About Ubuntu

If you are stumped by a problem, the chances are that someone else has encountered it too. Take a look at our Documentation page where you'll find the official documentation developed and maintained by the Ubuntu Documentation Team.

If you would rather ask questions directly to the Ubuntu Community you can access our live chat IRC channel, just join the channel #ubuntu on irc.freenode.net.

If you are very new to Ubuntu, and haven't used IRC before, find the application 'pidgin' (or on some versions of Ubuntu 'gaim') from Applications->Internet on your Ubuntu desktop. Then login to irc.freenode.net and join the #ubuntu channel.

If you want a more specialised channel that deals with the Ubuntu derivatives, just use #kubuntu, #edubuntu, #xubuntu.

There are also dedicated channels for development, bugs, LoCo teams, accessibility and documentation.

List of current IRC channels »

When participating in Ubuntu IRC channels, please abide by the Code of Conduct.

If you prefer to use web forums to a mailing list, especially for support related issues, you can use or search the Ubuntu forums. For a list of non-English forums, see the local language support page.

Ubuntu development, support, and discussion continually takes place within our IRC channel and mailing lists. To join any of the mailing lists, follow the instructions at the links on the mailing lists page.

You can also add your support question in the new tech answers which is a part of the Launchpad system. Here you can keep your query active until a community member offers an answer which solves your problem. You can also search through all of the other questions which have been asked and answered.