GNOME Software does not install third-party .deb packages

Bug #1573206 reported by Øystein Steffensen-Alværvik
This bug affects 394 people
Affects Status Importance Assigned to Milestone
GNOME Software
New
Undecided
Unassigned
GRadio
New
Undecided
Unassigned
SoundConverter
New
Undecided
Unassigned
Ubuntu GNOME
Triaged
Undecided
Unassigned
gdebi
New
Undecided
Unassigned
gnome-software (Ubuntu)
Triaged
High
Robert Ancell

Bug Description

Ubuntu 16.04 LTS (clean install). 64-bit. Final release.
Gnome-software version: 3.20.1+git20160420.1.ca63436.ubuntu-xenial-0ubuntu2
  Version table:
 *** 3.20.1+git20160420.1.ca63436.ubuntu-xenial-0ubuntu2 500
        500 http://no.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial/main amd64 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status

I intended to install MEGA Sync Client, Google Chrome and Dropbox by downloading the needed packages from their websites (respectively https://mega.nz/#sync and https://www.google.com/chrome/ and https://www.dropbox.com/install?os=lnx ). I opened the packages one by one with gnome-software and pressed Install - nothing, except for a super-quick progress bar animation, happened. No matter how many times I tried, same result. Also, an icon pops up on the panel saying "Waiting to install", but nothing seems to happen.

This only seems to happen with third-party packages; installing a random deb from packages.ubuntu.com/xenial worked.

I even tried to reinstall the system to make this work, but same problem.

Gdebi, however, installs the packages as expected.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 16.04
Package: gnome-software 3.20.1+git20160420.1.ca63436.ubuntu-xenial-0ubuntu2
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.4.0-21.37-generic 4.4.6
Uname: Linux 4.4.0-21-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.20.1-0ubuntu2
Architecture: amd64
CurrentDesktop: Unity
Date: Thu Apr 21 21:01:52 2016
EcryptfsInUse: Yes
ExecutablePath: /usr/bin/gnome-software
InstallationDate: Installed on 2016-04-21 (0 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 16.04 LTS "Xenial Xerus" - Release amd64 (20160420.1)
ProcEnviron:
 LANGUAGE=nn_NO:nn:no_NO:no:nb_NO:nb:en
 PATH=(custom, no user)
 XDG_RUNTIME_DIR=<set>
 LANG=nn_NO.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
SourcePackage: gnome-software
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

Revision history for this message
Øystein Steffensen-Alværvik (oystein-alver) wrote :
Revision history for this message
Launchpad Janitor (janitor) wrote :

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

Changed in gnome-software (Ubuntu):
status: New → Confirmed
Revision history for this message
vio0au0d (chei6ied-deactivatedaccount) wrote :
Revision history for this message
Lonnie Lee Best (launchpad-startport) wrote :

The same is true for this hangouts plugin I use in Firefox. It require this deb:
https://www.google.com/tools/dlpage/hangoutplugin

But, it won't install.

Same is true for this deb:
http://torrent-search.sourceforge.net/download

Revision history for this message
Vincent Thiele (vincentthiele) wrote :

Please fix this, it's a no go for an LTS release!

Revision history for this message
Stanislav (stanislav-schmidt) wrote :

Same issue here. Can't install any deb package in software centre.

Workarounds:
1) Use the GDebi Package Installer https://apps.ubuntu.com/cat/applications/precise/gdebi/
2) Use the command line: dpkg -i <filename>.deb

Revision history for this message
vio0au0d (chei6ied-deactivatedaccount) wrote :
Revision history for this message
vio0au0d (chei6ied-deactivatedaccount) wrote :
Revision history for this message
dusk (dusktumult) wrote :

This is happening to me to.
I cant seem to get either of the workarounds to work. When i try to install the gdebi package installer in the software center it does the same thing as when I try to install .deb files.
I had previously installed things via the software center but now nothing is installing. I can't really do anything on my computer without any software. Please Fix!

Changed in gnome-software (Ubuntu):
status: Confirmed → Triaged
importance: Undecided → High
Revision history for this message
Jonayad Rahman (jonayadrahman) wrote :

Same problem for me. I try to install Chrome. it just keep me waiting. and didn't give any result. Please try to fix it quickly.

