“Furious’N’Odding,” staring at the “No Installation Candidate” error prompt in an Ubuntu OS-software installation wall! What gremlins are hiding in the system and can you get rid of them? Let us troubleshoot this roadblock so you can get your installation going again.
What does “Package has no installation candidate” mean?
Encountering the “Unable to locate package” error in APT? Never can be a question of a head-scratcher! In general, this breaks down into two: a typo somewhere in the package name (we’ve all been there!) or the application simply cannot be found in any of your currently set up repositories.
Have you ever tracked a package only to find APT playing hide-and-seek? It knows the package exists-wise whispers of some dependencies at that-but there it is nowhere to be found. What gives? The culprit most times: a disabled repository, such as universe or multiverse, blinding APT from its treasures. Or maybe the package lies in a third-party PPA-a secret garden to which APT is not granted access. And sometime in the harsh reality: Your system architecture is not supported. The package does exist-but not foryou.
Ever tried reviving an old project only to find out the essential tools have had their days? Ubuntu releases forego shades of the past in favor of new advances-four well-known examples that never appear anymore are python-pip (for Python 2), ruby, and php5. It can seriously mess up attempts at recreating vintage environments or following age-old tutorials that swear by these now-extinct packages. Gear up for archeological debugging!
Fix “No Installation Candidate” in Ubuntu
Tracking down some packages for Ubuntu? One wrong keystroke, and it’s all wild and goose chase: Ubuntu package names are a pain to remember. Forget a hyphen or transpose a number, and APT just shrugs and turns its back on you. While your brain tries to find solutions to dependencies or repository issues, just double-check your package name. One single typo will never get you anywhere but gaslighting a ghost package and sending you on a wild goose chase.
What if you know of a software package, but its name just went out of your mind? No worries!apt searchis like a handy detective helping you out. Rest assured, you are after Flameshot, the screenshot samurai, except you do not remember the package name? Do anapt searchand watch it bring the package forward!
apt search flameshot
If the output package list is too big, you can also narrow down the results with this:
“` apt search
“^PACKAGE_NAME*”
“`
Looking for a particular package? This command serves all aims as your bloodhound. Just give it a prefix, say “Firefox,” and it’ll sniff down every package inside your system’s kennels beginning with that name. Consider it a guided tour into software options, perhaps uncovering an ideal alternative you never knew existed. But a fair warning: if your search returns an empty set, then either the package is hiding in another repository or is disguised with entirely different names.
Did a recent system update go and mysteriously uninstall a critical package? Do not dig through the arcane log files! Just refresh the software list of your system and get the latest version of every piece of software installed. An upgrade-and-update is probably sufficient. Update your Apt database first using this command:
“`
sudo
apt update
&&
sudo
apt upgrade “`
Encountering a “No Installation Candidate” error? This simply means that the software catalog on your system is lagging behind. The package manager APT is not psychic; it does not automatically check for the updated versions and ensure that the local list of software on your system matches the latest ones that are on the Web. When your machine has a list of responses that are older, the links to installable software get broken, consequently having that error message pop into view. Just imagine: trying to order from a restaurant menu that simply hasn’t been updated for years – your dishes just are no longer there!
Once your system is up-to-date, you can immediately install any package that is available in your default repository.
Add a Third Party Repository
Nothing yet? The package software you are searching for may be lurking in some unexplored corner-an unlisted repository. Now is when your detective skills come in-the-hunt. Then it’s a matter of finding it and adding it to your distribution software sources so you may finally obtain it.
Lost and in the Linux wilderness, wandering in search of an elusive PPA? What could be worse? The internet, however, is a superb guide. Simply steal the link of PPA from the project’s website and throw it into your local Apt setup, and you’re done.
Once located, you can add the repository to Ubuntu with the command:
“`
sudo
add-apt-repository REPOSITORY_PPA “`
Do you want to unlock the latest pearls of software out in the wild? One push of the buttons is what it will take for the system to begin its sprint into an unknown repository in search for new data on uncharted updates.
“`
sudo
apt update
&&
sudo
apt upgrade “`
Check your software sources (repositories)
Rebelling with that stubborn package problem even after the PPA treatment? Time to open up the hood of Ubuntu and check if all the software pipelines are flowing as they should. Think of the software sources of Ubuntu as basically four different flavors of ice cream – main, universe, multiverse, and restricted. Some of those less common packages may lie frozen away in the freezers less visited. It is a simple matter of enabling those repositories to finally get you to the answer.
Unlock the full potential of your Ubuntu system! Go to the application menu and launch “Software & Updates.” Move to the tab duly named “Ubuntu Software.” At this stage, verify whether all the repositories — Main, Universe, Restricted, and Multiverse — are ticked and active for business. In a manner of speaking, you are turning on the maximum software supercharge for the system.
