The Easiest Way to Enable Automatic Updates on Ubuntu

Written by

Ojash

Reviewed by

Akshat

Last updated: May 5, 2024

Expert verified

Keeping your Ubuntu system updated might seem like a hassle, but it’s really important for keeping it secure and running smoothly. If you’re tired of manually checking for updates and want a simpler way, I’ve got great news for you! You can set your system to update automatically. In this post, I’ll show you how to easily enable automatic updates on Ubuntu, so you don’t have to worry about it anymore. I’ll also share some tips on troubleshooting and maintaining your system.

How to Enable Automatic Updates on Ubuntu?

Enabling automatic updates on your Ubuntu system is a crucial step to ensure that your system remains secure and efficient by receiving the latest security patches and feature updates without manual intervention. Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up automatic updates on Ubuntu:

1. Open your terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T.

2. Enter the following command:

lsb_release -a

Note down the release number displayed.

3. To ensure that your system is up-to-date to avoid any conflicts, in the terminal, run:

sudo apt update

The command will update the package list.

4. Then, execute the command:

sudo apt upgrade

It will upgrade all your installed packages to their latest versions.

5. Now install the unattended-upgrades package by running the command:

sudo apt install unattended-upgrades

6. Confirm the installation when prompted. This package is used to manage automatic updates.

7. To configure what types of updates should be applied automatically, edit the configuration file by entering:

sudo nano /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/50unattended-upgrades

This command opens the configuration file in the nano editor, where you can specify which updates to automate.

8. Inside the file, you will find several lines commented out (marked by //). Uncomment (remove the //) the lines under "${distro_id}:${distro_codename}-updates", for regular system updates.
9. Ensure that lines for security updates are uncommented to allow automatic security updates:

Unattended-Upgrade::Allowed-Origins {
"${distro_id}:${distro_codename}";
"${distro_id}:${distro_codename}-security";
// Extended list if necessary
};

10. Save the changes by pressing Ctrl+O, hit Enter to confirm, and Ctrl+X to exit.

11. Now, you need to enable the automatic update feature. Back in the terminal, type:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure --priority=low unattended-upgrades

This command will open a dialog that allows you to select whether updates should be automatically applied.

12. Choose Yes and press Enter.

13. You can also set up automatic clean-up to manage disk space by removing old packages. Open the auto-cleanup configuration file by typing: 

sudo nano /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/20auto-upgrades

This command opens another configuration file where you can set how often the system cleans up old packages.

14. Add the following lines to ensure that the system cleans up old packages automatically:

APT::Periodic::Update-Package-Lists "1";
APT::Periodic::Download-Upgradeable-Packages "1";
APT::Periodic::AutocleanInterval "7";
APT::Periodic::Unattended-Upgrade "1";

15. The numbers represent days. Adjust them according to your preference.

16. To ensure that everything is set up correctly, run:

sudo unattended-upgrade --dry-run --debug

This command simulates an update without installing anything, allowing you to verify that everything works as expected.

Troubleshooting Issues With Automatic Updates on Ubuntu

Experiencing issues with automatic updates on your Ubuntu system can disrupt your workflow. Here are four common problems you might encounter, along with more detailed solutions to ensure your system’s updates run smoothly:

• 🔍 Updates Not Running Automatically: Check if unattended-upgrades is installed by running sudo apt install unattended-upgrades. Verify that automatic updates are enabled in both /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/20auto-upgrades and /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/50unattended-upgrades. Ensure these files have the correct settings to authorize updates, such as the correct origin lines under Unattended-Upgrade::Allowed-Origins.
• 🔄 Updates Partially Applied: Instability during updates can be due to intermittent internet or power issues. Inspect the log files in /var/log/unattended-upgrades/unattended-upgrades.log for errors that might indicate interrupted downloads or installation issues. Freeing up disk space or checking disk health might also resolve problems where updates fail to complete.
• ⚠️ System Stability Issues After Updates: If updates lead to system instability or application issues, you can use APT’s pinning feature to hold a package at a current version, preventing problematic updates. Edit or create a file in /etc/apt/preferences.d/ to specify package versions to be held back.
• 🚫 Notification Emails Not Being Sent: If you’re not receiving email notifications after updates, ensure that the mailx or postfix package is correctly installed and configured. Use sudo apt install mailx or sudo apt install postfix to set up. Check the email configuration settings in /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/50unattended-upgrades and confirm that the email address is correctly formatted and the sending options are properly configured.

Best Practices for System Maintenance with Automatic Updates

Maintaining your Ubuntu system is essential, especially when you’ve enabled automatic updates. Here are four best practices that can help ensure your system runs smoothly and remains reliable:

• 🔄 Regular System Backups: Make sure to back up your data consistently. Use tools like rsync for manual backups or Deja Dup for automated, scheduled backups. These tools can back up your files to external drives or cloud storage, providing a safety net in case of data loss or system failure.
• 🧹 Clean Up Disk Space: It is crucial to keep your system free of unnecessary files. Use sudo apt autoremove to remove outdated packages and dependencies no longer needed and sudo apt clean to clear out the downloaded package files that are no longer needed. This helps optimize system performance and ensure there’s enough space for important updates and applications.
• 🔍 Monitor System Logs: Stay informed about what’s happening on your system by regularly checking the logs. Use journalctl to review system logs or browse specific log files in /var/log/ for any signs of issues or errors. This proactive monitoring can help you catch and resolve problems before they affect system performance.
• 🛠️ Hardware Checks: Conduct regular checks on your physical hardware to avoid unexpected failures. Use smartctl from the smartmontools package to monitor the health of your HDD or SSD. For memory testing, run memtest from the GRUB menu on boot to check for errors in your RAM. These tools help identify potential hardware issues that could lead to more serious problems if left unchecked.

Final Thoughts

I hope this comprehensive guide on enabling automatic updates on Ubuntu, troubleshooting common issues, and implementing best practices for system maintenance helps you keep your Ubuntu system secure and efficient. Remember, consistent updates, regular backups, and vigilant monitoring are key to maintaining optimal performance and security.

If you’re interested to learn more, consider exploring topics related to fixing update-related errors, clearing the apt-cache, and managing package versions using apt. These areas will enhance your understanding and your ability to effectively manage your Ubuntu system, providing you with valuable insights and skills to tailor your computing environment to your needs.

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