The error message “the following packages have been kept back” has occurred when implementing the package management tools like “apt” and “apt-get” in your Linux/Ubuntu operating system. This message gives the instruction to upgrade the mentioned packages.
This article explains all the reasons why this error message appears in the terminal. There are four main reasons this error message may occur.
- Packages dependencies
- Same packages
- Update the critical packages
- Preferences on packages
Reason 1: Packages Dependencies
While upgrading the packages there are some packages that need to be updated before upgrading them. This shows the dependencies of these packages on update to the latest version before upgrading them. Therefore the package manager sent the error message to “keep back” these packages in remaining condition.
Reason 2: Same Packages
If two packages perform the same function the package manager outputs the error message and keeps back the packages without upgrading them. This issue may occur due to third party repositories.
Reason 3: Update the critical packages
Sometime restriction has been applied on the specific packages such as system related packages to remain there version to avoid the instability of your operating system. This is the reason the package manager sent the error message.
Reason 4: Preferences on Packages
Sometimes users set the preference to upgrade the specific number of packages due to this, some packages do not upgrade and the package manager sends the error message “the following packages have been kept back”.
How to Fix “The Following Packages Have Been Kept Back:” Error
To resolve the issue of the message “the following packages have been kept back” in the Linux/Ubuntu operating system first we know why this error message will occur. The error message is generated when you run the mentioned command.
sudo apt upgrade
After running the above-given command in the terminal it is identified the “gjs”, “irqbalance” and “libgjs0g” are three packages to upgrade alone to avoid this message.
Now install the package “irqbalance” by executing the below-given command in the Linux/Ubuntu terminal to avoid the error message “the following packages have been kept back”.
sudo apt install irqbalance
Now install the package “gjs” by executing the below-given command in the Linux/Ubuntu terminal.
sudo apt install gjs
Now install the package “ libgjs0g” by executing the below-given command in the Linux/Ubuntu terminal.
sudo apt install libgjs0g
Now all three required packages are installed, again run the upgrade command to show that the problem is resolved.
sudo apt upgrade
The above diagram depicts that no error message appears after installing the latest version of all three required packages; this shows that your problem is resolved now.
Conclusion
To resolve the error message “the following packages have been kept back” in the Linux/Ubuntu terminal you need to install or upgrade to the latest version of the mentioned packages. In our case, there are three packages “gjs”, “irqbalance” and “libgjs0g” which are required to be an upgrade. After installing the latest version of these packages the error message no longer appears.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to fix 'The Following Packages Have Been Kept Back:' error in Ubuntu?
To fix this error, you can try updating package dependencies, removing duplicate packages, upgrading critical packages, or adjusting package preferences.
What are the common reasons for the 'Packages have been kept back' error in Linux?
The main reasons for this error include package dependencies, duplicate packages, critical package restrictions, and user-defined package preferences.
What does 'Packages have been kept back' mean in Ubuntu package management?
This message indicates that certain packages are not being upgraded due to dependencies, duplicates, critical package restrictions, or user preferences.
How does Ubuntu handle packages that have been kept back?
Ubuntu handles kept back packages by not upgrading them and providing users with the option to resolve dependencies, remove duplicates, update critical packages, or adjust preferences.
Can third-party repositories cause the 'Packages have been kept back' error in Ubuntu?
Yes, third-party repositories can lead to this error if they introduce duplicate packages that conflict with the system's package management.
What is the impact of not resolving the 'Packages have been kept back' error in Ubuntu?
Not resolving this error may lead to outdated packages, security vulnerabilities, and system instability due to incomplete upgrades.
How to check which packages have been kept back in Ubuntu?
You can check the packages that have been kept back in Ubuntu by running the command 'apt list --upgradable' to see the list of available upgrades.
Is it safe to force upgrade packages that have been kept back in Ubuntu?
Forcing the upgrade of packages that have been kept back may resolve the error in some cases, but it can also lead to package conflicts and system issues, so it's recommended to resolve dependencies properly.