How To fix Ubuntu installation stuck on “Updates and Other Software” screen?

In this article, we will guide you through the process of fixing an Ubuntu installation that gets stuck on the “Updates and Other Software” screen. This is a common issue that many users face, but with the right steps, it can be resolved.

Understanding the Issue

The Ubuntu installation process is usually straightforward. However, sometimes it may get stuck on the “Updates and Other Software” screen. This can happen due to various reasons such as corrupted partitions, disk conflicts, compatibility issues, and more.

Solution 1: Delete Corrupted Partitions

One of the potential causes for the installation getting stuck could be a corrupted partition on your hard drive. You can use tools like Gparted or Disks to identify and delete these partitions.

To use Gparted, you can follow these steps:

1. Open Gparted from the Ubuntu live USB.
2. Select the corrupted partition.
3. Click on the delete button.
4. Apply the changes.

Please note that this will delete all data on the selected partition, so make sure to back up any important files before proceeding.

Solution 2: Format the Hard Drive

If you don’t have any important data on the hard drive, another solution could be to format it. This can be done using the mkfs.ext3 command in the terminal. Here’s how:

sudo mkfs.ext3 /dev/sdX

In this command, sdX should be replaced with the identifier for your hard drive. The mkfs.ext3 command is used to create an ext3 filesystem. However, it is recommended to use the ext4 filesystem instead for better performance. This can be done using the mkfs.ext4 command.

Solution 3: Disconnect Unnecessary Hard Drives

If you have multiple hard drives connected to your system, it might be a good idea to disconnect all of them except the one where you want to install Ubuntu. This can help speed up the installation process and prevent any potential conflicts.

Solution 4: Disable Hibernate on Windows

If you are dual-booting with Windows, you should turn off hibernate using the powercfg -hibernate off command in Windows. This can resolve compatibility issues during the Ubuntu installation.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator in Windows.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

powercfg -hibernate off

This command disables the hibernation feature in Windows, which can sometimes cause conflicts with the Ubuntu installation.

Solution 5: Start Installer in Safe Graphics Mode

If you have a Windows partition that you don’t want to format, another solution could be to start the Ubuntu installer in safe graphics mode. This can help bypass any compatibility issues and allow you to proceed with the installation.

To do this, select the “Try Ubuntu without installing” option when booting from the live USB. Then, open the installer from the Ubuntu desktop and select the “Safe Graphics” option.

Solution 6: Remove Windows Hibernation File Manually

Another potential solution is to remove the Windows hibernation file manually before running the Ubuntu installer. This can be done using Gparted or a live USB.

To do this, follow these steps:

1. Boot from the Ubuntu live USB.
2. Open Gparted.
3. Select the Windows partition.
4. Delete the hiberfil.sys file.

Please note that this will delete the hibernation data in Windows, so make sure to turn off hibernation in Windows before proceeding.

Conclusion

These are some of the potential solutions to fix the issue of Ubuntu installation getting stuck on the “Updates and Other Software” screen. Please note that these solutions may not work for everyone, as the issue can vary depending on the system configuration. If none of these solutions work, it may be helpful to seek further assistance from the Ubuntu community or developers.