---
title: "Ubuntu apt-get update error: 'Problem with MergeList'"
slug: "internal-ubuntu-apt-get-update-error-problem-with-mergelist"
description: "'E: Problem with MergeList' blocks apt-get update on a NavVis VLX or a processing machine. Fix: sudo rm /var/lib/apt/lists/* then sudo apt-get update. Also reported as 'package lists or status file could not be parsed'."
tags: ["Error message", "NavVis IVION Processing", "Ubuntu"]
updated: 2025-12-02T13:58:12Z
published: 2025-12-02T13:58:12Z
canonical: "knowledge.navvis.com/internal-ubuntu-apt-get-update-error-problem-with-mergelist"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://knowledge.navvis.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Ubuntu apt-get update error: 'Problem with MergeList'

### Problem description

During an update session on Ubuntu, both on a device or processing machines, you might encounter:

```plaintext
E: Problem with MergeList /var/lib/apt/lists/repo.navvis.com_dists_trusty_main_binary-i386_Packages

E: The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.
```

This prevents any updates or upgrades.

### Scope

This problem can occur when updating NavVis VLX or processing software.

## Troubleshooting procedure

1. Run the following command to clear broken temporary files from the last update.

```plaintext
sudo rm /var/lib/apt/lists/*
```
2. Then refresh the list and continue normal updates/installation.

```plaintext
sudo apt-get update
```