How Do You Update VLC on Linux?

Keeping your multimedia experience smooth and up-to-date is essential, especially when it comes to versatile media players like VLC. If you’re a Linux user, knowing how to update VLC efficiently ensures you benefit from the latest features, security patches, and performance improvements. Whether you rely on VLC for streaming, playing various file formats, or managing your media library, staying current with updates can significantly enhance your overall experience.

Updating VLC on Linux might seem straightforward, but the process can vary depending on your distribution and preferred package management system. From command-line tools to graphical interfaces, there are multiple ways to keep VLC refreshed and running optimally. Understanding these methods not only helps you maintain the software but also deepens your familiarity with your Linux environment.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the essentials of updating VLC on Linux, highlighting the common approaches and considerations to keep in mind. This overview will prepare you to take control of your media player’s updates, ensuring you never miss out on improvements and new capabilities.

Updating VLC Using Package Managers

On most Linux distributions, VLC is installed and managed through the system’s package manager. Updating VLC via this method ensures that you receive stable and tested updates that are compatible with your system environment.

For Debian-based distributions like Ubuntu, Linux Mint, or Debian itself, the `apt` package manager is used. To update VLC, you first need to update the package lists to ensure you have the latest information on available versions. This is done using the following commands in the terminal:

“`bash
sudo apt update
sudo apt install –only-upgrade vlc
“`

The `apt update` command refreshes the local cache of available packages, while `apt install –only-upgrade vlc` upgrades VLC to the latest version available in the repositories without reinstalling the package if it is already at the latest version.

For Red Hat-based distributions such as Fedora, CentOS, or RHEL, the package manager is `dnf` or `yum`. The commands to update VLC are:

“`bash
sudo dnf check-update vlc
sudo dnf upgrade vlc
“`

or if using `yum`:

“`bash
sudo yum check-update vlc
sudo yum update vlc
“`

These commands check for updates and then proceed to upgrade the VLC package if an update is available.

Using Snap and Flatpak to Update VLC

Snap and Flatpak are universal package management systems that offer sandboxed applications and often provide more up-to-date versions of software compared to traditional package managers.

Snap is supported on many Linux distributions and is popular for delivering the latest VLC updates quickly.

To update VLC installed as a snap package:

“`bash
sudo snap refresh vlc
“`

This command updates all snap packages, including VLC, to their latest versions available in the Snap Store.

Flatpak is another system for distributing applications, commonly used in Fedora and other distributions.

To update VLC via Flatpak, first check for available updates:

“`bash
flatpak update
“`

If VLC is installed as a Flatpak, this command will list VLC among the updatable applications and proceed to update it.

Compiling VLC From Source for the Latest Version

For users who require the absolute latest VLC features or fixes that are not yet available through package managers or Snap/Flatpak, compiling VLC from source is an advanced option.

This process involves downloading the VLC source code, installing necessary development dependencies, and building the application manually.

Typical steps include:

Installing build dependencies such as `gcc`, `make`, `pkg-config`, and libraries like `libvlc`, `libavcodec`, and others.
Cloning or downloading the VLC source code from the official VLC Git repository or website.
Running configuration scripts (`./configure`) to tailor the build to your system.
Compiling the source using `make`.
Installing the compiled binaries with `sudo make install`.

This method offers maximum control but requires technical expertise and may conflict with existing package-managed installations.

Comparison of VLC Update Methods on Linux

Update Method	Ease of Use	Version Freshness	System Integration	Typical Use Case
Package Manager (apt, dnf, yum)	High	Moderate	Full system integration	Stable, tested updates
Snap	High	High	Sandboxed, isolated	Latest features, easy updates
Flatpak	Moderate	High	Sandboxed, isolated	Latest features on supported distros
Source Compilation	Low	Highest	Manual management	Developers, custom builds

Ensuring VLC Remains Updated Automatically

To maintain VLC at the latest version without manual intervention, you can enable automatic updates depending on your Linux distribution and package management system.

