Skip to content

Linux Installation

Not using Linux? Go back to LightBurn Installation.

LightBurn is tested on Ubuntu Linux, and current releases are officially supported on Ubuntu 20.04 and 22.04.

  • Ubuntu 18.04 users unable to upgrade to a more recent version should download LightBurn 1.2.01, the last release compatible with their operating system.
  • Ubuntu 20.04 users can use any of the installation methods described below.
  • Ubuntu 22.04 users will need to use LightBurn's new AppImage installer.

Using AppImage

LightBurn is now available as an AppImage for easier setup and increased compatibility. To use the LightBurn AppImage:

  1. Download the AppImage file.
  2. Add the user to the dialout and tty groups.
  3. Make sure libfuse is installed.
  4. Make the file executable.
  5. Double-click the AppImage file to run it.
Specifying a Preferences Directory

Older AppImage releases ignored any instructions to load a specific preferences directory. If you need to do this, please make sure you're using LightBurn 1.7.

Add User to Dialout and TTY

Info

In the command below, $USER doesn't need to be replaced with your username. It's a standard system variable, and if entered exactly as shown below will automatically refer to the logged-in user's username.

Open a terminal and run the following command. When complete, be sure to log out and log back in to refresh permissions:

sudo adduser $USER dialout && sudo adduser $USER tty

Install libfuse

Ubuntu 22.04 does not have the FUSE library, which prevents AppImage from working as expected. To install the library, use the following command in the terminal:

sudo apt install libfuse2

Graphical method to make the AppImage file executable:

  1. Right-click on the .appimage file.
  2. Select Properties.
  3. Go to the Permissions Tab.
  4. Check the Allow executing file as program box.

Command line method:

Replace <AppImage File> with the actual .appimage file and run the following:

chmod u+x <AppImage File>

AppImage Troubleshooting

  • Make sure you've logged out and back in after adding the current user to the dialout and tty groups.
  • If you're having trouble with the AppImage, you may find this guide from itsfoss.com useful: itsfoss.com/cant-run-appimage-ubuntu/.
  • Our support team is also available to help. When reaching out to support, please include in your message that you're using AppImage on Linux, and which Linux version you're using.

Using .run Or .7z Installer

Info

In step 1 below, $USER doesn't need to be replaced with your username. It's a standard system variable, and if entered exactly as shown below will automatically refer to the logged-in user's username.

  1. Open a terminal and run the following command:
  2. sudo adduser $USER dialout && sudo adduser $USER tty
  3. IMPORTANT! Log out and log back in (this refreshes the permissions we just added).
  4. Download the Linux 64-bit version, either the .run file or the .7z file and follow the appropriate steps below.

.run installer

  1. Open your terminal and cd to the directory you downloaded the file to.
  2. Run bash ./LightBurn-Linux64-v*.run
  3. It will now automatically install and create a program listing in your desktop environment.

.7z installer

  1. Extract the folder wherever you want LightBurn to exist.
  2. Right click AppRun → Properties → Permissions → "Allow executing file as program"
  3. Double click AppRun inside your LightBurn folder.