How to fix dpkg: regarding filename.deb containing package-name: package-name breaks package-name2 in APT

APTINTERMEDIATEHIGHUpdated Dec 29, 2025· 171 views

This error occurs when trying to install a package that declares it is incompatible with an already-installed package. The 'Breaks' declaration forces one package to be deconfigured before the other can be unpacked.

Quick fix

Fixes dpkg: regarding filename.deb containing package-name: package-name breaks package-name2

sudo apt remove package-name
sudo apt install package-name2
  1. Check which packages are causing the conflict
  2. Reconfigure partially installed packages
  3. Review the breaking package declaration
  4. Use aptitude for intelligent conflict resolution
apt — error
sudo apt remove package-name
sudo apt install package-name2
dpkg: regarding filename.deb containing package-name: package-name breaks package-name2

What this error means

The 'Breaks' field in Debian packages is a dependency relationship that indicates one package is incompatible with certain versions of another package. When dpkg encounters a 'Breaks' declaration, it refuses to install the breaking package unless the broken package is first deconfigured. This is a designed safety mechanism to prevent installing incompatible software combinations that would cause system instability or malfunction.

Typical symptoms

  • Package installation fails with 'breaks' error message during apt install or dpkg operations
  • System shows 'Unable to correct problems, you have held broken packages' error
  • Specific packages cannot be updated or installed together
  • Dependency resolution fails when attempting to install multiple packages

Common causes

  1. Two packages with incompatible versions are being installed simultaneously
  2. A newer package version conflicts with an older version of another package already installed
  3. Mixing packages from different repositories that have unmet dependencies
  4. Attempting to downgrade a package without removing dependent packages first
  5. Installing third-party packages that declare breaks with official repository packages

How to fix "dpkg: regarding filename.deb containing package-name: package-name breaks package-name2"

1Check which packages are causing the conflict

Run sudo apt install -f or sudo apt-get --fix-broken install to let apt attempt automatic resolution of broken dependencies.

2Reconfigure partially installed packages

Execute sudo dpkg --configure -a to process any packages that are unpacked but not yet configured. This often resolves conflicts.

3Review the breaking package declaration

Check which package declares the break and which package it breaks. The error message shows the conflicting packages. You may need to remove one package first:

bash
sudo apt remove package-name
sudo apt install package-name2
4Use aptitude for intelligent conflict resolution

Aptitude is more adept at resolving complex dependency conflicts than apt-get:

bash
sudo apt install aptitude
sudo aptitude install package-name

Aptitude will interactively suggest solutions for conflicts.

5Force dependency fixes as a last resort

If standard methods fail, you can force install with --force-overwrite (use with caution):

bash
sudo apt-get -o Dpkg::Options::="--force-overwrite" install package-name

This should only be used when you understand the consequences.

Advanced notes

The Breaks field is part of Debian's package dependency system. It differs from Conflicts in that Breaks allows both packages to be unpacked simultaneously but prevents one from being configured while the other is unpacked. This is the preferred mechanism for version-specific incompatibilities. When an upstream project fixes compatibility issues, newer package versions may resolve the breaks declaration. Always review what's being broken before forcing installations, as ignoring breaks can lead to system instability. For PPAs and third-party repositories, breaks conflicts are more common due to version mismatches with official packages.

Frequently asked questions

What does "dpkg: regarding filename.deb containing package-name: package-name bre" mean?
The 'Breaks' field in Debian packages is a dependency relationship that indicates one package is incompatible with certain versions of another package. When dpkg encounters a 'Breaks' declaration, it refuses to install the breaking package unless the broken package is first deconfigured. This is a designed safety mechanism to prevent installing incompatible software combinations that would cause system instability or malfunction.
How do I fix "dpkg: regarding filename.deb containing package-name: package-name bre"?
This error occurs when trying to install a package that declares it is incompatible with an already-installed package. The 'Breaks' declaration forces one package to be deconfigured before the other can be unpacked.
What causes "dpkg: regarding filename.deb containing package-name: package-name bre"?
Two packages with incompatible versions are being installed simultaneously A newer package version conflicts with an older version of another package already installed Mixing packages from different repositories that have unmet dependencies
Is the "dpkg: regarding filename.deb containing package-name: package-name bre" error serious?
Yes. This is a high-severity error that usually blocks work until it is fixed, but the steps above resolve it.

Official resources & further reading