π ~1 min read
Table of contents
Symptom & Impact
dist-upgrade stops with unmet dependencies and kept-back package warnings.
Environment & Reproduction
Often reproduced on systems with held packages or mixed repository priorities.
Root Cause Analysis
Resolver cannot converge due to package holds, pinning, or conflicting candidates.
Quick Triage
List held packages, run dependency checks, and inspect configured repositories.
Step-by-Step Diagnosis
Run simulated upgrade and review resolver conflict output.
Solution – Primary Fix
Release invalid holds, repair package state, and rerun full upgrade.
Still having issues? Our IT Solutions & Services team can diagnose and resolve this for you. Get in touch for a free consultation.
Solution – Alternative Approaches
Temporarily disable third-party sources and test with official Ubuntu archives only.
Verification & Acceptance Criteria
No held or broken packages remain and simulation succeeds cleanly.
Rollback Plan
Restore previous source lists and package pins if application compatibility regresses.
Prevention & Hardening
Review holds and repository ownership before every patch cycle.
Related Errors & Cross-Refs
No installation candidate, kept back packages, and broken package messages.
Related tutorial: View the step-by-step tutorial for Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.
View all Ubuntu 20.04 LTS tutorials on the Tutorials Hub β
Browse all common problems & solutions on the Tutorials Hub.
References & Further Reading
Ubuntu apt resolver and package pinning documentation.
Need Expert Help?
If you cannot resolve this yourself, our team offers hands-on Server Management, Managed IT Services, and flexible Support Plans. Contact us today β we respond within one business day.
