How do I fix this “E: Type '*' is not known on line * in source list …” update error?











up vote
35
down vote

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Every once in a while I see users having issues to update due to errors like this:



E:Type 'ain' is not known on line 1 in source list /etc/apt/sources.list.d/some-ppa.list'


with varying types/line numbers/source list files (often after removing a PPA).



How can such an error be fixed?










share|improve this question




























    up vote
    35
    down vote

    favorite
    3












    Every once in a while I see users having issues to update due to errors like this:



    E:Type 'ain' is not known on line 1 in source list /etc/apt/sources.list.d/some-ppa.list'


    with varying types/line numbers/source list files (often after removing a PPA).



    How can such an error be fixed?










    share|improve this question


























      up vote
      35
      down vote

      favorite
      3









      up vote
      35
      down vote

      favorite
      3






      3





      Every once in a while I see users having issues to update due to errors like this:



      E:Type 'ain' is not known on line 1 in source list /etc/apt/sources.list.d/some-ppa.list'


      with varying types/line numbers/source list files (often after removing a PPA).



      How can such an error be fixed?










      share|improve this question















      Every once in a while I see users having issues to update due to errors like this:



      E:Type 'ain' is not known on line 1 in source list /etc/apt/sources.list.d/some-ppa.list'


      with varying types/line numbers/source list files (often after removing a PPA).



      How can such an error be fixed?







      apt software-sources






      share|improve this question















      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question








      edited Feb 12 '17 at 7:38









      Zanna

      48.8k13123233




      48.8k13123233










      asked Jan 19 '12 at 23:24









      htorque

      46.4k32171211




      46.4k32171211






















          3 Answers
          3






          active

          oldest

          votes

















          up vote
          36
          down vote



          accepted










          The error indicates a malformed entry in a source file, which causes the update process to abort. To fix it, you have to either fix the entry (if you know what the right entry should look like) or remove it altogether (that's what I'm going to describe, as it's the fastest way to enable you to update your system again).





          1. First, you need to open the file containing the bad entry. The filename is given in the error message, in your example /etc/apt/sources.list.d/some-ppa.list. Open a terminal, and type



            sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list.d/some-ppa.list


            and press Enter. After entering your password, you should now see the file opened in the text editor nano.



          2. Now you need to locate the malformed entry. It should be on the line number given in the error message - in your case that would be line 1.


          3. This line should be incomplete and start with the unknown type the update process is complaining about (here ain). Just delete the whole line, and save/close the file with Ctrl+X.


          4. That's it. You should now be able to successfully run the update process!





          If that entry is all that's in the file, then you can just delete the file. To do this, just open a terminal and run the following command:



          sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/some-ppa.list





          share|improve this answer






























            up vote
            4
            down vote













            You're experiencing Bug #789859 in the software-properties package.



            The quick and immediate fix is to open up the file that the error message mentions (in this case /etc/apt/sources.list.d/the-board-team-dev-snapshots-natty.list) and remove the line that says ain. This is achieved like so:




            1. Press AltF2

            2. Enter: gksudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list.d/the-board-team-dev-snapshots-natty.list

            3. Remove the line that says ain

            4. Save the file


            When done, everything should work.



            To avoid experiencing this bug in the future, please visit the bug's Launchpad page and mark the bug as affecting you.






            share|improve this answer






























              up vote
              1
              down vote













              To completely remove any unwanted ppa we may use the script ppa-purge Install ppa-purge.



              that will remove the ppa and restores Ubuntu default settings for any applications that may have been installed by this ppa.



              In your case try if



              sudo ppa-purge -purge the-board-team/dev-snapshots


              followed by



              sudo apt-get update


              helps you to get rid of your synaptic error.






              share|improve this answer























              • TY ur Awesome!!!!
                – Jonthue Michel
                Apr 30 '11 at 12:41










              protected by Kaz Wolfe Mar 6 '17 at 17:47



              Thank you for your interest in this question.
              Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).



              Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?














              3 Answers
              3






              active

              oldest

              votes








              3 Answers
              3






              active

              oldest

              votes









              active

              oldest

              votes






              active

              oldest

              votes








              up vote
              36
              down vote



              accepted










              The error indicates a malformed entry in a source file, which causes the update process to abort. To fix it, you have to either fix the entry (if you know what the right entry should look like) or remove it altogether (that's what I'm going to describe, as it's the fastest way to enable you to update your system again).





              1. First, you need to open the file containing the bad entry. The filename is given in the error message, in your example /etc/apt/sources.list.d/some-ppa.list. Open a terminal, and type



                sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list.d/some-ppa.list


                and press Enter. After entering your password, you should now see the file opened in the text editor nano.



