Unable to locate package linux tools common

How to Fix «Unable to locate package» error in Ubuntu or Debian distros — (6 Solutions in 2023>

This post is for all Linux lovers and newbies. If you are getting an «Unable to locate package» error and want to resolve it. You have landed on the right page. When I started my Linux journey many years ago, I also got this error in Ubuntu.

There may be many reasons to encounter this error like the incorrect package name, Absolute path, package not available in repo and more. We will see all the related issues and solutions individually.

I am sure if you will follow this post step by step, You will be able to resolve the following errors. This post specifies Ubuntu but the solutions also apply to other Debian distros —

• Unable to locate package
• Unable to locate package ubuntu
• E unable to locate package Kali Linux
• Unable to locate package Debian
• E: unable to locate package update
• Unable to locate package pip
• Unable to locate package nodejs
• Unable to locate package python

All the above-mentioned errors may occur due to different scenarios. I will replicate these errors and then give you a solution for easy understanding.

• The package name is incorrect or case sensitive problem
• Providing a file name instead of the package name
• Not providing a full path to your downloaded .deb package
• Forgot to update the repository, after a fresh Ubuntu installation
• The package is not available for your Ubuntu version in the official repository
• Your Ubuntu or Debian distro reached the end of life
• The apt command syntax is not correct
• /etc/apt/sources.list is missing or corrupted

Let’s deep dive and find solution to these possible cause —

Solution 1 — How to Fix «Unable to locate package in Ubuntu» error due to incorrect package name

It may sound silly, but yes, I still do this mistake very frequently. Sometimes I type the wrong package name while installing packages in my Ubuntu system.

I have no doubt about your intelligence, but typing errors may happen with anyone. Also If you are a newbie, keep in mind that Linux is case-sensitive.

• The package name is not correct or not known
• Lowercase or upper case issue in the package name
• Not providing specific or complete package name with version

Let me show you this with an example —

I want to install Java (version 11) in my Ubuntu 20.04 and I am not aware of the package name. If I will assume and try to install it with the name «java», it won’t work.

I am getting «unable to locate package java«. Because it doesn’t exist with this name.

The name of Java package starts with «openjdk» in real.

How to find a package in Ubuntu repository, if exact package name not known

To find out the correct name of your package, you can follow these simple steps. It will make sure, there is no issue related to package name, lower or uppercase and even versions.

Step1.1 — Visit the Ubuntu package archive site and select your Ubuntu distro version

Visit https://packages.ubuntu.com/ and search for your package.

I am using Ubuntu 20.04. I will select focal (20.04LTS) from the list. You need to select your distro. You can check your Ubuntu version to get these details.

Step1.2 — Choose your package category

On this page, You will get a lot of sections like Administration utilities, Database, Development etc. to make your search easy.

Choose your section to deep down one more level. For example, I will select Java from the section —

Step1.2 — Search for your package from the subsection list

Search for your required package name . For example, I will look out for Java development kit version 11.

So I gave «development kit» in the search box and reached for the package openjdk-11-jdk.

You may need to do some hit-and-trial or manual search to reach your package when you are really clueless about your package name.

Step1.3 — Install your required package using the apt command

Now I know the correct name and package version i.e. openjdk-11-jdk. I will be able to install it without any issues.

$ sudo apt install openjdk-11-jdk

Solution 2 — Provide an absolute package (.deb) path, for offline package installation

In case your package is not available in the official Ubuntu repository and you have downloaded (.deb) package from the third-party site.

You are getting «unable to locate package» while installing it offline. It means you are not giving an absolute path to your .deb package file.

Let me explain to you with an example —

Google Chrome browser is not part of the Ubuntu official repository. So I downloaded the .deb package of chrome and tried to install it.

Google Chrome «.deb» file exists in my Downloads directory. and if you notice in the image, I am in the same directory. But still, I am getting an «unable to locate package google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb» error.

$ sudo apt-get install google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb

Now I will just provide an absolute path to the .deb package file and it will work like a charm.

$ sudo apt-get install ./google-chrome-stable_current_amd64.deb

Solution 3 — Update and build local repository cache

You may encounter this scenario if you have installed Ubuntu fresh and trying to update or install packages. Additionally, You are new to the Linux world.