Click Close, then reload your package list with:
“`
sudo
apt update “`
You can also enable repositories using the terminal. For example:
“`
sudo
add-apt-repository universe
sudo
add-apt-repository multiverse
sudo
add-apt-repository restricted
sudo
apt update “`
One can think of it like those hidden doors. Beyond standard software lies a world of opportunity. The Universe repo is crammed with community-powered OSS gems. And the Multiverse holds jewels under strange licenses; that is to say, your software horizons are expanded a million-fold.
Make Sure Your Ubuntu Version Is Supported
Is your Ubuntu feeling a little…archaic? Outdated versions can leave you stranded, unable to grab essential software updates. Does your system seem old? It takes only a quick check to find out. Fire-up your terminal now and type:
“` lsb_release
-a
“`
Are your software stuck in the past? Running older software is like driving a classic car without having spare parts: eventually, components will fail, and there will be nobody around to help. So, become an upgrade to keep on with the latest features, security patches, and smooth and trouble-free experience. Don’t leave your system thinking of becoming a mere relic!
Remember something as simple as how Python3 used to be called Python for a software update? Like some band changing its name, except in this case, it is the same music with a different cover. At times, Ubuntu will rename its packages, but in most instances, you would just be bothered by the change in packaging-a mere cosmetic one-for nothing else.
Try a Different Installation Method
Installing that stubborn software: easy to get into trouble! Don’t despair. Linux is a wonderful technical world spilling forth from the dictionary, going way beyond the basic package manager. Consider Snap and Flatpak as a universal language for software that allow you to install your apps cleanly across different Linux landings.
Installation via Snap is similar to APT, like this:
“`
sudo
snap
install<
package_name
“`
It is easier to unlock a world of tools than you think! Just a quick Flatpak setup, and BAM! One command is all it takes to install anything you want.
- Just unlocking a world of tools is easier than you think! A quick Flatpak setup, and BAM!- one-time command, install whatever you want.
- Unlocking a world of tools is easier than say! Just a quick Flatpak setup and BAM!-a single command to install whatever you want.
- Unlocking a world of tools is easier than you think! Just a quick Flatpak setup, and bam!-one-time command to install whatever you want.
Alternatively, if you want to go by-passing procedure, every developer often provides a direct download option, usually as a Debian package. Take the .deb file from the official site and do:
“`
sudo
apt
install
.
/
package_file.deb “`
For open-source software, you might need to, download the source code, extract it, then run:
“` .
/
configure
make
sudo
make
install
“`
Remember that compiling from source can cause terrible problems with dependencies, so be careful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to find a list of available PPAs for Ubuntu?
Are you in pursuit of one particular PPA in the wilds of Ubuntu? There’s really no magical “list all” command. But don’t you worry; Launchpad from Canonical will be your treasure map. Consider it a PPA search engine: type in what you’re looking for, be it a package or repository.
Found the gem? Time to add it to your system. Open up a shell and run the command:sudo add-apt-repository, along with the Launchpad link. Lastly, refresh Apt by runningsudo apt update, and then you’re good to install!
Always remember the important thing beforehand: since Launchpad denotes a user-submitted repository, it always means that integrity needs to be checked to maintain the health of your machine. So, consider addition carefully.
Ubuntu did not add my custom repository during an update. What am I doing wrong?
Does the “key missing” hang up show up when adding a repository? Ubuntu security depends on cryptographic keys to verify that software packages are genuine and somehow haven’t been tampered with. This safeguard is enabled inapt-keyby default for official Ubuntu repositories and Launchpad PPAs. If you go beyond these predefined trusted sources, you must install the official signing key of the repository manually to maintain package integrity. So… consider it as giving the digital passport to your new software source.
I am using Ubuntu LTS and getting a “no installation candidate” error. Is my system broken?
Hit a snag trying to install that shiny new package? Getting a “no installation candidate” error? It might not be broken; it might just be ahead of its time! That package could be designed for a future version of Ubuntu.
Well, not to worry at all. The Ubuntu Backports are there to save the day. You can think of it as a time machine that brings updated versions of software to your older Ubuntu system. No need to actually upgrade your entire OS if all you want is a particular application of the latest and greatest.
Want to tap into this treasure trove? Just use the-tflag with apt, followed by your Ubuntu version name and “-backports.” Examplesudo apt install [package-name] -t [your-ubuntu-version]-backports. Problem solved!
Thanks for reading How to Fix the “No Installation Candidate” Problem in Ubuntu