              2. Now you need to locate the malformed entry. It should be on the line number given in the error message - in your case that would be line 1.


              3. This line should be incomplete and start with the unknown type the update process is complaining about (here ain). Just delete the whole line, and save/close the file with Ctrl+X.


              4. That's it. You should now be able to successfully run the update process!





              If that entry is all that's in the file, then you can just delete the file. To do this, just open a terminal and run the following command:



              sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/some-ppa.list





              share|improve this answer



























                up vote
                36
                down vote



                accepted










                The error indicates a malformed entry in a source file, which causes the update process to abort. To fix it, you have to either fix the entry (if you know what the right entry should look like) or remove it altogether (that's what I'm going to describe, as it's the fastest way to enable you to update your system again).





                1. First, you need to open the file containing the bad entry. The filename is given in the error message, in your example /etc/apt/sources.list.d/some-ppa.list. Open a terminal, and type



                  sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list.d/some-ppa.list


                  and press Enter. After entering your password, you should now see the file opened in the text editor nano.



                2. Now you need to locate the malformed entry. It should be on the line number given in the error message - in your case that would be line 1.


                3. This line should be incomplete and start with the unknown type the update process is complaining about (here ain). Just delete the whole line, and save/close the file with Ctrl+X.


                4. That's it. You should now be able to successfully run the update process!





                If that entry is all that's in the file, then you can just delete the file. To do this, just open a terminal and run the following command:



                sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/some-ppa.list





                share|improve this answer

























                  up vote
                  36
                  down vote



                  accepted







                  up vote
                  36
                  down vote



                  accepted






                  The error indicates a malformed entry in a source file, which causes the update process to abort. To fix it, you have to either fix the entry (if you know what the right entry should look like) or remove it altogether (that's what I'm going to describe, as it's the fastest way to enable you to update your system again).





                  1. First, you need to open the file containing the bad entry. The filename is given in the error message, in your example /etc/apt/sources.list.d/some-ppa.list. Open a terminal, and type



                    sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list.d/some-ppa.list


                    and press Enter. After entering your password, you should now see the file opened in the text editor nano.



                  2. Now you need to locate the malformed entry. It should be on the line number given in the error message - in your case that would be line 1.


                  3. This line should be incomplete and start with the unknown type the update process is complaining about (here ain). Just delete the whole line, and save/close the file with Ctrl+X.


                  4. That's it. You should now be able to successfully run the update process!





                  If that entry is all that's in the file, then you can just delete the file. To do this, just open a terminal and run the following command:



                  sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/some-ppa.list





                  share|improve this answer














                  The error indicates a malformed entry in a source file, which causes the update process to abort. To fix it, you have to either fix the entry (if you know what the right entry should look like) or remove it altogether (that's what I'm going to describe, as it's the fastest way to enable you to update your system again).





                  1. First, you need to open the file containing the bad entry. The filename is given in the error message, in your example /etc/apt/sources.list.d/some-ppa.list. Open a terminal, and type



                    sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list.d/some-ppa.list


                    and press Enter. After entering your password, you should now see the file opened in the text editor nano.



                  2. Now you need to locate the malformed entry. It should be on the line number given in the error message - in your case that would be line 1.


                  3. This line should be incomplete and start with the unknown type the update process is complaining about (here ain). Just delete the whole line, and save/close the file with Ctrl+X.


                  4. That's it. You should now be able to successfully run the update process!





                  If that entry is all that's in the file, then you can just delete the file. To do this, just open a terminal and run the following command:



                  sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/some-ppa.list






                  share|improve this answer














                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer








                  edited Mar 6 '17 at 17:53









                  Kaz Wolfe

                  25.8k1372132




                  25.8k1372132










                  answered Jan 19 '12 at 23:25









                  htorque

                  46.4k32171211




                  46.4k32171211
























                      up vote
                      4
                      down vote













                      You're experiencing Bug #789859 in the software-properties package.



                      The quick and immediate fix is to open up the file that the error message mentions (in this case /etc/apt/sources.list.d/the-board-team-dev-snapshots-natty.list) and remove the line that says ain. This is achieved like so:




                      1. Press AltF2

                      2. Enter: gksudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list.d/the-board-team-dev-snapshots-natty.list

                      3. Remove the line that says ain

                      4. Save the file


                      When done, everything should work.



                      To avoid experiencing this bug in the future, please visit the bug's Launchpad page and mark the bug as affecting you.






                      share|improve this answer



























                        up vote
                        4
                        down vote













                        You're experiencing Bug #789859 in the software-properties package.



