These are the issues happening really frequently on Software Center:
) endless loading
) slow loading
) blank Installed section
) missing search results
) Sorry, something went wrong:
The name :(different numbers) was not provided by any .service files
) endless Downloading change information... on any update on Updates section
) unexpected closure
) There are no details for this application. after clicking Show details on right-click menu on a game/software on Zorin Menu
) about 30 seconds (online or offline doesn't matter) to load a game/software page after clicking Show details on right-click menu on a game/software on Zorin Menu
) Unable to install (software name): you do not have permissions to install software
These are their workarounds or fixes:
) and 2. ): Choose one
gnome-software refresh
killall gnome-software
sudo apt install --reinstall gnome-software
) Choose one
killall gnome-software
rm -rf ~/.cache/gnome-software
now
sudo apt install --reinstall gnome-software
Reboot the pc
), 5. ), 6. ) and 7. ) Choose one
killall gnome-software
rm -rf ~/.cache/gnome-software
sudo apt install --reinstall fwupd gnome-software
) Settings > Applications > click the software you want to open in Software Center > Open in Software Center (it's on title bar)
) and 10. )
killall gnome-software
sudo apt install --reinstall policykit-1-gnome ca-certificates gnome-software
restart Software Center
If you want you can try Synaptic Package Manager, maybe you'll prefer it. To have a short preview for its usage, you can check carmar's post below
Please report here any new one you may experience so I add it with its possible fixes or even suggest new possible fixes/workarounds.
Thanks to Aravisian for completing and verifying the post before its release.
#8, I did as you suggested for the browser SRWare Iron (installed by downloading the .deb file from their website), Software Center instead brought up 'hello-ironhaven'.
Is there any way to add software obtained elsewhere to Software Center? I've contacted the SRWare Iron authors about adding it to Software Center, but I'm not sure how to go about doing that.
SRWare Iron I've used on both Windows and now on Zorin OS... same browser, same extensions, same everything. It's basically Google Chrome with all the Google corporate spyware neutered. It goes a long way toward solidifying the decision to move away from Windows.
By what I know, usually users can't add software to the Software Center unless they create and publish them as other developers did, if it would be possible to add external softwares into Software Center simply clicking a button probably now it would be a huge mess. I know that you can click Open on Software Center (I mean, on Settings > Applications > the app name > Open on Software Center on title bar) even on those that you didn't installed from it but I don't know why there's that button if then the mentioned app doesn't even come from Software Center. For me, that button should be hidden.
Software Store shows only what is contained in the Main Ubuntu Universe repository.
It does not show packages that you have even installed other repositories for. Software Store is limited only to and exclusively to Ubuntu and Zorin Packages.
If you want you can try Synaptic Package Manager, maybe you'll prefer it. To have a short preview for its usage, you can check carmar's post below
Been using it for years and can't recall ever having a problem with it.