How to Fix Snap Store Refresh Issues on Ubuntu 24.04

If you’ve recently switched to Ubuntu or another Snap-supporting Linux distribution, you might encounter an error when trying to update the Snap Store application.

This seemingly simple task can become frustrating when you see the dreaded message: “snap ‘snap-store’ has running apps.” In this guide, I’ll walk you through why this happens and how to resolve it properly, drawing from my own experiences as a Linux system administrator.

As someone who’s managed dozens of Ubuntu workstations across development teams, I’ve encountered this issue more times than I can count. What makes it particularly annoying is that it’s not immediately obvious to new Linux users how to resolve it. Let’s dive into the solution and the reasoning behind it.

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Understanding the Problem

Before we jump into solutions, let’s understand what’s happening behind the scenes. The error message you’re seeing looks something like this:

$ sudo snap refresh snap-store 
error: cannot refresh "snap-store": snap "snap-store" has running apps
       (ubuntu-software)

This occurs because Snap packages cannot be updated while they’re running. It’s a safety mechanism to prevent updates from corrupting active applications. The Snap Store (sometimes labeled as “Ubuntu Software”) is running in the background, even if you don’t see it open on your desktop.

Read: How to install Snap pack support on Linux

Step-by-Step Solution

Method 1: Identify and Kill the Process

This is the most reliable approach I’ve found after years of working with Ubuntu systems:

1. Identify the running Snap Store process:

   ps -e | grep snap-store
   

   This command lists all running processes and filters for “snap-store”. You’ll see something like:

   1234 ? 00:00:42 snap-store
   

   The number at the beginning (1234 in this example) is the process ID (PID).

2. Terminate the process:

   kill 1234
   

   Replace “1234” with the actual PID you found in the previous step.
3. Refresh the Snap Store:

   sudo snap refresh
   

   This will update all your snap packages, including the snap-store.

Read: How to Kill Processes in Linux: Beginner-Friendly Guide to Command Line Termination

Method 2: Using killall (Simpler Approach)

If you prefer a more straightforward method:

1. Terminate all snap-store processes at once:

   killall snap-store
   

2. Refresh the Snap Store:

   sudo snap refresh snap-store
   

This method is what I typically use in my day-to-day work because it’s quicker and requires less typing.

Why This Solution Works

When you kill the snap-store process, you’re essentially closing the application completely, including any background processes that might not be visible. This allows the Snap package manager to safely update the application without risking data corruption.

I remember struggling with this issue during a system-wide update for a development team. The automated update scripts kept failing because of this exact error. After implementing a pre-update check that killed any running snap-store processes, the updates began running smoothly.

Preventing Future Issues

To avoid encountering this problem repeatedly, consider these best practices:

1. Close the Software Center completely before running system updates
2. Schedule updates during off-hours when applications are less likely to be running
3. Use the terminal for updates rather than the graphical interface when possible

Verification

After running the refresh command, you can verify that the update was successful by:

1. Checking the version:

   snap list snap-store
   

2. Opening the Software Center – it should now show the updated version

Common Pitfalls

In my experience helping team members with this issue, I’ve noticed a few common mistakes:

• Assuming the Software Center is closed when it’s actually running in the background
• Not using sudo when running the refresh command (though killall can often be run without sudo)
• Trying to refresh individual snaps instead of running a complete refresh

I once spent an hour troubleshooting a seemingly unrelated issue on a developer’s machine, only to discover that an outdated snap-store was causing conflicts with other packages. A simple refresh after killing the process resolved multiple issues at once.

Understanding Snap Background Processes

One thing that confused me when I first started working with Ubuntu was how Snap manages background processes. Unlike traditional package managers, Snap maintains a more complex relationship with running applications.

The Snap Store often runs background processes to check for updates and manage package listings. This is why you might encounter the “has running apps” error even when you don’t see the Software Center open on your desktop.

FAQ

Why does the Snap Store keep running in the background?

The Snap Store runs background processes to monitor for updates and maintain the package database. This helps provide a seamless update experience but can sometimes interfere with manual refresh attempts.

Will killing the snap-store process cause any data loss?

No, killing the snap-store process is safe and won’t cause data loss. The application is designed to restart cleanly when needed.

Why doesn’t Ubuntu automatically handle this conflict?

While Ubuntu’s update system tries to manage these conflicts, there are scenarios where user intervention is necessary. Future versions of Ubuntu may improve this process.

How often should I refresh the Snap Store?

The Snap Store should update automatically in most cases. Manual refreshes are typically only necessary when you encounter the specific error mentioned in this article.

Can I disable the Snap Store from running in the background?

While possible, it’s not recommended as it may affect the system’s ability to notify you about important updates. Instead, manage the process as needed using the methods described above.

Conclusion

The “snap ‘snap-store’ has running apps” error is a common but easily solvable issue in Ubuntu and other Snap-supporting distributions. By understanding the underlying cause and following the simple steps outlined in this guide, you can keep your system up-to-date without frustration.

Remember, the key is to ensure the Snap Store isn’t running before attempting to update it. While this might seem like an extra step, it’s a small price to pay for the convenience and security that the Snap package system provides.

If you’re new to Ubuntu, don’t let small hurdles like this discourage you. The more you work with the system, the more intuitive these processes will become. 

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