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How to install Steam in 20.04 focal

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user1785730

Tried to install steam-installer with Ubuntu Software, got this very helpful error:

enter image description here

Then I tried the command line:

$ sudo apt install steam-installer

Some packages could not be installed. This may mean that you have
requested an impossible situation or if you are using the unstable
distribution that some required packages have not yet been created
or been moved out of Incoming.
The following information may help to resolve the situation:

The following packages have unmet dependencies:
 steam-installer : Depends: steam (= 1:1.0.0.61-2ubuntu3)
E: Unable to correct problems, you have held broken packages.

So steam-installer depends on steam, which cannot be resolved! What? Is the Ubuntu Steam package just broken?

Update:

$ sudo apt update
Hit:1 http://mx.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal InRelease                                                           
Hit:2 http://mx.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates InRelease                                                   
Hit:3 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-security InRelease
Hit:4 http://mx.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-backports InRelease
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
6 packages can be upgraded. Run 'apt list --upgradable' to see them.
$ sudo apt upgrade
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
Calculating upgrade... Done
The following packages will be upgraded:
  libssl1.1 openssl python3-software-properties software-properties-common software-properties-gtk
  ubuntu-advantage-tools
6 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
Need to get 2 902 kB of archives.
After this operation, 13.3 kB of additional disk space will be used.
Do you want to continue? [Y/n] 
Get:1 http://mx.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates/main amd64 libssl1.1 amd64 1.1.1f-1ubuntu2.10 [1 322 kB]
Get:2 http://mx.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates/main amd64 openssl amd64 1.1.1f-1ubuntu2.10 [620 kB]
Get:3 http://mx.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates/main amd64 ubuntu-advantage-tools amd64 27.4.2~20.04.1 [859 kB]
Get:4 http://mx.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates/main amd64 software-properties-common all 0.99.9.8 [10.6 kB]
Get:5 http://mx.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates/main amd64 software-properties-gtk all 0.99.9.8 [66.0 kB]
Get:6 http://mx.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-updates/main amd64 python3-software-properties all 0.99.9.8 [24.9 kB]
Fetched 2 902 kB in 4s (661 kB/s)                      
Preconfiguring packages ...
(Reading database ... 418427 files and directories currently installed.)
Preparing to unpack .../0-libssl1.1_1.1.1f-1ubuntu2.10_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking libssl1.1:amd64 (1.1.1f-1ubuntu2.10) over (1.1.1f-1ubuntu2.9) ...
Preparing to unpack .../1-openssl_1.1.1f-1ubuntu2.10_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking openssl (1.1.1f-1ubuntu2.10) over (1.1.1f-1ubuntu2.9) ...
Preparing to unpack .../2-ubuntu-advantage-tools_27.4.2~20.04.1_amd64.deb ...
Unpacking ubuntu-advantage-tools (27.4.2~20.04.1) over (27.4.1~20.04.1) ...
Preparing to unpack .../3-software-properties-common_0.99.9.8_all.deb ...
Unpacking software-properties-common (0.99.9.8) over (0.98.9.5) ...
Preparing to unpack .../4-software-properties-gtk_0.99.9.8_all.deb ...
Unpacking software-properties-gtk (0.99.9.8) over (0.98.9.5) ...
Preparing to unpack .../5-python3-software-properties_0.99.9.8_all.deb ...
Unpacking python3-software-properties (0.99.9.8) over (0.98.9.5) ...
Setting up libssl1.1:amd64 (1.1.1f-1ubuntu2.10) ...
Setting up python3-software-properties (0.99.9.8) ...
Setting up ubuntu-advantage-tools (27.4.2~20.04.1) ...
Setting up openssl (1.1.1f-1ubuntu2.10) ...
Setting up software-properties-common (0.99.9.8) ...
Setting up software-properties-gtk (0.99.9.8) ...
Processing triggers for dbus (1.12.16-2ubuntu2.1) ...
Processing triggers for shared-mime-info (1.15-1) ...
Processing triggers for desktop-file-utils (0.24-1ubuntu3) ...
Processing triggers for mime-support (3.64ubuntu1) ...
Processing triggers for hicolor-icon-theme (0.17-2) ...
Processing triggers for gnome-menus (3.36.0-1ubuntu1) ...
Processing triggers for libglib2.0-0:amd64 (2.64.6-1~ubuntu20.04.4) ...
Processing triggers for libc-bin (2.31-0ubuntu9.3) ...
Processing triggers for man-db (2.9.1-1) ...