                        The quick and immediate fix is to open up the file that the error message mentions (in this case /etc/apt/sources.list.d/the-board-team-dev-snapshots-natty.list) and remove the line that says ain. This is achieved like so:




                        1. Press AltF2

                        2. Enter: gksudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list.d/the-board-team-dev-snapshots-natty.list

                        3. Remove the line that says ain

                        4. Save the file


                        When done, everything should work.



                        To avoid experiencing this bug in the future, please visit the bug's Launchpad page and mark the bug as affecting you.






                        share|improve this answer

























                          up vote
                          4
                          down vote










                          up vote
                          4
                          down vote









                          You're experiencing Bug #789859 in the software-properties package.



                          The quick and immediate fix is to open up the file that the error message mentions (in this case /etc/apt/sources.list.d/the-board-team-dev-snapshots-natty.list) and remove the line that says ain. This is achieved like so:




                          1. Press AltF2

                          2. Enter: gksudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list.d/the-board-team-dev-snapshots-natty.list

                          3. Remove the line that says ain

                          4. Save the file


                          When done, everything should work.



                          To avoid experiencing this bug in the future, please visit the bug's Launchpad page and mark the bug as affecting you.






                          share|improve this answer














                          You're experiencing Bug #789859 in the software-properties package.



                          The quick and immediate fix is to open up the file that the error message mentions (in this case /etc/apt/sources.list.d/the-board-team-dev-snapshots-natty.list) and remove the line that says ain. This is achieved like so:




                          1. Press AltF2

                          2. Enter: gksudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list.d/the-board-team-dev-snapshots-natty.list

                          3. Remove the line that says ain

                          4. Save the file


                          When done, everything should work.



                          To avoid experiencing this bug in the future, please visit the bug's Launchpad page and mark the bug as affecting you.







                          share|improve this answer














                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer








                          edited Mar 6 '17 at 8:55









                          muru

                          133k19282479




                          133k19282479










                          answered Jul 14 '11 at 12:16









                          runeks

                          256128




                          256128






















                              up vote
                              1
                              down vote













                              To completely remove any unwanted ppa we may use the script ppa-purge Install ppa-purge.



                              that will remove the ppa and restores Ubuntu default settings for any applications that may have been installed by this ppa.



                              In your case try if



                              sudo ppa-purge -purge the-board-team/dev-snapshots


                              followed by



                              sudo apt-get update


                              helps you to get rid of your synaptic error.






                              share|improve this answer























                              • TY ur Awesome!!!!
                                – Jonthue Michel
                                Apr 30 '11 at 12:41















                              up vote
                              1
                              down vote













                              To completely remove any unwanted ppa we may use the script ppa-purge Install ppa-purge.



                              that will remove the ppa and restores Ubuntu default settings for any applications that may have been installed by this ppa.



                              In your case try if



                              sudo ppa-purge -purge the-board-team/dev-snapshots


                              followed by



                              sudo apt-get update


                              helps you to get rid of your synaptic error.






                              share|improve this answer























                              • TY ur Awesome!!!!
                                – Jonthue Michel
                                Apr 30 '11 at 12:41













                              up vote
                              1
                              down vote










                              up vote
                              1
                              down vote









                              To completely remove any unwanted ppa we may use the script ppa-purge Install ppa-purge.



                              that will remove the ppa and restores Ubuntu default settings for any applications that may have been installed by this ppa.



                              In your case try if



                              sudo ppa-purge -purge the-board-team/dev-snapshots


                              followed by



                              sudo apt-get update


                              helps you to get rid of your synaptic error.






                              share|improve this answer














                              To completely remove any unwanted ppa we may use the script ppa-purge Install ppa-purge.



                              that will remove the ppa and restores Ubuntu default settings for any applications that may have been installed by this ppa.



                              In your case try if



                              sudo ppa-purge -purge the-board-team/dev-snapshots


                              followed by



                              sudo apt-get update


                              helps you to get rid of your synaptic error.







                              share|improve this answer














                              share|improve this answer



                              share|improve this answer








                              edited Mar 11 '17 at 19:00









                              Community

                              1




                              1










                              answered Apr 29 '11 at 12:34









                              Takkat

                              104k35245374




                              104k35245374












                              • TY ur Awesome!!!!
                                – Jonthue Michel
                                Apr 30 '11 at 12:41


















                              • TY ur Awesome!!!!
                                – Jonthue Michel
                                Apr 30 '11 at 12:41
















                              TY ur Awesome!!!!
                              – Jonthue Michel
                              Apr 30 '11 at 12:41




                              TY ur Awesome!!!!
                              – Jonthue Michel
                              Apr 30 '11 at 12:41





                              protected by Kaz Wolfe Mar 6 '17 at 17:47



                              Thank you for your interest in this question.
                              Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).



                              Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?



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