Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix: apt-get fails at everything in Ubuntu due to postgresql error - how to fix?

apt-get fails due to PostgreSQL error in Ubuntu server

Quick Answer: Try removing the postgresql package and its dependencies, then reinstall mysql-server.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 🔍 Why This Happens
  2. 🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps
  3. 💡 Conclusion

The error 'apt-get fails at everything in Ubuntu due to postgresql error - how to fix?' is affecting users who have installed PostgreSQL on their system, causing issues with other packages such as MySQL and FFmpeg. The frustration comes from the fact that PostgreSQL seems to be tied to all other packages, making it difficult to remove or uninstall. This guide aims to help users troubleshoot and resolve this issue.

The primary goal of this guide is to assist users in resolving the issue with PostgreSQL, allowing them to focus on installing and configuring MySQL Server without any further complications.

🔍 Why This Happens

  • PostgreSQL has been installed or enabled on the system, causing a conflict with other packages. This can happen when the system is configured to use PostgreSQL as the default database, making it difficult to remove or uninstall.
  • The system's package manager (apt-get) may not be able to remove PostgreSQL due to its dependencies on other packages, such as MySQL and FFmpeg.

🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps

Remove PostgreSQL using the 'purge' command with caution

  1. Step 1: Before proceeding, ensure that you have backed up any important data, as removing PostgreSQL will delete all data stored in its databases. To remove PostgreSQL using the 'purge' command, run the following command: sudo apt-get purge postgresql-9.1
  2. Step 2: This command will remove the PostgreSQL package and its dependencies from the system. However, if PostgreSQL is still running, you may need to manually stop it before proceeding.
  3. Step 3: After removing PostgreSQL, use the 'autoremove' command to remove any unnecessary packages: sudo apt-get autoremove

Remove PostgreSQL using the 'remove' command with dependencies

  1. Step 1: If the 'purge' command fails due to dependencies, you can try removing PostgreSQL using the 'remove' command. This method is more explicit but may require more manual intervention: sudo apt-get remove postgresql-9.1 --force-reinstall
  2. Step 2: This command will remove the PostgreSQL package and its dependencies from the system. However, be cautious when using this method, as it can lead to broken packages if not done correctly.

💡 Conclusion

By following these steps, users should be able to remove PostgreSQL from their system and resolve the issue with apt-get. Remember to back up important data before proceeding and exercise caution when removing dependencies or using the 'force-reinstall' option.

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