Revision history for this message
Anuj Sharma (anujsharma9196) wrote :

Please fix it. I'm too suffering from this irritating bug

Revision history for this message
Subhadeep Dey (subhadeep-dey) wrote :

I thought I was the only one facing this issue, but it seems that it's a common issue. Hope it gets resolved soon.

Revision history for this message
Belenos (belenos) wrote :

Same problem here!

Revision history for this message
Shinjan Saha (sahashinjan) wrote :

It affects me as well....

Revision history for this message
Masi (soopo) wrote :

The same problem is with Google Chrome's 64bit .deb package in completely fresh 16.04. First application in fresh installation (not upgrade). Thread here http://askubuntu.com/q/761190/25388

Revision history for this message
ibrahim (ibrahimdarra-deactivatedaccount) wrote :

same bug here also ...
unfortunately :(

Revision history for this message
Lonnie Lee Best (launchpad-startport) wrote :

As Stanislav mentioned, in post #6, there are other ways you can installed these deb packages.

However, even after you get the deb package installed, it breaks your ability to sudo apt-get update.

See here:
http://askubuntu.com/a/760348/256054

Revision history for this message
vio0au0d (chei6ied-deactivatedaccount) wrote :

Lonnie, the only error you should worry about is regarding dependencies after installing via dpkg. This can be fixed by doing a:

apt-get install -f

The other error is caused by SHA1 removal and can safely be ignored until the repos are updated:

https://wiki.debian.org/Teams/Apt/Sha1Removal

There is also another bug report addressing that issue.

Revision history for this message
Asiel Bencomo Corona (abencomoc90) wrote :

Same thing happen to me. Please, fix it to continue enjoying Ubuntu 16!

Revision history for this message
Mario (marcorr70) wrote :

I have a similar problem, was disappointed to watch the software center not able me to install third party .deb programs. I believe it's a step back and a bad promotion for ubuntu.

Revision history for this message
Mario (marcorr70) wrote :

Also Gdebi doesn't solve the problem, returned me dependencies problem and wasn't able itself to solve.

Changed in ubuntu-gnome:
status: New → Confirmed
Revision history for this message
Wise Melon (wise-melon-deactivatedaccount) wrote :

I couldn't find a report filed on this issue upstream already so I have done so and added a bug watch to monitor that here.

Changed in gnome-software:
importance: Unknown → High
status: Unknown → Confirmed
Revision history for this message
postadelmaga (postadelmaga) wrote :

also affects me.

Revision history for this message
Siddhartha (narenana) wrote :

Reproducible for multiple packages on Ubuntu 16.04 LTS

Changed in ubuntustudio:
status: New → Confirmed
Revision history for this message
Pablo Celayes (pablocelayes) wrote :

Same here, trying to install Chrome or Skype.

Revision history for this message
bogdan.rusu (rusubogdan93) wrote :

it affects me also

Revision history for this message
Panos Katertziadis (eyeprotocol) wrote :

To anyone that has not noticed yet. Even the packages that ARE getting installed via this "Ubuntu Software" program, appear as NOT installed when one checks again. I tried with Audacity and Darktable. Both are properly installed.. both appear as if they are not.

Revision history for this message
Wise Melon (wise-melon-deactivatedaccount) wrote :

@PanosKatertziadis, Please report that as a separate issue. Though I believe I have already seen a similar report upstream, though I could be mistaken.

summary: - Ubuntu Software does not install third-party .deb packages
+ GNOME Software does not install third-party .deb packages
Changed in gnome-software (Ubuntu):
status: Triaged → Confirmed
Revision history for this message
Sebastien Bacher (seb128) wrote :
Changed in gnome-software (Ubuntu):
status: Confirmed → Fix Committed
assignee: nobody → Robert Ancell (robert-ancell)
Revision history for this message
Sebastien Bacher (seb128) wrote :

The fix is not working as it should, it seems to use the package name where the filename/path is wanted

Changed in gnome-software (Ubuntu):
status: Fix Committed → Triaged
status: Triaged → In Progress
tags: added: trello-import
Will Cooke (willcooke)
tags: removed: trello-import
Revision history for this message
Robert Mijaković (robert-mijakovic) wrote :

It affects me also.

