When using Arch Linux, you might encounter the following error when running Yay:
yay: error while loading shared libraries: libalpm.so.14: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory
This error indicates that Yay cannot locate the libalpm.so.14 file, which is part of the ALPM (Arch Linux Package Management) library. Typically, this error occurs after a system upgrade or due to an issue with the version of pacman not syncing with Yay.
In this article, we’ll cover how to fix this error step by step in a simple and SEO-friendly manner.
Causes of the “libalpm.so.14” Error
The main reasons for this error are:
- Pacman was updated: The latest version of pacman may use a newer version of libalpm, while Yay is still trying to access the old version.
- Missing ALPM library: The necessary library file for Yay is missing from the system or got corrupted during an update.
- Yay is outdated: The version of Yay you’re using might not be compatible with the latest version of pacman.
How to Fix “Libalpm.so.14” Error
Follow these steps to resolve the libalpm.so.14 error with Yay:
1. Update the Entire System
The first thing you should do is update your entire system to ensure that all packages, including pacman and Yay, are on the latest version.
Run the following command in the terminal:
sudo pacman -Syu
This command will synchronize and update all installed packages, including Yay. Once the update is complete, try running Yay again. If the error persists, proceed to the next step.
2. Rebuild and Reinstall Yay
If updating the system doesn’t solve the issue, you may need to rebuild and reinstall Yay. This will force Yay to update its dependencies and access the latest version of libalpm.
First, remove Yay from your system:
sudo pacman -R yay
Then, reinstall Yay using git:
cd /tmp
git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/yay.git
cd yay
makepkg -si
cd ..
rm -rf yay
This will clone Yay’s repository from AUR, build the package, and reinstall it on your system.
3. Check Pacman and Libalpm Versions
If the issue persists after reinstalling Yay, check the version of pacman and the installed libalpm library. Ensure that pacman and libalpm are on compatible versions.
Check your pacman version:
pacman -V
Check for the installed libalpm files:
ls /usr/lib/libalpm.so*
If you see a version other than libalpm.so.14, it means Yay is trying to access a version that no longer exists. You may need to ensure that Yay is fully updated to support the latest libalpm version.
4. Clear Pacman Cache
Sometimes, an overloaded or corrupted cache can cause problems with various libraries. Clearing pacman’s cache can help ensure that no outdated or problematic packages are causing the issue.
Run this command to clear the pacman cache:
sudo pacman -Scc
This will remove old cache files and allow the system to pull the latest version of the required libraries.
5. Try an Alternative AUR Helper
If Yay continues to fail, you can try using an alternative AUR helper like paru. Paru is similar to Yay and can be used while Yay is being fixed.
Install paru by running:
git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/paru.git
cd paru
makepkg -si
Once installed, you can use paru to manage AUR packages until Yay is fixed.
Conclusion
The “Yay: Error While Loading Shared Libraries: libalpm.so.14” issue is typically caused by version mismatches between pacman and Yay. By following the steps above—updating your system, reinstalling Yay, or using an alternative AUR helper—you should be able to resolve the problem easily.
Make sure to keep your system up to date to avoid similar issues in the future. If you encounter other problems, the Arch Linux community is a great resource for troubleshooting.
FAQ
1. Why did libalpm.so.14 disappear after the update?
This library file might no longer be used by pacman after the update, and Yay hasn’t been updated yet to support the new version.
2. Can I use another AUR helper instead of Yay?
Yes, you can try other AUR helpers like paru or trizen if Yay keeps causing issues.
Hopefully, this guide has helped you resolve the error in Arch Linux. Don’t hesitate to try the different steps, and hopefully, Yay will be up and running smoothly again!
