Software Center gives me a blank list of programs on Ubuntu 16.04

Asked Aug 04 '16 at 15:49

Active Jan 10 '21 at 11:52

Viewed 5,108 times

4

When I open the Software Center on 16.04 it only shows me the categories of the programs available. If I click on one, it just gives me a blank list of programs. I cannot remove or install programs now.

I've tried sudo apt-get update and upgrade but nothing seems to work.

edited Aug 11 '16 at 05:36

Anwar

76,649

asked Aug 04 '16 at 15:49

using-a-10yr-old-laptop

41

1

Please [edit] your question to provide the error message you get when you try sudo apt-get update Without further information I can only assume what's wrong. (Best guess is attempt to run command with software center still open (lock file)) – Elder Geek Aug 04 '16 at 15:53
4

Possible duplicate of The new software center in Ubuntu 16.04 shows no application data found – E.F. Nijboer Aug 04 '16 at 16:19

3 Answers3

2

Possible just restarting the application will cause it to reload properly:

$ killall gnome-software

Then launch the Ubuntu Software application.

If that doesn't resolve the issue, ensure that the issue isn't with the apt cache:

$ sudo apt clean
$ sudo apt update
$ sudo apt upgrade

Then launch the Ubuntu Software application.

If the above doesn't resolve it, then the steps will vary based on which version of Ubuntu.

With Ubuntu 16.04:

Remove the storage used by gnome-software:

$ killall gnome-software
$ rm -rf ~/.local/share/gnome-software

Then launch the Ubuntu Software application.

If that still doesn't resolve it, try to reinstall gnome-software

$ killall gnome-software
$ sudo apt gnome-software
$ sudo apt install gnome-software

Then launch the Ubuntu Software application.

The above suggestions are adapted from the article Ubuntu Software Center Not Working? Here Are the Fixes.

With Ubuntu 18.04 and higher:

Remove the storage used by the snap-store:

$ killall snap-store
$ rm -rf ~/snap/snap-store

Then launch the Ubuntu Software application.

It might not hurt to log off and log back in (or reboot even).

edited Sep 11 '20 at 05:56

answered Sep 10 '20 at 01:47

Stephen Gornick

121
6

2

I just realized that I just need to wait for the software center to load the list of apps. Center makes it without any visual indication, so you just see an empty list when you open some app category, and it will be uploaded in about 20-30 seconds. So if someone has this problem, they just need to try to wait first. It's ridiculous how unfriendly apps can be for the most popular desktop distribution.

answered Jan 10 '21 at 11:52

heimatlos

21

0

Try fixing it by removing the cache:

reboot
goto terminal (ctrl+alt+t)
command: mv ~/.cache/software-center{,.bak}

Good luck!

answered Aug 04 '16 at 16:24

E.F. Nijboer

1,331

I know this is an old question but I have same problem I tried your solution but got error - mv: cannot stat '/home/kerry/.cache/software-center': No such file or directory – kerry Mar 29 '17 at 08:13
Probably because the cache files are not there. You can easily check manually using nautilus. (check "Show hidden files" in Nautilus to make the /.cache folder visible). You could also open "Software & Updates" and choose another server for "Download From". Otherwise you could post a new question here on askubuntu.com. – E.F. Nijboer Mar 29 '17 at 16:43
ps. I see that software-center on my machine is using gnome-software. Maybe you could try to clean its cache instead. mv ~/.cache/gnome-software{,.bak} – E.F. Nijboer Mar 29 '17 at 16:53