HowTo: Fix Ubuntu “Requires Installation of Untrusted Packages” Update Error

Ubuntu Untrusted Packages

One of the first things I did after I got my Lenovo IdeaPad Y560 was to make it dual boot to Windows 7 and Ubuntu. After I have installed Ubuntu, I immediately run the Update Manager to update the system. Btw, I always update the system (either Windows or Ubuntu) before I install any programs or do any customizations. This makes sure that all components are up-to-date and helps make the system run smoother and lessens the chances of errors or conflicts with other components.

Anyways, when I tried to download and install the available updates for Ubuntu, I got this error message:

Requires installation of untrusted packages – “The action would require the installation of packages from not authenticated sources.”

I’ve installed Ubuntu lots of times before and this was the first time that I encountered this issue/error. I Googled the error message and found the very short and very simple solution from the Ubuntu forums. I’m sharing this in case someone might encounter the same problem and get the “requires installation of untrusted packages” error while updating Ubuntu.

How To Fix “Requires Installation of Untrusted Packages” Update Error

1. On your Ubuntu panel, click on System > Administration > Update Manager.
Ubuntu Update Error

2. Look for Settings at the bottom left corner of the Update Manager window, click on it.
Ubuntu Update Error

3. On the Software Sources window, click on the Ubuntu Software tab.
4. Under Downloadable from the Internet, put a check on Source Code.
Ubuntu Update Error

5. Close the window and the changes will be applied.
6. On Update Manager, click on Install Updates.

UPDATE:
As mentioned in one of the comments by Sky WalkeR, this issue can also be fixed by typing in the following command lines in the terminal:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

That should do it and you should now be able to download and install the available updates for your system. In my case, the Source Code option was not ticked/checked. After I put a check on it and clicked on Install Updates, the “requires installation of untrusted packages” error went away.

Hope this short and simple tutorial will help you if you encounter the same problem while updating Ubuntu. If you know of a different way to solve this problem when updating Ubuntu, please feel free to share it with us via the comment section. Thank you!

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57 Comments

  1. I’ve tried the following instead.
    from command-line:


    sudo apt-get update
    sudo apt-get upgrade

    also have worked for me.

    1. thanks for the solution everyone – this was really bugging me as it is somewhat intermittent.
      sudo apt-get update
      sudo apt-get upgrade

      takes care of all of it of course

  2. SKEPTIC'S EYEsays:

    I did the same thing Peiter did; I changed from U.S. to main server-worked! Wouldn’t have known to do it if not for this page-thanks!

  3. i’ve checked the sourcecode box tried main server and every server on the list i also tried checking for best server and i still get this error:

    “Requires installation of untrusted packages
    The action would require the installation of packages from not authenticated sources.”

    details:

    libavcodec52 libavutil50 libfaac0 libmjpegtools-1.9 libmp3lame0
    libquicktime1 libswscale0 libvpx0 libx264-112 libx264-118

    please help thanks UBUNTU FOREVER !
    KARMAKID

  4. also look in details tab to see if any other programs are conflicting with the update. I had to uninstall wine in order to stop recieving the error

  5. I had to do like Pieter said and change ‘Download From:’ Mine was set to ‘United States’ I changed it to ‘Main Server’ and all is good thanks

    Pieter Says:
    July 18th, 2011 at 5:23 AM

    neo, I had the same problem. I changed ‘Download from’ from a local / national server to ‘Main server’. After that, I could check the ‘Source code’ checkbox.

      1. You have to switch “download from:” to either “main server” or “united states” (which is probably the same :)

        After switching, I was able to select it and it worked out for me.
        I hope it helps

      2. choose the “main server”, not the ‘country’ server. then, the source code will authenticate and all available options will be seen/available

    1. dave, i had the same problem, but it started updating properly anyways. So i guess jus making d box orange is enough. Try updating once.

  6. neo, I had the same problem. I changed ‘Download from’ from a local / national server to ‘Main server’. After that, I could check the ‘Source code’ checkbox.

  7. problem fixed. i used “ubuntu tweak” for this. i also got new repositories added, the real google chrome is now added, not the chromium one. plus skype :)

  8. im using ubuntu 10.10 now. it didnt work though :( i only get a minus [-] tickbox. cant set it to check. any help? the one bugging my update was the “nautilus”.

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