Update2:

$ sudo apt install steam
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree       
Reading state information... Done
Some packages could not be installed. This may mean that you have
requested an impossible situation or if you are using the unstable
distribution that some required packages have not yet been created
or been moved out of Incoming.
The following information may help to resolve the situation:

The following packages have unmet dependencies:
 steam:i386 : Depends: libgl1-mesa-dri:i386 (>= 17.3) but it is not going to be installed or
                       libtxc-dxtn0:i386 but it is not installable
              Depends: libgl1-mesa-glx:i386 but it is not going to be installed
              Depends: libgpg-error0:i386 (>= 1.10) but it is not going to be installed
              Depends: libudev1:i386 but it is not going to be installed
              Depends: libxcb-dri3-0:i386 (>= 1.11.1) but it is not going to be installed
              Depends: libxinerama1:i386 (>= 2:1.1.1) but it is not going to be installed
              Depends: libc6:i386 (>= 2.15) but it is not going to be installed
              Depends: libstdc++6:i386 (>= 4.8) but it is not going to be installed
              Depends: libx11-6:i386 but it is not going to be installed
              Recommends: libxss1:i386 but it is not going to be installed
              Recommends: mesa-vulkan-drivers:i386 but it is not going to be installed
E: Unable to correct problems, you have held broken packages.

sources.list:

#deb cdrom:[Ubuntu 20.04 LTS _Focal Fossa_ - Release amd64 (20200423)]/ focal main restricted

# See http://help.ubuntu.com/community/UpgradeNotes for how to upgrade to
# newer versions of the distribution.
deb http://mx.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal main restricted
# deb-src http://mx.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal main restricted

## Major bug fix updates produced after the final release of the
## distribution.
deb http://mx.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-updates main restricted
# deb-src http://mx.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-updates main restricted

## N.B. software from this repository is ENTIRELY UNSUPPORTED by the Ubuntu
## team. Also, please note that software in universe WILL NOT receive any
## review or updates from the Ubuntu security team.
deb http://mx.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal universe
# deb-src http://mx.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal universe
deb http://mx.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-updates universe
# deb-src http://mx.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-updates universe

## N.B. software from this repository is ENTIRELY UNSUPPORTED by the Ubuntu 
## team, and may not be under a free licence. Please satisfy yourself as to 
## your rights to use the software. Also, please note that software in 
## multiverse WILL NOT receive any review or updates from the Ubuntu
## security team.
deb http://mx.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal multiverse
# deb-src http://mx.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal multiverse
deb http://mx.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-updates multiverse
# deb-src http://mx.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-updates multiverse

## N.B. software from this repository may not have been tested as
## extensively as that contained in the main release, although it includes
## newer versions of some applications which may provide useful features.
## Also, please note that software in backports WILL NOT receive any review
## or updates from the Ubuntu security team.
deb http://mx.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-backports main restricted universe multiverse
# deb-src http://mx.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ focal-backports main restricted universe multiverse

## Uncomment the following two lines to add software from Canonical's
## 'partner' repository.
## This software is not part of Ubuntu, but is offered by Canonical and the
## respective vendors as a service to Ubuntu users.
# deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu focal partner
# deb-src http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu focal partner

deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-security main restricted
# deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-security main restricted
deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-security universe
# deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-security universe
deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-security multiverse
# deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu focal-security multiverse

# This system was installed using small removable media
# (e.g. netinst, live or single CD). The matching "deb cdrom"
# entries were disabled at the end of the installation process.
# For information about how to configure apt package sources,
# see the sources.list(5) manual.

