dpkg error dpkg status database is locked by another process

Question

While trying to install puppet server on ubuntu 18.04, i get the following error:

How do i resolve this??

Answer 1

First run:

lsof /var/lib/dpkg/lock

Then make sure that process isn't running:

ps cax | grep PID

If it is running:

kill PID
#wait
kill -9 PID

Make sure process is done:

ps cax | grep PID

Then remove the lock file:

sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/lock

Run an update:

sudo apt-get update

Let dpkg fix itself:

sudo dpkg --configure -a

You should be fine afterwards :)