Unable to install packages in latest version of RStudio and R Version.3.1.1

Question

I am unable to install packages through latest version of RStudio and R Version.3.1.1. Kindly help. I got the error as mentioned below:

Example:
Warning in install.packages :
  InternetOpenUrl failed: ''
Warning in install.packages :
  InternetOpenUrl failed: ''
Warning in install.packages :
  unable to access index for repository http://cran.rstudio.com/bin/windows/contrib/3.1
Installing package into ‘C:/Users/Documents/R/win-library/3.1’
(as ‘lib’ is unspecified)
Warning in install.packages :
  InternetOpenUrl failed: ''
Warning in install.packages :
  InternetOpenUrl failed: ''
Warning in install.packages :
  unable to access index for repository http://cran.rstudio.com/bin/windows/contrib/3.1
Warning in install.packages :
  package ‘reshape’ is not available (for R version 3.1.1)

Response on RStudio support site: https://support.rstudio.com/hc/communities/public/questions/200522573-Can-t-install-packages — Andrie, Jan 13 '15 at 14:39
I had this problem too. The solution was to use another mirror. — CoderGuy123, Jul 06 '15 at 00:48
Following these steps solved my issue: https://github.com/ContinuumIO/anaconda-issues/issues/4421#issuecomment-327033866 In Terminal, run `conda install libssh2` then `conda install krb5` — Zack Katz, Sep 27 '17 at 19:40
I tried everything, however only reinstalling R and Rstudio worked for me. I later installed it in Anaconda. — rishi jain, May 16 '20 at 17:21

cer · Answer 1 · 2015-11-07T02:00:00.363

157

Not 100% certain that you have the same problem, but I found out the hard way that my job blocks each mirror site option that was offered and I was getting errors like this:

Installing package into ‘/usr/lib64/R/library’
(as ‘lib’ is unspecified)
--- Please select a CRAN mirror for use in this session ---
Error in download.file(url, destfile = f, quiet = TRUE) : 
  unsupported URL scheme
Warning: unable to access index for repository https://rweb.crmda.ku.edu/cran/src/contrib
Warning message:
package ‘ggplot2’ is not available (for R version 3.2.2)

Workaround (I am using CentOS)...

install.packages('package_name', dependencies=TRUE, repos='http://cran.rstudio.com/')

I hope this saves someone hours of frustration.

edited Nov 07 '15 at 02:00

answered Oct 22 '15 at 14:32

cer

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Strange for me as I was able to install packages no problem until this morning... But this worked immediately. – Cayce K Dec 16 '15 at 15:50
also, check that the ```download.file.method``` isn't set in your RProfile. https://support.rstudio.com/hc/en-us/articles/206827897-Secure-Package-Downloads-for-R – polka May 31 '17 at 18:49
3

Also note that you may get `unable to access index for repository` if trying to use `https` instead of `http` – ionox0 Jul 02 '18 at 14:26
how does install.packages() method work when we specify repos as `repos='http://cran.rstudio.com/')` instead of `http://cran.us.r-project.org` – Regressor Feb 24 '20 at 16:56
I am really not sure, but you can certainly try it out to see if it does -- let me know if it works @Regressor. – cer Mar 03 '20 at 14:12

score 76 · Answer 2 · answered Dec 12 '15 at 01:01

76

I think this is the "set it and forget it" solution:

options(repos='http://cran.rstudio.com/')

Note that this isn't https. I was on a Linux machine, ssh'ing in. If I used https, it didn't work.

answered Dec 12 '15 at 01:01

rbatt

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My problem went away from repos='https://cran.rstudio.com/' to ...http... – Kemin Zhou Apr 02 '16 at 00:37
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Tools -> Global Options -> Packages --> I unchecked use secure download method for HTTP, it worked, all issues disappeared, R also provides that option, you need to select "other mirrors" and select 0 Clould and hit OK – Ravi M Patel Sep 19 '18 at 11:57
Worked like a charm.... I was trying to use HTTPS and it was giving me an error is not valid for rstudio3.1 and it solved the problem thanks.... – Skizo-ozᴉʞS ツ Dec 11 '18 at 23:52
Didn't work for me on Linux Mint 19 with RStudio 1.2 and R 3.4.4, what am I doing wrong? It always returns: `Installing package into ‘/home/leon/R/x86_64-pc-linux-gnu-library/3.4’ (as ‘lib’ is unspecified) Warning in install.packages : package ‘pacman’ is not available (for R version 3.4.4)` – Leo Jul 11 '19 at 22:58

score 7 · Answer 3 · answered Sep 01 '14 at 07:48

As @Pascal said, it is likely that you encounter problem with the firewall or/and proxy issue. As a first step, go through FAQ on the CRAN web page. After that, try to flag R with --internet2.

