FAILED: install_add_activate_commit : Super package already added.

[andrewdours]

FAILED: install_add_activate_commit : Super package already added. Add operation not allowed. 'install remove inactive' can be used to discard added packages

So, I was upgrading a switch last evening to 16.12.05b using the following command:

install add file:flash:cat3k_caa-universalk9.16.12.05b.SPA.bin activate commit

The switch ran through the process to the last step which was to reboot.  I inadvertently selected no reboot.  I then attempted the upgrade process again and now I receive this error.  I ended up just installing the upgrade using BUNDLE mode.

I've already run 'install remove inactive' and then attempted another INSTALL mode install and no change.  

What do I need to do to fix this.

Thanks,

Andrew

[william.law]

i have same problem too, but once i erase the version with "install remove inactive", and perform install new version again. It's work fine for me on Catalyst 9200

[mik31]

Weird, I'm having the same issue and when using "install remover inactive" it doesn't change the error message? I'm currently in bundle mode trying to switch to install mode.

[drobles]

This worked for me, too! Before erasing, I used dir flash:*.bin and had the previous version on the flash as well. After running install remove inactive, I copied the file again, ran the dir command, and it only showed the latest version on the flash. 

[Luis Yepes]

Thanks, worked for me in a C9200

[soumyashettychoi]

I am finding the same error, did you get the solution? please share 

[kevinbr453]

Hello, is there a solution?

[HArcher1]

Having the same problem as well, though already in install mode. Trying to upgrade to 17.03.05 from 16.12 but hitting the super package error. Going to escalate with Cisco TAC and will provide any answer I find here. 

Switch current version:

Switch Ports Model              SW Version        SW Image              Mode   

------ ----- -----              ----------        ----------            ----   

*    1 65    C9300-48UXM        16.12.4           CAT9K_IOSXE           INSTALL

Command + error message:
"response": "install_add_activate_commit: START Mon Oct 3 05:51:58 UTC 2022\ninstall_add_activate_commit: Adding PACKAGE\ninstall_add_activate_commit: Checking whether new add is allowed ....\nFAILED: install_add_activate_commit : Super package already added. Add operation not allowed. 'install remove inactive' can be used to discard added packages"

(Writing automation logic to perform upgrade, excuse the JSON response instead of CLI format)

[HArcher1]

I'm back!  
Here's what I found to resolve the issue - it's a little overkill but it's the method that we followed on the TAC call yesterday and it worked. Retried it a handful of times afterwards with nothing but success.

1. Remove the target version file from the flash if you have it copied (annoying yes, but appears necessary to get rid of super package error)

2. Remove boot statement (conf t, no boot system) 

3. Point boot statement to packages.conf (conf t, boot system flash:packages.conf)

4. Remove inactive packages (install remove inactive, yes)

5. Copy target image bin file 

6. Do an MD5 verify (never hurts :D: verify /md5 flash:{imageName} {expectedSignature})

7. OPTIONAL: Setup a label for your current image that way you can rollback easily after committing new image (install label {preferredIDnumber} label-name {currentVersionLabel}). Pro-tip, do a quick check of any current existing rollback point IDs to make sure you dont overwrite (show install rollback)

8. Add, activate, and commit new image with automatic reload: (install add file flash:{fileName} activate commit prompt-level none) 

This should resolve the super package issue - going forward you don't necessarily need to run the 'install remove inactive' command every time, I've validated this a few times. If you do decide to use it though as standard practice, make sure to copy your target image after the command otherwise you may delete the .bin file. 

Good luck! Here for any questions/feedback.

[HArcher1 · Accepted solution]

I'm back!  
Here's what I found to resolve the issue - it's a little overkill but it's the method that we followed on the TAC call yesterday and it worked. Retried it a handful of times afterward (9300, 3850) with nothing but success.

1. Remove the target version file from the flash if you have it copied (annoying yes, but appears necessary to remove super package error)

2. Remove boot statement (conf t, no boot system) 

3. Point boot statement to packages.conf (conf t, boot system flash:packages.conf)

4. Remove inactive packages (install remove inactive, yes)

5. Copy target image bin file 

6. Do an MD5 verify (never hurts :D: verify /md5 flash:{imageName} {expectedSignature})

7. OPTIONAL: Setup a label for your current image that way you can rollback easily after committing new image (install label {preferredIDnumber} label-name {currentVersionLabel}). Pro-tip, do a quick check of any current existing rollback point IDs to make sure you dont overwrite (show install rollback)

8. Add, activate, and commit new image with automatic reload: (install add file flash:{fileName} activate commit prompt-level none) 

This should resolve the super package issue - going forward you don't necessarily need to run the 'install remove inactive' command every time, I've validated this a few times. If you do decide to use it though as standard practice, make sure to copy your target image after the command otherwise you may delete the .bin file. 

