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Serv-U on Ubuntu 24.04 reports that it cannot load graphics device libraries

Describes how to address Serv-U image and branding failures on Ubuntu 24.04 when the startup log reports that graphics device libraries cannot be loaded.

First published date

10/29/2026 4:57 PM

Last published date

10/29/2026 11:20 PM

Overview

After upgrading a Linux host to Ubuntu 24.04, Serv-U may continue running and the management console may remain accessible, while PNG images or web-client branding fail. The Serv-U startup log may report that graphics device libraries cannot be loaded

 

Symptoms

  • PNG images do not display or process as expected.
  • Saving or using web-client branding may return an operating-system error stating that LibGD cannot be loaded.
  • The Serv-U startup log reports:
  • Unable to load graphics device libraries.
  • The log may recommend installing the gd package or checking the libgd.so link.

Product section

Serv-U Managed File Transfer & Serv-U FTP Server

Cause

This has been identified as a known issue in Serv-U involving the bundled C++ runtime library at /usr/local/Serv-U0/libstdc++.so.6. Renaming this file allows Serv-U to use the system library path and restores the affected image/branding behavior.

Resolution

1. On the Serv-U server, rename the bundled library so it is preserved for rollback:

sudo mv /usr/local/Serv-U/libstdc++.so.6 /usr/local/Serv-U/libstdc++.so.6.bak

2. Restart the Serv-U service:

sudo systemctl restart Serv-U.service

3. Test the affected PNG image or branding operation, and review the startup log to confirm the graphics-library error is no longer reported.