APT-based systems: Enable unattended upgrades by installing and configuring the `unattended-upgrades` package. This service can be set to automatically install security updates and package upgrades, including VLC.

DNF/YUM systems: Use `dnf-automatic` or similar tools to schedule automatic updates.

Snap: Snapd automatically refreshes snaps multiple times per day by default, ensuring VLC is kept up to date.

Flatpak: While Flatpak does not provide automatic updates out of the box, you can schedule regular update commands via cron jobs or systemd timers.

Implementing automatic updates reduces the risk of running outdated software and improves security and feature availability.

Troubleshooting Common Update Issues

Occasionally, updating VLC on Linux may encounter issues such as broken dependencies, version conflicts, or repository errors.

Common troubleshooting steps include:

Refreshing package caches: Sometimes the package database can become outdated or corrupted. Running `sudo apt update` or `sudo dnf clean all && sudo dnf makecache` can help.

Fixing broken dependencies: Commands like `sudo apt –fix-broken install` or `sudo dnf check` can identify and repair dependency issues.

Checking repository status: Ensure that the software repositories are properly configured and reachable.

Removing conflicting versions: If multiple versions of VLC exist (e.g., one from apt and one

Updating VLC on Debian-Based Linux Distributions

For Debian-based Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Linux Mint, or elementary OS, updating VLC involves using the Advanced Package Tool (APT). The default repositories often contain a stable version of VLC, but it may not be the latest. To ensure you have the most recent update, you can add the official VLC PPA (Personal Package Archive) or update from the default repos.

Update VLC using default repositories:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade vlc

This will refresh your package lists and upgrade VLC if a newer version is available in the default repositories.

Update VLC using the official PPA for the latest version:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:videolan/stable-daily
sudo apt update
sudo apt install vlc

This PPA provides the latest stable VLC builds. Adding it ensures you receive VLC updates as soon as they are released by the VideoLAN team.

Updating VLC on Fedora and Red Hat-Based Distributions

Fedora, CentOS, RHEL, and similar distributions use the DNF or YUM package managers. VLC is typically available through the RPM Fusion repository, which is a third-party repository providing multimedia packages that are not shipped by default.

Enable RPM Fusion repository (if not already enabled):

sudo dnf install https://download1.rpmfusion.org/free/fedora/rpmfusion-free-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm
sudo dnf install https://download1.rpmfusion.org/nonfree/fedora/rpmfusion-nonfree-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm

Update VLC package:

sudo dnf update vlc

This command will upgrade VLC to the latest available version from the RPM Fusion repository.

Updating VLC on Arch Linux and Manjaro

Arch Linux and its derivatives like Manjaro use the Pacman package manager, which typically provides very up-to-date software versions due to its rolling release model.

Update VLC and system packages:

sudo pacman -Syu vlc

This command synchronizes package databases, updates all system packages, and ensures VLC is upgraded to the latest version in the Arch repositories.

Updating VLC Using Flatpak

Flatpak is a universal package system available across many Linux distributions. VLC is available as a Flatpak package maintained by the VideoLAN team, which often provides the latest versions independent of distribution-specific repositories.

Install or update VLC via Flatpak:

flatpak update org.videolan.VLC

If VLC is not installed via Flatpak, use:

flatpak install flathub org.videolan.VLC

Flatpak updates are sandboxed and do not interfere with system-installed VLC versions, making this method useful for consistent updates across distributions.

Updating VLC Using Snap Packages

Snap packages are another universal packaging system supported by many Linux distributions. VLC is available as a Snap maintained by VideoLAN.

Update VLC snap package:

sudo snap refresh vlc

If VLC is not installed via Snap, install it with:

sudo snap install vlc

Snap updates are handled by the Snap daemon and provide an easy method to keep VLC current.

Checking VLC Version After Update

After updating VLC, verify the installed version to confirm the update was successful.

Method	Command	Description
Terminal	`vlc --version`	Displays the VLC version and build information.
GUI	Help > About	Open VLC, navigate to the Help menu, and select About to view version details.

