How to fix tlp and power-profiles-daemon are in conflict on Arch Linux

Josh Sherman
2 min read
Linux Arch Linux

I’ve been attempting to move to a more regimented weekly to every other week update of my Arch Linux systems. In doing so, I’ve stopped blocking Kernel updates and rebooting a bit more frequently. Of course, due to the nature of Arch Linux, less frequent updates means more packages to update, and more opportunities for some new error to pop up.

This week’s error has to do with two packages being in conflict, tlp and power-profile-daemon and looks something like this:

% yay -Syu
:: Synchronizing package databases...
 core is up to date
 extra is up to date
 community is up to date
:: Starting full system upgrade...
:: Replace hwids with core/hwdata? [Y/n] Y
resolving dependencies...
looking for conflicting packages...
error: unresolvable package conflicts detected
error: failed to prepare transaction (conflicting dependencies)
:: tlp and power-profiles-daemon are in conflict
 -> error installing repo packages

Fortunately, the issue isn’t very hard to resolve, but it does require you to make a choice as to which package you uninstall.

For me, the choice was simple, I don’t actively use tlp but I do actively use the GNOME Power Settings, primarily via the top bar menu that allows me to quickly switch modes. I tend to just stay in Power Saver mode when I am not hooked up to a power source, and Balanced when I am. On rare occasions I’ll switch over to Performance if I’m really trying to maximize a script’s throughput.

Keep in mind, this may not be the right call for you. If you use tlp and not the GNOME Power Settings, you may as well uninstall that and keep tlp in the mix.

To remove the tlp package in Arch Linux, you can run:

% yay -Rsn tlp

Obviously, if you’re using a different Arch User Repository wrapper, or just stick to pacman, adjust accordingly.

Upon removing one of the two conflicting packages, you are free to run your upgrade / upgrade without issue!

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