14.04 libnl update broke Network Manager and Network

[bswarm2]

I had the "pre-released updates" box checked in my software updates. When I did an update yesterday and rebooted, I lost wired/wireless networking and Network Manager wouldn't start.

dmesg | grep network-manager

kept showing segfaults. I tried various things, but nothing worked until I manually rolled back the update. I had to download the previous versions of libnl (see the following log file) from http://packages.ubuntu.com/source/trusty/libnl3 on another computer and transfer them via flashdrive then install them with

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

The files needed were libnl-3-200_3.2.21-1_amd64.deb libnl-genl-3-200_3.2.21-1_amd64.deb libnl-route-3-200_3.2.21-1_amd64.deb
I got my networking back after that.

LOGFILE
Commit Log for Thu Jan 28 16:18:10 2016
Upgraded the following packages:
libnl-3-200 (3.2.21-1) to 3.2.21-1ubuntu1
libnl-genl-3-200 (3.2.21-1) to 3.2.21-1ubuntu1
libnl-route-3-200 (3.2.21-1) to 3.2.21-1ubuntu1

Edit:
Summary...
Don't use synaptic to remove or roll back the packages, it will try to remove many files along with it or pop up with broken dependencies.
Steps to fix...
1- Download the 3 files on another computer from http://packages.ubuntu.com/source/trusty/libnl3.
2- Copy them to a flashdrive.
3- Put the flashdrive in to the affected computer.
4- Copy the 3 files into a new folder.
5- Open a terminal in that folder and run

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

It will install those packages and networking should come back after restarting.
Hope this helps anyone with the same problem.

Update Feb 3rd...
It looks like they fixed the problems by updating several network packages.

Commit Log for Wed Feb  3 12:49:20 2016


Upgraded the following packages:
gir1.2-networkmanager-1.0 (0.9.8.8-0ubuntu7.2) to 0.9.8.8-0ubuntu7.3
libnl-3-200 (3.2.21-1) to 3.2.21-1ubuntu1
libnl-genl-3-200 (3.2.21-1) to 3.2.21-1ubuntu1
libnl-route-3-200 (3.2.21-1) to 3.2.21-1ubuntu1
libnm-glib-vpn1 (0.9.8.8-0ubuntu7.2) to 0.9.8.8-0ubuntu7.3
libnm-glib4 (0.9.8.8-0ubuntu7.2) to 0.9.8.8-0ubuntu7.3
libnm-util2 (0.9.8.8-0ubuntu7.2) to 0.9.8.8-0ubuntu7.3
network-manager (0.9.8.8-0ubuntu7.2) to 0.9.8.8-0ubuntu7.3
network-manager-dbg (0.9.8.8-0ubuntu7.2) to 0.9.8.8-0ubuntu7.3

So there's no reason to apply the fix in the first post as long as you update the rest of the recommended packages. I've unpinned the 3 offending packages and let them update along with the rest of them, and my network is working fine.

[martin167]

Thank you! Had the same problem.

[tobiz]

Got the same issue(?). Last update was to libnl-3-200:amd64 3.2.21-1ubuntu1 which is probable cause? So replace by libnl-3-200_3.2.21-1_amd64.deb fixes problem?

If I open libnl-3-200_3.2.21-1_amd64.deb (which I've found on internet) using Ubuntu SW Center it says "Later version is already installed". If I install libnl-3-200_3.2.21-1_amd64.deb using dpkg (may have to 'force' install, not sure) then this will install a previous version, which I assume does not have the problem. (note am backing up ~ at moment as changes at this sort of level can be disastrous!)

[TrueNorthist]

I hope you don't mind helping a fella out a bit more with your fix bswarm2. I forgot that I had checked "proposed" some time ago and now my 14.04 install is also suffering as a result of today's update. I downloaded the files you listed and saved them on a thumbdrive, but I have never regressed nor removed a previous update before and I am reluctant to charge in without a clue. I have synaptic installed and am also familiar with the terminal. I tried fiddling with synaptic and found the three libnl-route- etc, but if I select each for removal it lists kernels and a whole bunch of other stuff so I backed away in fear of my life.

Is there a way to use synaptic to remove/reinstall the libraries in question? If terminal is the only way, I take it I first enter:

sudo apt-get remove "filename".deb

For all three files, then how would I install the saved libraries from a thumbdrive? Sorry, but this is new to me and I am very reluctant to dig the hole deeper.

Cheers!.

edit: oh right, brain cell just woke up... I can put the files on my desktop and then cd to Desktop. Then all I have to do is:

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

For each file, right? After removing them first?

[tobiz]

I've not tried this but put all 3 files in a folder, cd to that folder then run: sudo dpkg --force-all -i *.deb this will "force" install the 3 .deb files in the folder, you don't have to do this for each file "*.deb" means: do this for all files with the .deb extension. You have to do "sudo" as you need root privilege.

I would not used synaptic as this will remove a whole bunch of other files which if things then go wrong leave you in a worse position, ie still no network and even more files needed to be installed! The command line is your friend at these times.

[bswarm2]

Don't use synaptic to remove or roll back the packages, it will try to remove many files along with it or pop up with broken dependencies.
Steps to fix...
1- Download the 3 files on another computer.
2- Copy them to a flashdrive.
3- Put the flashdrive in to the affected computer.
4- Copy the 3 files into a new folder.
5- Open a terminal in that folder and run

sudo dpkg -i *.deb

It will install those packages and networking should come back after restarting.
If anyone knows a better way please speak up. I'm no expert at this, it took hours to figure this out. This update took down 2 computers.
Note this is for amd64 only, if you need the i386 then use those instead.

[TrueNorthist]

Thanks tobiz, that makes sense. I am also making a fresh backup, then see how that might work. I also got the "newer version" out of software centre, and have been seeing if synaptic can do this.

edit: gotcha bswarm2. Thanks for doing the legwork. Glad I waited too...

edit x 2: Then I am thinking it would be very wise to ensure "proposed" is unchecked before it tries to update again.

[Marochkanych_Artem]

Thanks a lot!!! You saved my time.

[TrueNorthist]

Done like dinner. I had a few probs opening terminal inside the folder (No rt click option, yet) but I wandered in there eventually. Cheers again bswarm2. Saved the day pal.

[angelos-ks]

I had the same problem too and solved it by installing a previous version of the three libnl packages