Sometimes it could be useful to check global options in R studio and uncheck "Use Internet Explorer library/proxy for HTTP". Tools -> Global Options -> Packages and unchecking the "Use Internet Explorer library/proxy for HTTP" option.

Hope this helps.

score 6 · Answer 4 · edited Dec 21 '20 at 09:13

Based on answers from the community, there appear to be several ways that might solve this:

From the official FAQ and support forums and this answer, you may have have a firewall or proxy issue that is blocking RStudio from connecting to the internet:

Disable any firewalls
Tools -> Global Options -> Packages and unchecking the "Use Internet Explorer library/proxy for HTTP" option and restart R (#1, #2, #3)
Flag R with --internet2
On CentOS it was suggested to try the following: install.packages('package_name', dependencies=TRUE, repos='http://cran.rstudio.com/')

Several answers suggest using an alternate mirror (#1, #2, #3):

Preferences > General > Default working directory > Browse and switch your mirror from local/global (whichever is unchecked)

On Windows you can start the application with http_proxy=http://host:port/:

"C:\Program Files\RStudio\bin\rstudio.exe" http_proxy=http://host:port/

Shut down and restart. Needed after many of the above operations, and suggested standalone.

One more: this error occurs if there is no more space on the harddrive (Windows) — mts, Jan 12 '16 at 22:40
I don't see the option "Use Internet Explorer library/proxy for HTTP", only "Enable packages pane" and "Use secure download method for HTTP". What should I do? — Leo, Jul 11 '19 at 22:47

score 3 · Answer 5 · answered Jul 10 '15 at 15:15

3

My solution that worked was to open R studio options and select global miror (the field was empty before) and the error went away.

answered Jul 10 '15 at 15:15

userJT

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where exactly did you find that option? – Leo Jul 11 '19 at 22:45
indeed please add this essential information. – Robvh Mar 06 '20 at 12:20

score 3 · Answer 6 · answered Nov 02 '15 at 12:14

Please check the following to be able to install new packages:

1- In Tools -> Global Options -> Packages, uncheck the "Use Internet Explorer library/proxy for HTTP" option,

2- In Tools -> Global Options -> Packages, change the CRAN mirror to "0- Cloud - Rstudio, automatic redirection to servers worldwide"

3- Restart Rstudio.

4- Have fun!

score 1 · Answer 7 · answered Apr 28 '15 at 10:05

1

If you are on Windows, try this:

"C:\Program Files\RStudio\bin\rstudio.exe" http_proxy=http://host:port/

answered Apr 28 '15 at 10:05

Steve Pitchers

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Where do I type this? Inside RStudio or CMD? – Pragyaditya Das Sep 23 '16 at 14:13
@Pragyaditya Das Type into a command prompt. Open one with: WindowsKey+R > type "cmd" > Enter. Don't forget to replace "host" and "port" with the actual numbers ;-) – Steve Pitchers Sep 23 '16 at 15:55
How do I find the host and port numbers? – Pragyaditya Das Sep 24 '16 at 11:31
@Pragyaditya Das These are the host name or host IP address and port number for your own site's proxy server. You should ask someone locally. Or check the settings in your browser to see what proxy is set and try those settings. – Steve Pitchers Sep 26 '16 at 18:03

score 1 · Answer 8 · answered Jul 05 '16 at 16:45

1

Most of the time @cer solution works but if in case its not working then try installing it in base R (NOT in R studio). As R studio runs base R executable in background so new package will be available in R studio as well. [my experience in macOS]

answered Jul 05 '16 at 16:45

abhiieor

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score 0 · Answer 9 · answered Sep 04 '15 at 17:18

0

What worked for me:

Preferences-General-Default working directory-Browse Switch from global to local mirror

Working on a Mac. 10.10.3

answered Sep 04 '15 at 17:18

Clayton

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Unable to install packages in latest version of RStudio and R Version.3.1.1

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