Let me highlight, You must run «apt update» first to build a local cache repository . Otherwise, an empty cache will not return anything.

Actually, the package manager fetches the metadata of available packages over the network. Then it builds a local cache in the system, to provide a fast result to your package query.

The local cache repository may get stale anytime. So please make a thumb rule. Always update the package repository first and then only install the package. It is applicable to all Debian distros.

Then install the required package.

$ sudo apt install "your-package-name"

Solution 4 — «Unable to locate package» in Ubuntu official repository

There are cases when you try to install the Ubuntu package. It may or may not exist in the repository.

So first, we should search manually and confirm the package availability, then we can go with external or third-party repositories.

How to search packages in the Ubuntu repository using CLI and GUI

1. Find a package in the Ubuntu repository using GUI
2. To find a package using the apt-cache command in terminal

Step 4.1 — Search for a package in the Ubuntu repository

• Open terminal Ctrl +Alt + T> in Ubuntu and find out your distro code name using «lsb_release» command.

For example, I am using Ubuntu 20.04, with the code name «Focal«.

dev@ubuntu:~/Desktop$ lsb_release -c Codename: focal

• Visit Ubuntu repository page > Scroll down to the search section
• Fill «package name» in the keyword and select «Distribution«. In my case, it will be focal.
• Hit the «Search» button.

For example, I will look for the TeamViewer package. It’s used to connect a system remotely over the Internet or intranet.

So I was unable to find it in the Ubuntu repository —

Step 4.2 (Optional) — Search for a package in Ubuntu repository

$ sudo apt-cache search "your-package-name" or $ sudo apt-cache search . | grep -i "package-name"

$ sudo apt-cache search teamviewer or $ sudo apt-cache searcch . | grep -i teamviewer

dev@ubuntu:~$ sudo apt install python Reading package lists… Done Building dependency tree Reading state information… Done E: Unable to locate package python

dev@ubuntu:~$ sudo apt install nodejs Reading package lists… Done Building dependency tree Reading state information… Done E: Unable to locate package nodejs

$ sudo rm -rf /etc/apt/sources.list

$ sudo software-properties-gtk

You will get a warning to reload or refresh the repository cache. Select reload> to generate sources.list file and apt-cache. it’s like running the apt-get update command from the terminal.

It will take a few seconds to refresh the software cache.

You can later add third-party repository as needed.

Now you can easily install your nodejs or python package. You will not get the «unable to locate package nodejs» error anymore.

Video tutorial

Watch this informative video tutorial for 6 solutions on «How to fix the «unable to locate package» error in Ubuntu. This is really helpful if you don’t like reading or have any doubts about the steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why am I getting unable to locate package fglrx-updates?

If you are searching for fglrx-updates, then you may have Ubuntu 14.04 installed in your system. It’s already obsolete. So I would suggest you upgrade your system to the latest Ubuntu 22.04 system and run the following command to install the fglrx package in your system.

$ sudo apt install fglrx-pxpress

Why am I getting Unable to locate package uboot-tools?

If you are trying to install Uboot tools (companion tools for Das U-Boot bootloader) in your Linux and getting the error unable to locate package uboot-tools. You are giving the package name wrong. The correct package is u-boot-tools, Follow these commands to install Uboot tools in your system.

$ sudo apt install u-boot-tools

Unable to locate package Linux-backports-modules-jaunty, Why?

Jaunty Linux is the codename of Ubuntu 9.04, which is an obsolete Ubuntu Linux version. It’s not supported anymore. So I would recommend you upgrade your Linux system if you are still using jaunty in your office or home.

Conclusion

If you are getting this common «unable to locate package» error in Ubuntu or other Distros like Linux Mint. I hope, resolving this error would be a cakewalk for you after reading this post.

If you find any scenario while using Linux, which is not covered in this post. Let me know through your comments. I will try to add that also in this post.

If you find it useful, Please share it with your friends on social media.

About The Author

Dev

Hi, My Name is Dev and as an Information Technology professional, My Life revolves around Gadgets, Servers, Storage, Software, Operating system, Internet and Cloud computing. My philosophy is “being healthy” and follow your “passion or hobbies” to make your life interesting. Please feel free to contact me for any questions, feedback and suggestions.

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