gnome-software on Ubuntu 16.04 doesn't work

Question

After plain installation of Ubuntu 16.04 LTS gnome-software doesn't work. It has opened once with GUI, but installation of Unity Tweak Tool didn't finish.

When starting again, GUI doesn't come up. When opening from terminal, a warning appears, but the application GUI doesn't open.

$ gnome-software
(gnome-software:7052): Gs-WARNING: failed to open plugin /usr/lib/gs-plugins-9/libgs_plugin_xdg_app_reviews.so: /usr/lib/gs-plugins-9/libgs_plugin_xdg_app_reviews.so: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory

Does anybody have same experience, and eventually, a solution?

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According to the recommendation:

$ dpkg-query -S /usr/lib/gs-plugins-9/libgs_plugin_xdg_app_reviews.so
gnome-software: /usr/lib/gs-plugins-9/libgs_plugin_xdg_app_reviews.so

Proposed reinstall of gnome-software did not help.

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As workaround, use Synaptic Package manager and command line.

Solution 1

Perform these steps to Fix gnome-software/ubuntu-software

Rename or remove the ~/.local/share/gnome-software. In the steps below it's removed and will be recreated when you start gnome-software. It currently has a list of what has been installed. The first line will ensure the locked up instances are removed from memory. Might not be necessary.

$ killall gnome-software
$ rm -r ~/.local/share/gnome-software

Now run ubuntu-software or gnome-software from the Unity Launch Button.

Solution 2

Seen this fix going around, it worked for me:

sudo apt-get autoremove gnome-software
sudo apt-get install gnome-software

It appears if you just reinstall gnome-software it just works!

Solution 3

I had to go into file manager as root

sudo -H nautilus

Then move all the files from /usr/lib/gs-plugins-9 to a temp folder and delete ...reviews.so

I then opened gnome-software and it loaded empty.

Moved all the .so files back and opened successfully to install new software again finally!

Comments

[David Foerster]

What's the output of dpkg-query -S /usr/lib/gs-plugins-9/libgs_plugin_xdg_app_reviews.so? It should show one or more packages to which this file belongs; hopefully it's gnome-softwarecenter or something like that. Can you please reinstall that package with sudo apt-get install -f --reinstall <PACKAGE_NAME> and tell me if that helps? Include any error messages in your question that you encounter in the process.

[hiro protagonist]

i have the same problem as you do; and it manifests itelf also the way described in this question: askubuntu.com/questions/761487/…

[kovivox]

There is a workaround by using Synaptic Package Manager and command line. Nevertheless, the software center is not working.

[Ken Mollerup]

Software Center is still not working: getting this from terminal now!: (gnome-software:2915): Gs-WARNING **: failed to open plugin /usr/lib/gs-plugins-9/libgs_plugin_xdg_app_reviews.so: /usr/lib/gs-plugins-9/libgs_plugin_xdg_app_reviews.so: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory.

[Professor Quatschny]

After having tried every trick, including removing and re-installing gnome software and software center I still cannot open gnome center, getting the same warning about the /usr/lib plugin. I have the english version of ubuntu 16.04, installed over ubuntu 15.10.My husband did the same with the german version - his gnome software is working perfectly despite the fact that he gets in the terminal when entering gnome-software the identical warning about /usr/lib plugin.

[TinkerWise]

I am using 17.04 on Lenovo X1 Carbon, but this bug report and solution (#1606238) worked for me so far. Will report back if there are issues.

[Ken Mollerup]

I'm sorry but your reinstall do not work anymore ! Getting this again: (gnome-software:2915): Gs-WARNING **: failed to open plugin /usr/lib/gs-plugins-9/libgs_plugin_xdg_app_reviews.so: /usr/lib/gs-plugins-9/libgs_plugin_xdg_app_reviews.so: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory

[Admin]

Welcome to AskUbuntu! Glad this worked for you. In this case, the OP is aware there are workarounds, but they are specifically looking for a fix for gnome-software.

[cl-r]

right - good solution !

[Robin Hood]

This >> :thumbs-up:

[Ege Sucu]

gksu nautilus is better command since it is not recommend that you handle GUI applications with sudo

[rafrsr]

After many installs and attempts, only your solution works, thanks!!! :)