Linux dependency Q?

[Bob Mariotti]

Good morning,

Currently running the latest Linux Mint 22.3 and lately when I try to
install some new programs via dpkg I'm seeing the following dependency
errors:

> dpkg: warning: files list file for package 'libcrypt1:amd64' missing;
> assuming package has no files currently installed
> dpkg: warning: files list file for package 'meld' missing; assuming
> package has no files currently installed
> dpkg: warning: files list file for package 'libcrypt-dev:amd64'
> missing; assuming package has no files currently installed
I know some of these are installed because I use them and I've tried
various methods to install these again but all fail saying they're all
at the current version.

An idea why or how I can overcome these errors because its preventing
the installation of other programs?

Also, any pointers on how to install node.js into the same distro?

Thanks,

Bob

[Rudy S]

1. Make sure dpkg isn’t stuck mid-install

Run:

sudo dpkg --configure -a

Then:

sudo apt --fix-broken install

---

2. Rebuild missing .list files by reinstalling packages

Even though apt says they’re installed, we force reinstall:

sudo apt install --reinstall libcrypt1 libcrypt-dev meld

This is the simplest fix and works in many cases.

---

3. If reinstall does NOT recreate the missing list files

Then manually remove the broken dpkg info entries and reinstall.

Example for libcrypt1:

First check:

ls /var/lib/dpkg/info/libcrypt1*

If the .list file is missing but others remain, do:

sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/info/libcrypt1.*
sudo apt install --reinstall libcrypt1

Repeat for meld:

sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/info/meld.*
sudo apt install --reinstall meld

⚠️ Don’t worry — you are not deleting the actual program, only dpkg’s metadata.

---

4. Rebuild the entire dpkg database (if many packages affected)

If you start seeing this for lots of packages, do:

sudo apt clean
sudo apt update
sudo apt --fix-broken install
sudo dpkg --configure -a

Then rebuild package state:

sudo apt install -f

---

5. Check if your disk or filesystem has issues

This warning often happens after disk problems.

Check disk space:

df -h

Check for filesystem errors (recommended):

sudo dmesg | grep -i ext4

Or:

sudo dmesg | grep -i error

If errors appear, you may need an fsck from recovery mode.

---

6. Last Resort: Recover dpkg info from backup

Mint keeps archives here:

/var/backups/dpkg.status.*

If the dpkg database is badly damaged, you can restore from backup, but that’s only needed in extreme cases.

---

✅ Most Likely Fix for You

Since it’s only a few packages, do this:

sudo apt install --reinstall libcrypt1 libcrypt-dev meld
sudo apt --fix-broken install
sudo dpkg --configure -a

If that still prints missing .list, then:

[Jack Ostroff]

On 2/4/26 8:49 AM, Bob Mariotti wrote:
> Good morning,
>
> Currently running the latest Linux Mint 22.3 and lately when I try to
> install some new programs via dpkg I'm seeing the following dependency
> errors:
>
>> dpkg: warning: files list file for package 'libcrypt1:amd64' missing;
>> assuming package has no files currently installed
>> dpkg: warning: files list file for package 'meld' missing; assuming
>> package has no files currently installed
>> dpkg: warning: files list file for package 'libcrypt-dev:amd64'
>> missing; assuming package has no files currently installed
> I know some of these are installed because I use them and I've tried
> various methods to install these again but all fail saying they're all
> at the current version.
>
> An idea why or how I can overcome these errors because its pre

First, does dpkg give you any way to list all files installed by a
package?  If that says those packages have installed files, then I'd try
to find out if there is something wrong with one of dpkg's databases.

Next, instead of just trying to re-install, uninstall first and then
install again.  I don't  guarantee that will work, but it might.

Jack