`apt upgrade` borks on python3: apt now seemingly broken

Question

edit: this turned out to have been caused by installing the binary HPLIP printer package. See comments below.

I just ran apt dist-upgrade, but cancelled it before progressing, so it shouldn't have done anything. Unfortunately, I suspect it might have done something after all, as running apt upgrade didn't work after this, as well as any other apt command. They all produce the same output (see below), complaining python3 is not installed, although it is. Trying to install it brings the same errors as the rest (output is partly Norwegian, partly English):

sudo apt install  python3
Leser pakkelister ... Ferdig
Skaper oversikt over avhengighetsforhold        
Leser tilstandsinformasjon ... Ferdig   
Du har allerede nyeste versjon av python3 (3.6.7-1~18.04).
Følgende pakke ble automatisk installert og er ikke lenger påkrevet:
  libllvm6.0
Bruk «sudo apt autoremove» for å fjerne den.
0 oppgraderte, 0 nylig installerte, 0 å fjerne og 4 ikke oppgradert.
80 pakker ikke fullt installert eller fjernet.
Etter denne operasjonen vil 0 B ekstra diskplass bli brukt.
Vil du fortsette? [J/n] 
Setter opp python3 (3.6.7-1~18.04) ...
running python rtupdate hooks for python3.6...
E: py3compile:183: cannot create directory /usr/share/hplip/ui5/__pycache__: FileNotFoundError(2, 'No such file or directory')
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/aboutdialog.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/aboutdialog_base.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/aligndialog.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/aligndialog_base.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/cleandialog.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/cleandialog_base.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/colorcaldialog.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/colorcaldialog_base.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/devicesetupdialog.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/devicesetupdialog_base.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/deviceuricombobox.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/devmgr5.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/devmgr5_base.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/devmgr_ext.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/fabgrouptable.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/fabnametable.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/fabwindow.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/fabwindow_base.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/faxsetupdialog.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/faxsetupdialog_base.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/filetable.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/firmwaredialog.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/firmwaredialog_base.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/infodialog.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/infodialog_base.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/linefeedcaldialog.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/linefeedcaldialog_base.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/loadpapergroupbox.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/makecopiesdialog.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/makecopiesdialog_base.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/mimetypesdialog.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/mimetypesdialog_base.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/nodevicesdialog.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/nodevicesdialog_base.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/plugindiagnose.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/plugindiagnose_base.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/plugindialog.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/plugindialog_base.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/pluginlicensedialog.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/pluginlicensedialog_base.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/pqdiagdialog.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/pqdiagdialog_base.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/printdialog.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/printdialog_base.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/printernamecombobox.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/printsettings_base.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/printsettingsdialog.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/printsettingsdialog_base.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/printsettingstoolbox.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/printtestpagedialog.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/printtestpagedialog_base.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/queuesconf.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/readonlyradiobutton.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/sendfaxdialog.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/sendfaxdialog_base.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/settingsdialog.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/settingsdialog_base.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/setupdialog.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/setupdialog_base.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/setupdialog_base5.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/systemtray.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/systrayframe.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/systrayframe_base.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/ui_utils.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/upgradedialog.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/upgradedialog_base.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/wifisetupdialog.py'
[Errno 2] No such file or directory: '/usr/share/hplip/ui5/wifisetupdialog_base.py'
error running python rtupdate hook hplip-data
dpkg: error processing package python3 (--configure):
 installed python3 package post-installation script subprocess returned error exit status 4
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of update-notifier-common:
 update-notifier-common krever python3:any. Men:
  Pakke python3 er ikke satt opp enda.

dpkg: error processing package update-notifier-common (--configure):
 kravproblem - setter ikke opp pakken
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of libglib2.0-dev-bin:
 libglib2.0-dev-bin krever python3:any (>= 3.3.2-2~). Men:
  Pakke python3 er ikke satt opp enda.

dpkg: error processing package libglib2.0-dev-bin (--configure):
 kravproblem - setter ikke opp pakken
dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of python3-update-manager:
 python3-update-manager krever python3:any (>= 3.3.2-2~). Men:
  Pakke python3 er ikke satt opp enda.

dpkg: error processing package python3-update-manager (--configure):
 kravproblem - setter ikke opp pakken
Ingen apport-rapport skrevet fordi feilmeldingen indikerer at den er en følgefeil fra en tidligere feil.
                                                                                                        Ingen apport-rapport skrevet fordi feilmeldingen indikerer at den er en følgefeil fra en tidligere feil.
                                                                       Ingen apport-rapport skrevet for MaxReports allerede er nådd
                                                                                                                                   dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of python3-dev:
 python3-dev krever python3 (= 3.6.7-1~18.04). Men:
  Pakke python3 er ikke satt opp enda.

dpkg: error processing package python3-dev (--configure):
 kravproblem - setter ikke opp pakken
Ingen apport-rapport skrevet for MaxReports allerede er nådd
                                                            dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of gnome-shell:
 gnome-shell krever python3. Men:
  Pakke python3 er ikke satt opp enda.

dpkg: error processing package gnome-shell (--configure):
 kravproblem - setter ikke opp pakken
Ingen apport-rapport skrevet for MaxReports allerede er nådd
                                                            dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of apport-gtk:
 apport-gtk krever python3. Men:
  Pakke python3 er ikke satt opp enda.

dpkg: error processing package apport-gtk (--configure):
 kravproblem - setter ikke opp pakken
Ingen apport-rapport skrevet for MaxReports allerede er nådd
                                                            dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of apturl:
 apturl krever python3:any (>= 3.3.2-2~). Men:
  Pakke python3 er ikke satt opp enda.