Revision history for this message
Doni (jerss2k) wrote :

This affects me as well.

Revision history for this message
Adnan Yumer (adnanyumer) wrote :

Affects me too.

Revision history for this message
Tim Hitchins (timtjtim) wrote :

Hi, this has been fixed upstream. If you still have issues, please fully update with:

    sudo apt-get update
    sudo apt-get upgrade

and check again. If it isn't working, please restart. Finally, if you're fully up to date (check again after the restart) please post back here, and we will look into it. Your Ubuntu distro would be helpful info too.

Changed in ubuntu-gnome:
status: Confirmed → Fix Released
Changed in ubuntustudio:
status: Confirmed → Fix Released
Changed in gnome-software (Ubuntu):
status: In Progress → Fix Released
Revision history for this message
Jaime Fernando Ortega Culaciati (jfoc) wrote :

There're no official updates for this software. The fix hasn't been released.

Changed in gnome-software:
status: Confirmed → Fix Released
Revision history for this message
brad (dragonsawareness) wrote :

Hi, this has been fixed upstream. If you still have issues, please fully update with:

    sudo apt-get update
    sudo apt-get upgrade

brad@Brad-Ubuntu-16:~$ sudo apt-get update
[sudo] password for brad:
Hit:1 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial InRelease
Get:2 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-updates InRelease [92.2 kB]
Hit:3 http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu xenial InRelease
Hit:4 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-backports InRelease
Get:5 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-security InRelease [92.2 kB]
Fetched 184 kB in 1s (140 kB/s)
Reading package lists... Done
brad@Brad-Ubuntu-16:~$ sudo apt-get upgrade
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
Calculating upgrade... Done
0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
brad@Brad-Ubuntu-16:~$

There is no fix in Ubuntu 16.04?

Revision history for this message
Erik Pöhm (erzzo) wrote :

Im affected too

Revision history for this message
Albert Cutrona (acutbal) wrote :

I'm with Ubuntu 16.04, still not working. I've updated my system a few minutes ago, only an update for Numix theme and G'Mic for Gimp. Maybe the fix is not available?

Regards!! :)

Revision history for this message
Kumaraguru (gurukumara) wrote :

I know there are workarounds to install deb packages but I am totally disappointed with the new package installer. Shouldn't this be properly tested before release? especially, before pushing a LTS release?

Revision history for this message
Bruce Pieterse (octoquad) wrote :

All affected, apologies for the confusion but a fixed has landed upstream and has not yet landed yet in Ubuntu. The new upstream version will need to be packaged first before distributed to the main release pocket. If you need to install a package, please refer to comment #6 for the mean time.

Changed in ubuntu-gnome:
status: Fix Released → Triaged
Ross Gammon (rosco2)
Changed in ubuntustudio:
status: Fix Released → Triaged
importance: Undecided → High
Mathew Hodson (mhodson)
Changed in gnome-software (Ubuntu):
status: Fix Released → Triaged
Mathew Hodson (mhodson)
affects: gnome-software → ubuntu-translations
Changed in ubuntu-translations:
importance: High → Undecided
status: Fix Released → New
no longer affects: ubuntu-translations
29 comments hidden view all 109 comments
Revision history for this message
Joe Dunster (joe-dunster) wrote :

I've installed 16.04 on a 32 bit laptop (yesterday) but am unable to install .deb files with the software installer... infact the software installer is just a blank screen now

Revision history for this message
brad (dragonsawareness) wrote :

Can someone please change the status to fixed

Revision history for this message
psionprime (psionprime) wrote :

It's not fixed as of 2016-05-24 08:50 edt. Installs sometimes happen but no indicator that the package is installed, just the same "Install" button shows. Further, "Important OS updates" does nothing for hours. I wind up using Synaptic to mark and upgrade the system. Synaptic is installed as Software doesn't display all available packages.

I appreciate the efforts for all involved in the Ubuntu project.

Revision history for this message
coskibum (1coskibum) wrote :

This effecting me to from adding programs from the Ubuntu software. Firewall says it's installed but when I try to configure it, it will not open up.I have uninstalled and reinstalled it and still nothing.

