AppImages require FUSE to run.

If you’re using an AppImage on Ubuntu and you encounter the error message:

dlopen(): error loading libfuse.so.2

you’re not alone. This error typically arises because AppImages require the FUSE (Filesystem in Userspace) library to function correctly. Fortunately, fixing this issue is straightforward, and I’ll guide you through the process step by step.

What is FUSE?

FUSE stands for Filesystem in Userspace. It’s a kernel module that allows non-privileged users to create their own file systems without modifying the kernel code. Many AppImages use FUSE to mount the application bundle as if it were a real filesystem. Without FUSE, the AppImage cannot run.

How to Install FUSE

The installation steps for FUSE depend on your version of Ubuntu. Here’s how you can resolve the issue:

For Ubuntu < 22.04

1. Open Terminal: You can open the terminal by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.
2. Update Your Package List: It’s always a good idea to update your package list to ensure you’re installing the latest versions. sudo apt-get update
3. Install FUSE and libfuse2: Run the following command to install the necessary libraries. sudo apt-get install fuse libfuse2
4. Retry Running Your AppImage: After installing FUSE, try running your AppImage again. ./your-appimage.AppImage

For Ubuntu >= 22.04

1. Open Terminal: Open your terminal window.
2. Update Your Package List:bashCopy codesudo apt update
3. Install libfuse2: For newer versions of Ubuntu, you need only libfuse2 since FUSE itself is integrated.bashCopy codesudo apt install libfuse2
4. Retry Running Your AppImage:bashCopy code./your-appimage.AppImage

Alternative: Extracting the AppImage

If, for some reason, installing FUSE is not an option, you can still extract the contents of the AppImage using the --appimage-extract option. This allows you to access the contents without running the AppImage directly.

1. Open Terminal.
2. Run the Extraction Command:./your-appimage.AppImage --appimage-extract This will create a directory named squashfs-root containing the extracted files.
3. Navigate to the Extracted Directory:bashCopy codecd squashfs-root
4. Run the Application: Look for an executable file in the directory to run the application manually.

Additional Resources

For more information on troubleshooting FUSE issues with AppImages, you can visit the AppImage documentation.

Dealing with the “dlopen(): error loading libfuse.so.2” error is a common issue for users running AppImages on Ubuntu, but it’s easily fixed by installing the required FUSE libraries. Follow the steps above based on your Ubuntu version, and you should be up and running in no time.

Feel free to drop any questions or issues in the comments below!