In this article, we will walk you through the steps to fix the ‘Unable to Locate Package linux-firmware-nonfree’ error in Ubuntu. This error typically arises when trying to install the package on Ubuntu 16.04 or later versions.
To fix the ‘Unable to Locate Package linux-firmware-nonfree’ error in Ubuntu, you can update the kernel to the Hardware Enablement (HWE) kernel by running the command ‘sudo apt install linux-generic-hwe-16.04’. This will provide updated versions of the kernel and X stack for existing Ubuntu LTS releases. After updating the kernel, check if the wireless connectivity issue has been resolved.
Understanding the Issue
The package linux-firmware-nonfree is not available for Ubuntu 16.04 or later releases. This package was only released for older versions of Ubuntu. The error arises because the system is unable to locate the package in the package repository for the current Ubuntu release.
Moreover, if you’re trying to resolve issues with the Intel iwlwifi driver, it’s important to note that it’s already included in the default kernel firmware packages.
Updating the Kernel
One way to resolve this issue is by updating the kernel to the Hardware Enablement (HWE) kernel. The HWE kernel provides updated versions of the kernel and X stack for existing Ubuntu LTS releases, which can be beneficial for systems with newer hardware.
To update the kernel, you can use the following command:
sudo apt install linux-generic-hwe-16.04In this command, sudo is used to execute the command with root privileges. apt is the package handling utility in Ubuntu, and install is the command to install a new package. linux-generic-hwe-16.04 is the package name for the HWE kernel in Ubuntu 16.04.
After running this command, your system will download and install the HWE kernel. Once the installation is complete, you should reboot your system for the changes to take effect.
Checking the Wireless Connectivity
After updating the kernel, you should check if the wireless connectivity issue has been resolved. If not, you may need to troubleshoot further or consider alternative solutions.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter permission denied errors while trying to download and install a newer version of linux-firmware, it could be a temporary issue with the mirror. In such a case, you should retry the command. If the issue persists, you might need to provide a detailed description of your problem on a tech forum for further assistance.
Conclusion
In summary, the ‘Unable to Locate Package linux-firmware-nonfree’ error in Ubuntu can be resolved by updating the kernel to the HWE kernel. It’s important to note that the linux-firmware-nonfree package is not necessary for Intel firmware, as it is free and already included in the default kernel firmware packages.
Remember to always back up your data before making significant changes to your system, such as updating the kernel. This way, you can restore your system to its previous state if anything goes wrong.
If you have any further questions or need additional help, feel free to ask in the comments section below.
The linux-firmware-nonfree package in Ubuntu is used to provide non-free firmware files for certain hardware devices. These firmware files are required for the proper functioning of the hardware. However, it’s important to note that for Intel firmware, it is already included in the default kernel firmware packages and thus the linux-firmware-nonfree package is not necessary.
No, the linux-firmware-nonfree package is not available for Ubuntu 16.04 or later releases. It was only released for older versions of Ubuntu. If you’re using Ubuntu 16.04 or later and need firmware files for certain hardware devices, it is recommended to update your kernel to the Hardware Enablement (HWE) kernel instead.