Also when I try to install Ubuntu Tweak the same thing happens.

This after a clean install of 16.04:

Hardware:
AMD FX 8350
18gb ram
new motherboard - Asus Sabertooth 990FC R2.0

Revision history for this message
Shoaib Sadiq (shoaibsadiq) wrote :

I am new to ubuntu and facing this kind of error in the beginning isn't welcoming..

description: updated
Revision history for this message
Luis van den Bussche (luisvdbk) wrote :

Being new to Ubuntu and already facing things like wont be able to install such things as Google Chrome and other 3rd party soft, and can't manage why is difficult. Hope this changes.

Revision history for this message
Whitney (blessedwhitney) wrote :

Also affects me -- this is particular troublesome bug for new people (ubuntus target demographic) since Chrome, a popular browser with syncing abilities, can only be installed via a work around.

Revision history for this message
Peter (readingmymail) wrote :

Please fix this bug!!! This has not been fixed despite what has been claimed. I have done a clean install of both 16.04 and 16.04.1 and the bug persists. Come on guys, this is a LTS release, and this should be addressed. Work-arounds is not a solution for faulty software.

It looks to me that when you try to install some package from the Software Centre, it starts the install then hangs. I believe this is because a dialog box should appear asking for admin credentials to install the software, but since that dialog box does not appear it just sits there waiting.

My set up is a Dell Precision M4500 (but this isn't a hardware issue - it is most definitely a software problem). My installation is a fully encrypted hard drive with encrypted home directory if that makes a difference.

Please mark this bug as not fixed.

Revision history for this message
Jonathan Martins (web-j) wrote :

man, what a shame! A nice feature for the user broken soo long! Elevate the IMPORTANCE!

Revision history for this message
Jeremy Bícha (jbicha) wrote :

@Peter please file a new bug about your issue since this particular bug is fixed, especially with a fresh install of Ubuntu 16.04. Please include specifics since there isn't enough information in your comment here for developers to know what exactly isn't working.

You may find it helpful to read "How to report bugs effectively" http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/bugs.html. We'd be grateful if you would then provide a more complete description of the problem.

We have instructions on debugging some types of problems at http://wiki.ubuntu.com/DebuggingProcedures.

At a minimum, we need:
1. The specific steps or actions you took that caused you to encounter the problem.
2. The behavior you expected.
3. The behavior you actually encountered (in as much detail as possible).
Thanks!

Revision history for this message
Jonathan Ben Yhochanan Reich Abohab Da Fonseca (stormvoid) wrote :

Seems to instal with GDebi as also via terminal but at the end does not work

Revision history for this message
Fernando D. (fdbozzo) wrote :

This bug affects me too. I know that apparently it's fixed on the "Proposed" repos, but I don't want to enable it because I don't want to became a beta-tester with my System.

When be this fix available as normal update?

My system info:
cat /proc/version
Linux version 4.4.0-31-generic (buildd@lgw01-16) (gcc version 5.3.1 20160413 (Ubuntu 5.3.1-14ubuntu2.1) ) #50-Ubuntu SMP Wed Jul 13 00:07:12 UTC 2016

Revision history for this message
Fernando D. (fdbozzo) wrote :

I forgot to say that I've fresh installed from 16.04.1 ISO

Revision history for this message
Jeremy Bícha (jbicha) wrote :

Fernando, it is a normal update now. It was only a proposed update for a few days so it could be tested first to make sure it fixed bugs and didn't make things worse. The fix is also included in Ubuntu 16.04.1.

If it's still not working, please run ubuntu-bug gnome-software to report a new bug.

You may find it helpful to read "How to report bugs effectively" http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/bugs.html. We'd be grateful if you could provide a complete description of the problem.

We have instructions on debugging some types of problems at http://wiki.ubuntu.com/DebuggingProcedures.

At a minimum, we need:
1. The specific steps or actions you took that caused you to encounter the problem.
2. The behavior you expected.
3. The behavior you actually encountered (in as much detail as possible).
Thanks!

Revision history for this message
Fernando D. (fdbozzo) wrote :

Hi Jeremy:

In the meanwhile I've installed the previous Ubuntu Software Center that works ok and have a more clear design.

