How to Fix the Wine “Missing ntlm_auth >= 3.0.25” Error in Ubuntu

If you’re using Wine to run Windows applications on Ubuntu and encounter the error message “missing ntlm_auth >= 3.0.25” or “Could not find ntlm_auth program,” don’t worry—this is a common issue with a straightforward solution.

This error occurs because Wine cannot locate the ntlm_auth utility, which is a critical component of the Samba suite needed for Windows applications that rely on Microsoft’s NTLM authentication protocol.

What Causes the Wine Missing ntlm_auth Error?

NTLM (NT LAN Manager) is a Microsoft authentication protocol commonly used by Windows applications, particularly those that interact with Windows networks or servers. When running these applications through Wine on Linux, the system needs access to the ntlm_auth utility to handle the authentication processes properly.

The error appears because:

• The necessary Samba components are not installed on your Ubuntu system
• The ntlm_auth utility is not in your system’s PATH
• Your Wine configuration is looking for this component but cannot find it

Read: Having Trouble with Wine Programs? Follow These Solutions

Step-by-Step Solution to Fix Wine ntlm_auth Error in Ubuntu

Solution 1: Install the samba-common-bin Package

The most direct solution is to install the samba-common-bin package, which provides the ntlm_auth utility required by Wine. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open a terminal window
2. Update your package repository:

   sudo apt update
   

3. Install the samba-common-bin package:

   sudo apt install samba-common-bin
   

Solution 2: Install and Configure Winbind Service (For Persistent Issues)

If the error persists after installing samba-common-bin, you might need to install and configure the Winbind service, which handles Windows authentication protocols in Linux:

1. Install Winbind:

   sudo apt install winbind
   

2. Start the Winbind service:

   sudo systemctl start winbind
   

3. Enable the service to start at boot:

   sudo systemctl enable winbind
   

How to Verify the NTLM Authentication Fix Is Working

After implementing the solution, it’s important to verify that the ntlm_auth utility is properly installed and functional:

1. Check if ntlm_auth is in your path:

   which ntlm_auth
   

   This should return a path like /usr/bin/ntlm_auth

2. Test the functionality of ntlm_auth:

   ntlm_auth --helper-protocol=
   

   You should see output similar to:

   ntlm-server-1
   kerberos-kdc-1
   kerberos-2
   get-dc-list-1
   

3. Try running your Wine application again—the error should now be resolved.

Read: How to run Windows software on Linux

Common Troubleshooting Pitfalls When Fixing Wine Authentication Errors

Even with these instructions, you might encounter some issues. Here are common pitfalls to avoid:

• Skipping the repository update: Always run sudo apt update before installing packages to ensure you’re getting the latest versions.
• Installing the wrong package: Ensure you’re installing samba-common-bin, not just samba (which provides different Samba server components).
• Architecture mismatches: If you’re using a 32-bit Wine prefix on a 64-bit system, you might need to ensure that the 32-bit versions of the Samba libraries are installed. Fortunately, modern Ubuntu systems with multiarch support usually handle this automatically.
• Path configuration issues: In rare cases, you might need to manually specify the path to ntlm_auth in your Wine configuration.

Conclusion: Resolving Wine Authentication for Windows Applications on Linux

The Wine “missing ntlm_auth” error is a common but easily solvable issue caused by the absence of the ntlm_auth utility from the Samba suite. By installing the samba-common-bin package and, if necessary, configuring the winbind service, you can enable Wine to handle NTLM authentication correctly.

This solution allows you to run Windows applications that rely on Microsoft authentication protocols smoothly on your Ubuntu system. Whether you’re using Wine for gaming, productivity software, or specialized Windows tools, resolving this authentication issue will help ensure a smoother Linux experience when working with Windows software.

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