I think I've never fiddled with that.

518
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ChanganAuto avatar
us flag
ChanganAuto
No, it's not broken. It usually installs without issues. Make sure you have a fully update system. Very likely you have other issues that warrant correction before trying to install new software.
0
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tr flag
user1785730
Ubuntu just updated itself today. What other issues might I have?
0
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user535733 avatar
cn flag
user535733
It's not Steam. `you have requested an impossible situation` normally means that you are not using stock Ubuntu -- you have made changes. Those changes are now preventing Steam from installing. Either revert those changes to return to a stock system, or else edit your question to clear describe those changes so that we can suggest alternatives.
1
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Nmath avatar
ng flag
Nmath
The steam package is not broken but it looks like your package management system is. Edit your question with the output of `sudo apt update` and `sudo apt upgrade`. Please copy/paste the entire output of each into your question.
1
Reply
Organic Marble avatar
us flag
Organic Marble
In addition to @Nmath's requests, please edit your question and paste in the output of `apt policy steam-installer`. Also, is there a reason you are not using the official installer from the Steam website `steam-latest.deb`?
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tr flag
user1785730
@user535733: Define 'stock Ubuntu'. A fresh install? I've just installed a few packages.
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tr flag
user1785730
@OrganicMarble: Not really. I simply assumed the Ubuntu package to be least painful way. I mean, that's the great thing about Ubuntu (or any Linux distribution): the package manager.
0
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Organic Marble avatar
us flag
Organic Marble
I've had steam working for years - including on my current 20.04 Ubuntu install - and I've never heard of the package `steam-installer`. I see it in the repos, but it's not installed on my pc. The package I have installed is `steam-launcher`.
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tr flag
user1785730
@Nmath: I've updated my question with the requested information. Funny that there where upgrades available, since the Software Updater already ran today. Is that not enough?
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tr flag
user1785730
Anyway, has anybody tried to install `steam-installer` and there are no issues?
0
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Organic Marble avatar
us flag
Organic Marble
Don't install `steam-installer`. Download the official package from the steam website. It will add a repository and provide future updates through the package system.
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tr flag
user1785730
I just tried to install `steam` instead of `steam-installer`. The ouput is in my question.
0
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Nmath avatar
ng flag
Nmath
are there possibly some PPAs that could be conflicting with your packages? Can you post `cat /etc/apt/sources.list` as well?
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tr flag
user1785730
@Nmath: I've posted `/etc/apt/sources.list`
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Nmath avatar
ng flag
Nmath
nothing seems out of the ordinary there -- the answer just posted by @Organic Marble might be the best path forward. Though I am curious if you might be able to manually install those dependencies with `sudo apt install libgl1-mesa-dri:i386 libgl1-mesa-glx:i386 libgpg-error0:i386 libudev1:i386 libxcb-dri3-0:i386 libxinerama1:i386 libc6:i386 libstdc++6:i386 libx11-6:i386` -- I'd start with Organic Marble's solution first tho
0
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cc flag
ubfan1
Steam needs the 386 libraries. Did you ever add that architecture with dpkg --add-architecture i386 ? Then apt-get update again and then try to install steam.
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Organic Marble avatar
us flag
Organic Marble
Note that an official steam installation does not have the packages `steam` or `steam-installer` installed.
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N0rbert avatar
zw flag
N0rbert
Does this answer your question? [How do I restore the default repositories?](https://askubuntu.com/questions/124017/how-do-i-restore-the-default-repositories) as it installs normally on fresh 20.04 LTS with only three commands executed - `sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386`; `sudo apt-get update`; `sudo apt-get install steam` .
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Organic Marble avatar
us flag
Organic Marble
@Norbert that may work, but if you install it from the vendor website, the package 'steam' doesn't get installed. OP had manually installed a version of 'libc6' newer than what is in the 20.04 repos somehow which led to dependency hell.
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Score:4
Organic Marble avatar Ubuntu
us flag
Organic Marble

You are going down a road that will only lead to pain.