Very thanks for answering! If I use this Software Center again, I'll report any problem following the steps you described.

Best Ragards.-

Revision history for this message
Zheng Cheng (guokrfans) wrote :

This affects me as well.

Revision history for this message
Jordan David Roy Dyckes (jordan-j) wrote :

Is there any updates on a fix as over 4 months have passed and this problem still exists?

Revision history for this message
Andres Vega (avegacon) wrote :

I am also having this problem.

When are they going to fix this bug?

Revision history for this message
fred (nightfeaver) wrote :

Also having the problem.

Revision history for this message
Jordan van Zyl (jordan5zulu) wrote :

This also affects me

Revision history for this message
Deafpyrotiger (deafpyrotiger) wrote :

Happy to report that this affects me as well, it seems that this is a persistent bug as it has been 9 months since first reporting now...

Revision history for this message
stephy (stephy) wrote :

It affects me too..

Revision history for this message
Mihaly Vadai (vadaim) wrote :

I found that SOME repositories don't have the package files for Gnome updates, but some others do. So for me the same symptoms occurred with Gnome updates.

Changing my local repository to another one fixed the problem for me. In my case adding deb http://fr.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu xenial-updates main solved the problem.

Here's a list of mirrors I think work at least with gnome updates:

http://packages.ubuntu.com/xenial-updates/all/gnome-software-common/download

Revision history for this message
Garth C Huxley (liquidblueocean) wrote :

I downloaded the ubuntu-16.04.2-desktop-amd64.iso from Ubuntu's main website around a month ago and it has this bug. I tried to install Chrome using the GUI and it failed, but using dpkg was fine.

Revision history for this message
Henrietta Forssen (hforssen) wrote :

Happening to me too, please fix asap! Thanks

Revision history for this message
med (anbessa) wrote :

installed ubuntu 16.04.3 LTS yesterday , I encountered this problem, couldnt install deb via Ubuntu Software installer

Revision history for this message
Jeremy Bícha (jbicha) wrote :

Garth or med,

Please open a new bug for that issue.

Revision history for this message
Keith (kivison) wrote :

Yes, I have just installed a clean 16.04 downloaded from the Ubuntu site last night and it has the same issue.

Revision history for this message
Przemyslaw Golab (n-pigeon) wrote :

Same issue with 17.04

Revision history for this message
Dimka (sze.td) wrote :

Same with ubuntu 16.04.3 LTS

Revision history for this message
Andreas Alpha Frisandy (alpha.frisandy) wrote :

Same with ubuntu 16.04.3 LTS

Revision history for this message
Danilo Miranda (danilokassio) wrote :

this affects me too.

Revision history for this message
Andrii (aemxdp) wrote :

Just installed Ubuntu Studio 16.04.3, also affects me.

Revision history for this message
sul aga (sul-aga) wrote :

This issue affects me.
Ubuntu 16.04.3 LTS
4.10.0-38-generic

Revision history for this message
Ruslan Primak (ruslan-primak) wrote :

Just installed Ubuntu Studio 16.04.3, also affects me.

Revision history for this message
Odai Jawasreh (xodaix) wrote :

The issue still exists in Ubuntu 17.10, I can't install MySQL workbench or other software, I click install then I provide my password nothing is begin installed!.

Revision history for this message
Sruli (sruli) wrote :

Not sure if its the same, I am trying to install megasync dpkg -i megasync.deb, after install there is a icon but it just doesn't start, syslog shows nothing for it, it seems that its not installed, is it the same bug?

Revision history for this message
Sruli (sruli) wrote :

I don't see a delete/edit option, but ignore my previous post ^ it was a permissions issue

Revision history for this message
Mark Baumann (mark.baumann) wrote :

I have made an Update (sudo apt-get install update) and than I´ve made (sudo apt-get install gdebi).
Now I can run the Software Center on Debian as a virtual Machine.

Revision history for this message
Erich Eickmeyer (eeickmeyer) wrote :

Ubuntu Studio 16.04 is EOL as of April 2019.

Changed in ubuntustudio:
importance: High → Undecided
status: Triaged → Won't Fix
no longer affects: ubuntustudio
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