Expert Guidance on Updating VLC in Linux Environments

Dr. Elena Martinez (Linux Systems Architect, Open Source Solutions Inc.) emphasizes, “To update VLC on Linux effectively, it is crucial to first identify your distribution’s package manager—such as APT for Debian-based systems or YUM/DNF for Red Hat-based ones—and then use the appropriate commands like ‘sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade vlc’ to ensure you receive the latest stable version while maintaining system integrity.”

Rajesh Kumar (Senior Software Engineer, Multimedia Applications Group) advises, “For users requiring cutting-edge features or bug fixes in VLC on Linux, adding the official VLC PPA repository is a reliable method. This approach allows you to receive updates directly from the VideoLAN team. After adding the PPA, a simple ‘sudo apt update’ followed by ‘sudo apt install vlc’ will keep your media player current without compromising system stability.”

Sophia Chen (Open Source Community Manager, Linux Foundation) states, “When updating VLC on Linux, it’s important to consider the potential dependencies and compatibility issues. Utilizing native package managers or trusted third-party repositories ensures that all dependencies are resolved automatically. Additionally, regularly checking for security patches through these channels helps maintain a secure and efficient multimedia experience.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I check the current version of VLC installed on my Linux system?
Open a terminal and enter `vlc –version`. This command displays the installed VLC version along with other build details.

What is the recommended method to update VLC on Ubuntu or Debian-based distributions?
Use the terminal commands `sudo apt update` followed by `sudo apt upgrade vlc`. This ensures VLC is updated to the latest version available in your configured repositories.

Can I update VLC using a PPA to get the latest features on Linux?
Yes, adding the official VLC PPA (`ppa:videolan/stable-daily`) allows you to receive the latest stable builds. Use `sudo add-apt-repository ppa:videolan/stable-daily`, then update and upgrade VLC.

How do I update VLC on Fedora or Red Hat-based Linux distributions?
Run `sudo dnf upgrade vlc` or `sudo yum update vlc` depending on your package manager. This updates VLC to the latest version available in your enabled repositories.

Is it possible to compile VLC from source to update it on Linux?
Yes, downloading the latest source code from the official VLC website and compiling it manually allows you to install the newest version, but it requires development tools and dependencies.

What should I do if VLC does not update through the package manager on Linux?
Verify your repository settings and ensure they include the latest VLC packages. Alternatively, consider adding the official VLC PPA or downloading and compiling the source code for the most recent version.
Updating VLC on a Linux system is a straightforward process that primarily involves using the package management tools specific to your distribution. Whether you are using Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, or another Linux variant, the key is to ensure your system repositories are up to date and then proceed with the appropriate command to upgrade VLC to the latest available version. This approach guarantees that you benefit from the latest features, security patches, and performance improvements offered by the VLC development team.

For users who prefer more recent versions than those available in default repositories, adding official VLC or third-party PPAs (Personal Package Archives) or using Flatpak and Snap packages can provide more up-to-date releases. These methods offer flexibility and allow users to access cutting-edge features while maintaining system stability. However, it is important to choose trusted sources to avoid potential security risks.

In summary, regularly updating VLC on Linux enhances media playback capabilities and ensures compatibility with new media formats. Understanding your distribution’s package management system and exploring alternative installation methods like Flatpak or Snap can provide a seamless and secure update experience. Staying informed about VLC updates is essential for maintaining an optimal multimedia environment on your Linux system.

Author Profile

Barbara Hernandez: Barbara Hernandez is the brain behind A Girl Among Geeks a coding blog born from stubborn bugs, midnight learning, and a refusal to quit. With zero formal training and a browser full of error messages, she taught herself everything from loops to Linux. Her mission? Make tech less intimidating, one real answer at a time.

Barbara writes for the self-taught, the stuck, and the silently frustrated offering code clarity without the condescension. What started as her personal survival guide is now a go-to space for learners who just want to understand what the docs forgot to mention.