Ubuntu
dpkg package

"Unable to lock the administration directory (/var/lib/dpkg/), are you root?"

Asked by Dimitrios I Tachas

What am I doing if I see this message: "Unable to lock the administration directory (/var/lib/dpkg/), are you root?"
Because I can't upgrade the version.

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Thomas Krüger (thkrueger) said : 		#1

Only one program can have write access to the package database at a time. Root rights are required to that.
This message can appear when you...

a) Did not run the program with root rights. "sudo" missing?
b) An other program is accessing the package database. This can be apt, synaptic, software center, the backgroup update...
  make sure all programs are close, or reboot your system.

If the problem persists, try this: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/PackageManagerTroubleshootingProcedure
But append the ourput here, don't open a new question!

Revision history for this message
actionparsnip (andrew-woodhead666) said : 		#2

Reboot and run:

sudo apt-get update

Is it ok?

Can you help with this problem?

Provide an answer of your own, or ask Dimitrios I Tachas for more information if necessary.

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