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Dpkg Was Interrupted You Must Manually Run Sudo Dpkg Configure To Correct The Problem !new! May 2026

This error occurs when a package installation or update process is forcibly stopped (e.g., due to a power outage, crash, or manual interruption), leaving the system's package database in an inconsistent state. To resolve this, follow these steps in order: 1. Run the suggested fix

  1. Start installation: sudo apt install hello -y
  2. During dpkg configuration phase (observed via ps aux | grep dpkg), send SIGKILL: sudo kill -9 <dpkg_pid>.
  3. Attempt another apt command: sudo apt install curl.

This resumes configuration for any unpacked but unconfigured packages. This error occurs when a package installation or

What happens next?

You should see the system pick up where it left off. It might take a few minutes. If this runs successfully without errors, you can now run your update command ( sudo apt update ) and everything should work. Start installation: sudo apt install hello -y During

5.3 If triggers are stuck

The "dpkg was interrupted" error on Linux occurs when package installation is halted, often requiring the command sudo dpkg --configure -a to fix broken installations and reconfigure pending packages. Additional steps, such as sudo apt install -f or removing lock files, may be needed to fully resolve package database locks. Read the full guide on Ask Ubuntu at Ask Ubuntu . E: dpkg was interrupted... run 'sudo dpkg --configure This resumes configuration for any unpacked but unconfigured

Locked files

: If you see an error about a "lock" (e.g., /var/lib/dpkg/lock ), another process like the Update Manager is likely running. Reboot your computer to clear these locks automatically, or manually check for running apt processes with ps aux | grep -i apt .

  1. Debian Project. (2023). dpkg Manual Page. Debian Man Pages.
  2. APT Team. (2022). APT HOWTO: Package Management. Debian Documentation.
  3. Gorman, P. (2021). Understanding the Debian Package Management System. Linux Journal, Issue 305.
  4. Vaughan-Nichols, S. (2020). Why dpkg --configure -a fixes most apt problems. ZDNet.
  5. Free Software Foundation. (2019). Debian Policy Manual – Chapter 7: Package maintenance system.