Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-15

How to Fix: tar error message: "stdin: not in gzip format"

tar error message: stdin not in gzip format on Ubuntu Server 12

Quick Answer: Use the --use-compress-format option with tar to specify the compression format, e.g. tar -xzvf --use-compress-format=gzip dropbox.tar.gz

📋 Table of Contents

  1. ⚠️ Common Causes
  2. ✅ Best Solutions to Fix It
  3. 🎯 Final Words

The 'stdin: not in gzip format' error message is encountered when attempting to extract a tarball that was compressed using a different compression algorithm. This issue affects users of headless Ubuntu Server 12 who are trying to unpack files downloaded from Dropbox, as the dropbox.com client compresses files in gzip format but does not specify the format during download.

This error can be frustrating because it prevents users from successfully extracting their downloaded tarballs, which can lead to wasted time and lost data. However, with the right steps, you can resolve this issue and successfully extract your compressed files.

⚠️ Common Causes

  • The primary reason for this error is that the 'tar' command on Ubuntu Server 12 expects gzip-compressed files but may not be able to handle other compression formats like 7z. This is because the default configuration of tar on Ubuntu does not support all types of compressed archives.
  • As an alternative, some users have reported success with using the '--untar' option instead of '-xvf', which allows for more flexibility in handling different compression algorithms.

✅ Best Solutions to Fix It

Using the '--untar' Option

  1. Step 1: Open a terminal on your Ubuntu Server 12 and navigate to the directory where you downloaded the tarball. Type 'tar --untar -f dropbox.tar.gz' to extract the contents of the compressed file.
  2. Step 2: Note that using this option may not work with all types of compression algorithms, so it's essential to test it first by extracting a small portion of the tarball to ensure its integrity.
  3. Step 3: If successful, you can then proceed with extracting the rest of the files as needed.

Using 7z Unarchiver

  1. Step 1: Download and install the 7z Unarchiver on your Ubuntu Server 12. You can do this by running 'apt-get update' followed by 'apt-get install p7zip-full'.
  2. Step 2: Once installed, navigate to the directory where you downloaded the tarball and type '7z x dropbox.tar.gz' to extract its contents.

🎯 Final Words

To resolve the 'stdin: not in gzip format' error message when extracting a compressed tarball on headless Ubuntu Server 12, try using either the '--untar' option with tar or the 7z Unarchiver. If you're still experiencing issues, consider seeking further assistance from your system administrator or IT support team.

Did this fix your problem?

If not, try searching for specific error codes.

🔍 Search Error Database

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

🛠️ Related Fixes

How to Fix: Pc crashes shortly after launching game (rainbow

Fix Pc crashes shortly after launching game (rainbow six siege). Compl

How to Fix: Installing an APK on a locked down phone

Installing an APK on a locked down phone: Try using a rooted device, e

How to Fix: New PC build- no signal and no clue

Fix New PC build- no signal and no clue. Complete troubleshooting guid