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“killed by signal” error when trying to remove an apt package

Linux terminal

When you’re trying to remove an apt package and you encounter a “killed by signal” error, it means that the package removal process was interrupted and not fully completed. This error can occur due to a variety of reasons such as a system shutdown, network connection issues, or any other interruption during the package installation or removal process.

Here are some steps that you can follow to resolve this issue:

  1. Check the status of the interrupted process using the following command: sudo dpkg --configure -a
    This command will configure any packages that were not properly installed or removed.
  2. If the above command does not work, you can try the following command to force the installation or removal of the package:
    sudo dpkg --remove --force-remove-reinstreq <package-name>
    This command will remove the package and its configuration files. Replace <package-name> with the name of the package you want to remove.
  3. If the above commands do not work, you can try manually removing the package files using the following command: sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/info/<package-name>.* Replace <package-name> with the name of the package you want to remove.
  4. Finally, run the following command to remove any remaining dependencies of the package sudo apt-get autoremove

After following these steps, you should be able to remove the package that was interrupted by the signal.

It’s worth noting that forcefully removing a package using the --force-remove-reinstreq option may cause some unintended consequences such as broken dependencies, missing files, or other issues. Therefore, it’s important to use this option only as a last resort and after carefully considering its potential implications.

If you encounter any issues while following these steps or are unsure about any of the commands, it’s always a good idea to consult the documentation or seek help from the community. Additionally, it’s always a good idea to backup your system before making any major changes or modifications to avoid any data loss or other issues.

In conclusion, the “killed by signal” error can be a frustrating issue when trying to remove an apt package, but following the steps outlined in this post should help you resolve the issue and remove the package successfully.

Note: Thanks GPT!

References:

Is there a way to disable a laptop’s internal keyboard? – Ask Ubuntu

Unfortunately, I had to learn how to do this today.  🙁 I spilled not one but two cups of water off my nightstand onto my Dell laptop (don’t ask how). Somehow, the core of the laptop didn’t die, and I guess the keyboard didn’t literally die, but any keypress generates 15 random key strokes.  *sigh* Mebbe eventually the contacts will finish drying out and it’ll start working.

Mebbe…

Source: Is there a way to disable a laptop’s internal keyboard? – Ask Ubuntu