Good luck! Here for any questions/feedback.

[scaudle]

I had this same exact issue and this worked perfectly for me.  Thank you for posting!

[royce.varughese.1984]

Tried steps as in solution but still ends up in same state.
i could not do optional step as it kept giving me error.

[Leo Laohoo]

Post the complete output to the command "dir".

[royce.varughese.1984]

Switch#delete bo
Switch#delete bootflash:cat9k_iosxe.17.12.05.SPA.bin
Delete filename [cat9k_iosxe.17.12.05.SPA.bin]?
Delete flash:/cat9k_iosxe.17.12.05.SPA.bin? [confirm]
Switch#
Switch#
Switch#conf t
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
Switch(config)#no boo
Switch(config)#no boot sy
Switch(config)#no boot system
Switch(config)#boot sys
Switch(config)#boot system fl
Switch(config)#boot system flash:pa
Switch(config)#boot system flash:packages.conf
Switch(config)#exit
Switch#wr

Switch#install remove inactive
install_remove: START Mon Jul 07 10:55:35 AWST 2025
install_remove: Removing IMG
Cleaning up unnecessary package files
No path specified, will use booted path /flash/packages.conf

Cleaning /flash
Scanning boot directory for packages ... done.
Preparing packages list to delete ...
[R0]: /flash/cat9k-cc_srdriver.17.09.05.SPA.pkg File is in use, will not delete.
[R0]: /flash/cat9k-espbase.17.09.05.SPA.pkg File is in use, will not delete.
[R0]: /flash/cat9k-guestshell.17.09.05.SPA.pkg File is in use, will not delete.
[R0]: /flash/cat9k-lni.17.09.05.SPA.pkg File is in use, will not delete.
[R0]: /flash/cat9k-rpbase.17.09.05.SPA.pkg File is in use, will not delete.
[R0]: /flash/cat9k-rpboot.17.09.05.SPA.pkg File is in use, will not delete.
[R0]: /flash/cat9k-sipbase.17.09.05.SPA.pkg File is in use, will not delete.
[R0]: /flash/cat9k-sipspa.17.09.05.SPA.pkg File is in use, will not delete.
[R0]: /flash/cat9k-srdriver.17.09.05.SPA.pkg File is in use, will not delete.
[R0]: /flash/cat9k-webui.17.09.05.SPA.pkg File is in use, will not delete.
[R0]: /flash/cat9k-wlc.17.09.05.SPA.pkg File is in use, will not delete.
[R0]: /flash/packages.conf File is in use, will not delete.

SUCCESS: No extra package or provisioning files found on media. Nothing to clean.
SUCCESS: Files deleted.

--- Starting Post_Remove_Cleanup ---
Performing REMOVE_POSTCHECK on all members
Finished Post_Remove_Cleanup
SUCCESS: install_remove Mon Jul 07 10:55:35 AWST 2025
Switch#

Switch#install label 1 label-name Currentversion1795
install_add_label: START Mon Jul 7 11:04:28 AWST 2025
--- Starting install_add_label ---
Performing install_add_label on all members
[1] install_add_label package(s) on switch 1
FAILED: install_add_label : No rollback id 1 present
[1] Finished install_add_label on switch 1
Checking status of install_add_label on [1]
install_add_label: Passed on []. Failed on [1]
Finished install_add_label

FAILED: install_add_label exit(1) Mon Jul 7 11:04:32 AWST 2025

Switch#install add file bootflash:cat9k_iosxe.17.12.05.SPA.bin activate commit
install_add_activate_commit: START Mon Jul 07 11:07:58 AWST 2025
install_add: Adding IMG
[1] Switch 1 FAILED: Super package already added. Add operation not allowed. install remove inactive can be used to discard added packages
FAILED: add_activate_commit /mnt/sd3/user/cat9k_iosxe.17.12.05.SPA.bin Mon Jul 07 11:07:58 AWST 2025
Switch#install add file bootflash:cat9k_iosxe.17.12.05.SPA.bin activate commit pro
Switch#install add file bootflash:cat9k_iosxe.17.12.05.SPA.bin activate commit prompt-level no
Switch#install add file bootflash:cat9k_iosxe.17.12.05.SPA.bin activate commit prompt-level none
install_add_activate_commit: START Mon Jul 07 11:08:32 AWST 2025
install_add: Adding IMG
[1] Switch 1 FAILED: Super package already added. Add operation not allowed. install remove inactive can be used to discard added packages
FAILED: add_activate_commit /mnt/sd3/user/cat9k_iosxe.17.12.05.SPA.bin Mon Jul 07 11:08:32 AWST 2025
Switch#

[royce.varughese.1984]

Upgrading from 17.9 5 > 17.12.5