Webmin 2.501 update packages broken on Debian 12

[idressos]

Today (Sep 8 2025) the following APT package updates became available for Debian 12:

• usermin 2.400
• webmin 2.501
• webmin-virtual-server 7.40.0.gpl-1

As usual, we proceeded with the package updates through Webmin interface.

However, the update failed halfway, without any indication. Virtual servers stopped working (due to PHP-FPM) and manual intervention was required. We had to use dpkg multiple times to fix the installation.

After dpkg seemingly completed the update process, Webmin and Virtualmin interfaces are acting weirdly and I cannot trust that the update has actually succeeded. Maybe some files were silently left behind on old versions?

Examples of misbehavior:

• Random ‘Create Virtual Server’ button which does now follow selected theme is showing up in Virtualmin pages (see screenshot below).
• If I keep a Virtualmin page open for more than a couple of seconds, and then I try to use the sidebar to navigate, none of the sidebar buttons work. I have to completely refresh the page for it to work again.
• Package updates is stuck to ‘3 updates available’ even though we updated
• Overall speed and feel of the web interface is different, as if something is missing
• Authentic theme cache was not cleared automatically upon update - had to be done manually. Did not fix any of the above issues

Is there a way to run some kind of “integrity check” or health check on the Webmin/Virtualmin installation? This has affected one of our production servers and the uncertainty is frustrating.

SYSTEM INFORMATION
OS type and version	REQUIRED	Debian 12 x64
Virtualmin version	REQUIRED	7.40.0
Webmin Version		2.501
Usermin Version		2.400
Authentic theme		25.01

[Ilia]

@idressos

Is there a way to run some kind of “integrity check” or health check on the Webmin/Virtualmin installation? This has affected one of our production servers and the uncertainty is frustrating.

If you’re not sure if all files from the new package were installed, you can reinstall the package via SSH:

apt-get install --reinstall webmin webmin-virtual-server

Also, updates usually don’t break. However, the kernel can kill Webmin the process if there isn’t enough RAM available and no SWAP configured. I’d recommend checking the kernel logs for any OOM triggers with:

journalctl -k | grep OOM

@idressos

Random ‘Create Virtual Server’ button which does now follow selected theme is showing up in Virtualmin pages (see screenshot below).

Random button? I’m not sure what you mean, but Virtualmin 7.40.0 has a new standing out button to create a virtual server.

[Joe]

@idressos

Random ‘Create Virtual Server’ button which does now follow selected theme is showing up in Virtualmin pages (see screenshot below).

From the changelog:

“Improve the navigation menu by using a new layout that prioritizes the “Create Virtual Server” button”

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