Calibre Won't Install On New Laptop

Solo1959 · 05-05-2025, 01:03 AM

I just installed OpenSuse 15.6 on my new laptop. I am having trouble installing Calibre. Can you suggest a fix?

solo1959@localhost:~> sudo -v && wget -nv -O- https://download.calibre-ebook.com/linux-installer.sh | sudo sh /dev/stdin
Using python executable: /usr/bin/python3
2025-05-05 00:59:42 URL:https://download.calibre-ebook.com/linux-installer.sh [35050/35050] -> "-" [1]
Your system has too old a version of the FreeType library. freetype >= 2.11 is needed for the FT_Get_Color_Glyph_Paint function which is required by Qt WebEngine
solo1959@localhost:~>

Hellmark · 05-10-2025, 03:02 AM

So, it looks like openSUSE labels newer versions of Freetype as freetype2, to distinguish the original freetype from the total rewrite that happened for 2.0. This may be part of the issue.

Is there any reason why you're going with the build via the installer script instead of the packages made for your distro? openSUSE has pretty up to date packages of Calibre, with 8.4.0 being the current one (which is the latest release anyway)

PeterT · 05-10-2025, 10:22 AM

The standard issue with distribution repositories is that the packager makes decisions (often based on the philosophy of the distribution) to make changes to components packaged with calibre which quite often break calibre.

Sent from my Pixel 7a using Tapatalk

JSWolf · 05-10-2025, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hellmark

So, it looks like openSUSE labels newer versions of Freetype as freetype2, to distinguish the original freetype from the total rewrite that happened for 2.0. This may be part of the issue.

Is there any reason why you're going with the build via the installer script instead of the packages made for your distro? openSUSE has pretty up to date packages of Calibre, with 8.4.0 being the current one (which is the latest release anyway)

Never ever install calibre from any repository. They usually fail. Install from the calibre site.

kovidgoyal · 05-10-2025, 11:08 PM

The error message is quite clear you need a newer freetype. Opensuse leap uses freetype 2.10.6, calibre requires 2.11. So update opensuse or install and older version of calibre on it.

Solo1959 · 05-11-2025, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hellmark

So, it looks like openSUSE labels newer versions of Freetype as freetype2, to distinguish the original freetype from the total rewrite that happened for 2.0. This may be part of the issue.

Is there any reason why you're going with the build via the installer script instead of the packages made for your distro? openSUSE has pretty up to date packages of Calibre, with 8.4.0 being the current one (which is the latest release anyway)

So many posts here in this forum warn against using the distribution version of Calibre and strongly suggest installing it directly. I chose to try the flatpak and, well, it works!

Solo1959 · 05-11-2025, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

The error message is quite clear you need a newer freetype. Opensuse leap uses freetype 2.10.6, calibre requires 2.11. So update opensuse or install and older version of calibre on it.

Thank you Kovid. Unfortunately I'm not savvy enough to update freetype. I get messages that the one I have installed is the latest. I have gone with the flatpak which seems to be working. Thank you again for your help.

05-05-2025, 01:03 AM	#1
Solo1959 Connoisseur Posts: 73 Karma: 20000 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Florida Device: Kindle Oasis 2, Kindle Voyage, Kindle 5th gen, and many in the past	Calibre Won't Install On New Laptop I just installed OpenSuse 15.6 on my new laptop. I am having trouble installing Calibre. Can you suggest a fix? solo1959@localhost:~> sudo -v && wget -nv -O- https://download.calibre-ebook.com/linux-installer.sh \| sudo sh /dev/stdin Using python executable: /usr/bin/python3 2025-05-05 00:59:42 URL:https://download.calibre-ebook.com/linux-installer.sh [35050/35050] -> "-" [1] Your system has too old a version of the FreeType library. freetype >= 2.11 is needed for the FT_Get_Color_Glyph_Paint function which is required by Qt WebEngine solo1959@localhost:~>

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05-10-2025, 03:02 AM	#2
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,592 Karma: 4290425 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Foristell, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3, Kobo Libra 2	So, it looks like openSUSE labels newer versions of Freetype as freetype2, to distinguish the original freetype from the total rewrite that happened for 2.0. This may be part of the issue. Is there any reason why you're going with the build via the installer script instead of the packages made for your distro? openSUSE has pretty up to date packages of Calibre, with 8.4.0 being the current one (which is the latest release anyway)

05-10-2025, 10:22 AM	#3
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,522 Karma: 78910202 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	The standard issue with distribution repositories is that the packager makes decisions (often based on the philosophy of the distribution) to make changes to components packaged with calibre which quite often break calibre. Sent from my Pixel 7a using Tapatalk

05-10-2025, 11:08 PM	#5
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,355 Karma: 27182818 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	The error message is quite clear you need a newer freetype. Opensuse leap uses freetype 2.10.6, calibre requires 2.11. So update opensuse or install and older version of calibre on it.