Fixing WSL1 Ubuntu 24.04 Upgrade Failure

Introduction

This article provides a step-by-step guide to fixing a failed upgrade of Ubuntu in the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) 24.04. The upgrade process using apt full-upgrade resulted in errors related to Settingsystemd.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding, ensure you have a freshly installed Ubuntu 24.04 in WSL.

Upgrade Error

The upgrade process using the command sudo apt full-upgrade resulted in the following errors:

 
 Settingsystemd (255.4-1ubuntu8.4) < 255.5-2ubuntu1~20.04.1 amd64 [install]
 Settingsystemd (255.5-2ubuntu1~20.04.1) < 255.5-2ubuntu1~20.04.1 amd64 [hold]
 Error: The following packages have been kept back:
   settingsystemd
 E: The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.
 
 

Solution

To resolve the issue, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Update package index

Run the following command to update the package index:

 
 sudo apt update
 
 

Step 2: Install the required dependencies

Install the required dependencies using the following command:

 
 sudo apt install -y apt-utils wget
 
 

Step 3: Download and install the latest Settingsystemd package

Download the latest Settingsystemd package using the following command:

 
 sudo wget https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/main/s/settingsystemd/settingsystemd_255.5-2ubuntu1~20.04.1_all.deb
 
 

Install the downloaded package using the following command:

 
 sudo dpkg -i settingsystemd_255.5-2ubuntu1~20.04.1_all.deb
 
 

Step 4: Update the package index again

Run the following command to update the package index:

 
 sudo apt update
 
 

Step 5: Upgrade the system

Run the following command to upgrade the system:

 
 sudo apt full-upgrade