dpkg: error processing package apturl (--configure):
 kravproblem - setter ikke opp pakken
Ingen apport-rapport skrevet for MaxReports allerede er nådd
                                                            dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of ubuntu-release-upgrader-core:
 ubuntu-release-upgrader-core krever python3:any (>= 3.2~). Men:
  Pakke python3 er ikke satt opp enda.

dpkg: error processing package ubuntu-release-upgrader-core (--configure):
 kravproblem - setter ikke opp pakken
Ingen apport-rapport skrevet for MaxReports allerede er nådd
                                                            dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of python3-apport:
 python3-apport krever python3:any (>= 3.3.2-2~). Men:
  Pakke python3 er ikke satt opp enda.

dpkg: error processing package python3-apport (--configure):
 kravproblem - setter ikke opp pakken
Ingen apport-rapport skrevet for MaxReports allerede er nådd
                                                            dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of libglib2.0-dev:amd64:
 libglib2.0-dev:amd64 krever libglib2.0-dev-bin (= 2.56.3-0ubuntu0.18.04.1). Men:
  Pakke libglib2.0-dev-bin er ikke satt opp enda.

dpkg: error processing package libglib2.0-dev:amd64 (--configure):
 kravproblem - setter ikke opp pakken
Ingen apport-rapport skrevet for MaxReports allerede er nådd
                                                            dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of python3-problem-report:
 python3-problem-report krever python3:any (>= 3.3.2-2~). Men:
  Pakke python3 er ikke satt opp enda.

dpkg: error processing package python3-problem-report (--configure):
 kravproblem - setter ikke opp pakken
Ingen apport-rapport skrevet for MaxReports allerede er nådd
                                                            dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of ubuntu-drivers-common:
 ubuntu-drivers-common krever python3:any (>= 3.3.2-2~). Men:
  Pakke python3 er ikke satt opp enda.

dpkg: error processing package ubuntu-drivers-common (--configure):
 kravproblem - setter ikke opp pakken
Ingen apport-rapport skrevet for MaxReports allerede er nådd
                                                            dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of python3-uno:
 python3-uno krever python3:any (>= 3.3.2-2~). Men:
  Pakke python3 er ikke satt opp enda.
 python3-uno krever python3 (<< 3.7). Men:
  Pakke python3 er ikke satt opp enda.
 python3-uno krever python3 (>= 3.6~). Men:
  Pakke python3 er ikke satt opp enda.

dpkg: error processing package python3-uno (--configure):
 kravproblem - setter ikke opp pakken
Ingen apport-rapport skrevet for MaxReports allerede er nådd
                                                            dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of software-properties-gtk:
 software-properties-gtk krever python3:any (>= 3.3.2-2~). Men:
  Pakke python3 er ikke satt opp enda.
 software-properties-gtk krever python3. Men:
  Pakke python3 er ikke satt opp enda.
 software-properties-gtk krever ubuntu-drivers-common (>= 1:0.2.75). Men:
  Pakke ubuntu-drivers-common er ikke satt opp enda.

dpkg: error processing package software-properties-gtk (--configure):
 kravproblem - setter ikke opp pakken
Ingen apport-rapport skrevet for MaxReports allerede er nådd
                                                            dpkg: dependency problems prevent configuration of apturl-common:
 apturl-common krever python3:any (>= 3.3.2-2~). Men:
  Pakke python3 er ikke satt opp enda.
 apturl-common krever python3-update-manager. Men:
  Pakke python3-update-manager er ikke satt opp enda.

dpkg: error processing package apturl-common (--configure):
 kravproblem - setter ikke opp pakken
Ingen apport-rapport skrevet for MaxReports allerede er nådd


.... <snip>
.... continues forever
.... </snip>

                             dpkg: too many errors, stopping
Det oppsto feil ved behandling av:
 python3
 update-notifier-common
 libglib2.0-dev-bin
 python3-update-manager
 python3-dev
 gnome-shell
 apport-gtk
 apturl
 ubuntu-release-upgrader-core
 python3-apport
 libglib2.0-dev:amd64
 python3-problem-report
 ubuntu-drivers-common
 python3-uno
 software-properties-gtk
 apturl-common
 update-notifier
 gnome-software
 gedit-common
 unattended-upgrades
 gedit
 apport
 update-manager
 python3-gdbm:amd64
 python3-software-properties
 gnome-menus
 python3-lib2to3
 python3-distutils
 networkd-dispatcher
 python3-distupgrade
 software-properties-common
 ufw
 ubuntu-release-upgrader-gtk
 update-manager-core
 ubuntu-software
 gconf2
 python3-apt
 libcairo2-dev:amd64
 gnome-software-plugin-snap
 gdm3
 gconf2
 gconf2
 gconf2
 gconf2
 gconf2
 gconf2
 gconf2
 gconf2
 gconf2
 gconf2
 gconf2
Behandlingen ble stoppet på grunn av for mange feil.
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (1)

Not sure how to progress from here.

Printer: HP Color LaserJet MFP M277dw

It would help to have the English output. You can run LANG=C sudo apt install python3 to get it in English. — wjandrea, Feb 04 '19 at 14:45
Possible duplicate of How to install latest HPLIP on my Ubuntu to support my HP printer and/or scanner?. It seems that you have installed binary HPLIP version, then follow Uninstallation section in duplicate answer and this will fix your problems. Also please add your HP printer and/or scanner model to the question. — N0rbert, Feb 04 '19 at 15:01
@N0rbert Indeed you are right. Uninstalling the binary hplip did fix my issue. — oligofren, Feb 05 '19 at 10:14

`apt upgrade` borks on python3: apt now seemingly broken

0 Answers0