Download and install the official package from the Steam website. https://store.steampowered.com/

When you do that, it will install the package steam-launcher and add the ppa steampowered.org

On first run, a bunch of other packages will be installed:

Steam needs to install these additional packages: libc6:amd64 libc6:i386 libegl1:amd64 libegl1:i386 libgbm1:amd64 libgbm1:i386 libgl1-mesa-dri:amd64 libgl1-mesa-dri:i386 libgl1:amd64 libgl1:i386 steam-libs-amd64:amd64 steam-libs-i386:i386 xdg-desktop-portal xdg-desktop-portal-gtk xterm

These packages have a lot of dependencies that also get installed.

Neither steam nor steam-installer gets installed!

Future updates will be handled automatically through the package system.

0 + 0
tr flag
user1785730
This opens Ubuntu Software which gives an error: `Failed to install file: not supported`
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Organic Marble avatar
us flag
Organic Marble
Download the file first. You will have to install the downloaded .deb either by command line or with `Gdebi`. I use the latter, so I don't remember how to do it via command line, although I'm sure it's on this site somewhere.
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tr flag
user1785730
`sudo apt install ./steam_latest.deb` did succeed. I'll take from that that the *Ubuntu Software* application is broken.
1
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Organic Marble avatar
us flag
Organic Marble
I think "ubuntu software" is pretty focused on snaps. I never use it myself.
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ChanganAuto avatar
us flag
ChanganAuto
No, Ubuntu Software is not broken and the problem isn't about its focus on snaps. The problem is the store is snap itself therefore, by default, it has access ONLY to the user's space. When you select to open the .deb directly from the browser, as opposed to download it let's say to your "Downloads" folder, the browser downloads it to a temporary folder which is inaccessible to snaps so it errors out.
3
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Organic Marble avatar
us flag
Organic Marble
@ChanganAuto I removed snap from my systems when I install them, so I'm happy to accept your comment as correct.
0
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ChanganAuto avatar
us flag
ChanganAuto
@OrganicMarble You can confirm it in a freshly installed system (VM is fine, obviously). Try to open any .deb directly from the browser and it'll fail. Download it locally and then double-click it and it'll work as it always did.
1
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tr flag
user1785730
Steam still doesn't work, something about libc6. I've made a new question: https://askubuntu.com/q/1379785/1074311
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Organic Marble avatar
us flag
Organic Marble
@ChanganAuto I don't need to test it! I'm always ready to believe bad things about snaps.
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tr flag
user1785730
@ChanganAuto: I think the Download Dialog should not offer to open the file with *Software Install* in the first place, if it's known that that can't work.
1
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ChanganAuto avatar
us flag
ChanganAuto
@OrganicMarble But... but... Think how safer it is now with all this confinement :D Thsi annoyances are small price to pay for such leap forward. That they also use a lot more space not a problem either, even large SSDs are relatively cheap nowadays.
1
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Organic Marble avatar
us flag
Organic Marble
@user1785730 weird. I just installed it in a vm to make sure I got the wording on the answer right.
0
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ChanganAuto avatar
us flag
ChanganAuto
@OrganicMarble *Download Dialog should not offer to open the file (...) if it's known that that can't work* Yes, we know that but the browsers don't, they still have the same file association as they always had and that can't be easily changed in order to affect the browsers' behavior only.
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Organic Marble avatar
us flag
Organic Marble
@user1785730 I got a popup saying You are missing the following 32-bit libraries and steam may not run libc.so.6 The launcher did run, but I did not try to run any games (because vm)
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tr flag
user1785730
@OrganicMarble: Yes, that's what I got too. The launcher doesn't run though. I think it's because I have libc6 - not libc6-i386 - already installed.
1
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Organic Marble avatar
us flag
Organic Marble
@user1785730 Oddly, in the vm test install, both libc6 and libc6:i386 got installed, so I am not sure really what it was complaining about. Both packages are version 2.31-0ubuntu9.2
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