help but, if you frequently install packages from .deb files it's advisable to use a reliable package handler like Gdebi

However, if you like to browse for apps and install them from the same place, you should stick to Ubuntu Software Center. To trash Gnome-Software and install the classic and trusted Ubuntu Software Center follow this guide.

0

It seems that we are all affected by https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gnome-software/+bug/1573206.

Unfortunately there is no other solution than using another package manager to install these packages.

0

Workaround was proposed and filed as another bug related to this issue.

All you need to do is log out, and then login again.

Tested and verified this workaround fixes the issue on Ubuntu 16.04.6 LTS, clean installation.

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