Unable to check for updates and Unable to retrieve package information

[tuser11]

I'm unable to check for updates or retrieve package information on a SG-3100 we are trying to restore to. The box had a older version of pfSense on it. I don't remember what version. I just know it wasn't older than ~18 months and it had default config. I first used the GUI to upgrade to latest, no problem. Then i tried to restore from backup config. After restore there were errors about packages not being available. So i just did another factory default. After doing another factory default, i noticed i was Unable to check for updates and Unable to retrieve package information. I can reach internet from firewall no problem. Just can't get packages or check for updates.

Tried some of the relevant steps from the following without progress:
https://forum.netgate.com/topic/182635/unable-to-check-for-updates/5
https://forum.netgate.com/topic/177914/netgate-6100-23-01-rc-to-23-01-repository-problem/4?_=1680806989605

I can confirm it's something jacked up with the software and not a remote issue. I have access to another SG-3100 on 23.05.1 that has no problems checking for updates or building package list. I don't get how whatever is wrong can't be resolve by factory resetting the device.

/var/log/system.log error:
pfSense php-fpm[95439]: /pkg_mgr.php: The command '/usr/local/sbin/pfSense-repo-setup' returned exit code '11', the output was 'pkg-static: sqlite error while executing PRAGMA user_version; in file pkgdb.c:2370: database disk image is malformed pfSense-repoc-static: si_get_packages: failed to run the pkg info command: /usr/local/sbin/pkg-static info -R --raw-format json-compact pfSense-pkg-* pfSense-repoc-static: no pfSense packages installed Messages: Your Netgate device has pfSense+ as part of your device purchase.

I'm not sure what caused this but had to do a complete reinstall of pfsense to resolve.

Any ideas?

[stephenw10]

First thing to try is just to resave the selected pkg branch in System > Updates > Update Settings.

Then try running at the command line:
pkg-static -d update
See what errors it returns.

Or open a ticket with us and get 23.05.1 recovery image and just reinstall clean:
https://www.netgate.com/tac-support-request

Steve

[brinkmann]

Also seeing 'unable to check for updates' message in the Version display box. And the Package Manager is not resolving further than 'Please wait...." These issues popped up in the last week.

[stephenw10]

@stephenw10 said in Unable to check for updates and Unable to retrieve package information:

pkg-static -d update

Run that at the command line and note what the error is.

[brinkmann]

Thanks stephenw10, running that command eventually generates a browser 504 Gateway Time-out. (twice)

[brinkmann]

I worked it out. Both my issues are resolved after I reverted Redmine #9889 in Patches.

[stephenw10]

@brinkmann said in Unable to check for updates and Unable to retrieve package information:

Redmine #9889

You had to revert that patch? Not apply it?

You should add a note to that redmine if that;s what was breaking updates.

Steve

[brinkmann]

I had applied it about a week ago. Took me a while to work out that's also when the issues started. Once reverted, issues resolved. I'll add a note. Cheers