How can I fix E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (2)?

Question

I received this error after trying to download the icedtea plugin. After trying

sudo apt-get upgrade

I got the same exact error:

Preconfiguring packages ...
dpkg: unrecoverable fatal error, aborting:
 unable to open files list file for package `linux-sound-base': No such device or address
E: Sub-process /usr/bin/dpkg returned an error code (2)

I've already tried looking for solutions, but each one seems to be unique to the issue. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Try first:

sudo rm /var/lib/dpkg/available 
sudo touch /var/lib/dpkg/available  
sudo sh -c 'for i in /var/lib/apt/lists/*_Packages; do dpkg --merge-avail "$i"; done'

Dangerous, if previous instruction does not solve the problem...

sudo dpkg --configure -a
sudo apt-get -f install
sudo apt-get clean
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade

Last may cause huge traffic load.

Answer 2

I know this is an old post but I got the same error. I fixed the problem with this command:

sudo dpkg --configure -a

Answer 3

I've Tried this from a German link (attached):

Download and start available.ksh. Then run:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
sudo dpkg --clear-avail
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

(Source)