Ubuntu Linux features an automated crash reporting system named “Apport.” Whenever a background application, a tiny widget, or a system daemon crashes, Apport detects the failure and immediately throws a pop-up window onto your screen declaring: “System program problem detected. Do you want to report the problem now?”
The problem is that Linux is a complex ecosystem. Tiny, irrelevant background services (like a printer spooler you aren’t even using) frequently crash and instantly restart themselves without affecting your workflow. Apport, however, insists on interrupting you every single time. To stop these annoying and useless pop-ups, you must completely disable the Apport crash reporter.
How to Completely Block Ubuntu Internal Error Popups
You must edit the core Apport configuration file in the terminal to permanently turn it off.
- Open your Terminal application (Ctrl + Alt + T).
- We will edit the configuration file using the nano text editor. Type the following command and press Enter:
sudo nano /etc/default/apport - Type your administrator password when prompted.
- The terminal will display a very small file. Look for the very last line, which will read:
enabled=1 - Use your arrow keys to move the cursor, delete the
1, and replace it with a0. The line must now read exactly:enabled=0 - Press Ctrl + O to save the file, press Enter to confirm, and then press Ctrl + X to exit the nano editor.
- To apply the change immediately without rebooting your computer, type this final command and press Enter:
sudo systemctl stop apport.service
The Apport crash reporting daemon is now permanently disabled. Minor background glitches will still happen, and the system will still quietly recover from them, but you will never be interrupted by the “System program problem detected” pop-up ever again.