Stuck on "waiting for apt-get to exit" in Software Centre

Question

I'm trying to download something, and it's stuck on "waiting for apt-get to exit". Also, when I'm trying to use the terminal it says "unable to lock the administration directory" after I type in a command.

Solution

apt-get is a tool for handling dpkg packages and handles one package at a time. There's may be a case that your previous action is still engaging the apt-get engine. Just like @karel suggested, 'close first and then only try another'

Note:

and neither rebooting

apt-get

apt

sudo rm /var/lib/apt/lists/lock

sudo rm /var/cache/apt/archives/lock

Comments

[Admin]

I got this after setting up auto-update in 18.04 and waiting 5-10 minutes was enough time for the lock to be released by the background update.

[Ramon Suarez]

I just tried and it did not work.