Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-04

How to Fix: GPG error: The following signatures couldn't be verified because the public key is not available

GPG error fix for apt-get update

Quick Answer: Update the package index by running "sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 3C962022012520A0" and then try updating again with "sudo apt-get update".

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 💡 Why You Are Getting This Error
  2. 🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps
  3. 💡 Conclusion

The GPG error 'NO_PUBKEY' occurs when the public key associated with a repository's signature is not available. This issue affects users who are trying to update their system using `sudo apt-get update`. The error message indicates that the public key for the specified package is missing, preventing the update process from proceeding.

This error can be frustrating because it prevents the user from accessing new software updates and security patches. However, there are steps you can take to resolve this issue and continue with your system's updates.

💡 Why You Are Getting This Error

  • The primary reason for this error is that the public key for the specified repository has expired or been removed. This can happen due to various reasons such as changes in package management policies, removal of repositories, or issues with the key signing process.
  • An alternative reason could be that the public key is not installed on the system. In some cases, the key may have been removed accidentally or intentionally during a previous update or configuration change.

🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps

Importing the Missing Public Key

  1. Step 1: Open a terminal and run the following command to import the missing public key: `sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 3C962022012520A0`. This command downloads and installs the missing public key.
  2. Step 2: Once the public key is installed, you can try running `sudo apt-get update` again to see if the issue is resolved.
  3. Step 3: If you encounter any issues during this process, you may need to repeat the steps or seek additional assistance.

Adding the Repository Manually

  1. Step 1: To manually add the repository, open the `/etc/apt/sources.list` file in a text editor using `sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list`. Add the following line to the end of the file: `deb http://archive.hivemind.me/ xenial main`.
  2. Step 2: Save and close the file. Then, run `sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 3C962022012520A0` to install the missing public key.

💡 Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the GPG error 'NO_PUBKEY' and continue with your system's updates. If you encounter any issues or concerns, feel free to seek additional assistance.

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