C++: /lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libstdc++.so.6: version `GLIBCXX_3.4.32' not found
The binary was built with a newer GCC than the machine it is running on, and it needs a libstdc++ symbol version the system library does not have. Nothing is wrong with the code: it works on the build box because that box has the newer library. It shows up when copying binaries to an older distro, or when a conda or bundled toolchain compiles against its own libstdc++ but the loader picks up the system one.
Quick fix
Read the commands before running them. Anything that restarts a service, deletes data or changes permissions should be tried on a non-production system first.
# Which GLIBCXX versions does the system library provide?
strings /lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libstdc++.so.6 | grep GLIBCXX_3.4 | tail -3
# Which ones does the binary need, and which library is it loading?
objdump -T ./app | grep GLIBCXX | sort -u -k5 | tail -3
ldd ./app | grep libstdc
# Fix 1: build on the oldest distro you deploy to (or in its container)
# Fix 2: link libstdc++ statically
g++ -static-libstdc++ -static-libgcc -o app main.cpp
# Fix 3: ship the newer library alongside and point the loader at it
# LD_LIBRARY_PATH=/opt/app/lib ./appHow to diagnose C++ errors
C++ errors fall into two very different worlds. Compile and link errors (undefined reference, multiple definition, template substitution failure) are deterministic and are almost always about declarations, the One Definition Rule, or link order. Runtime memory errors (segfaults, double free, use-after-free) are non-deterministic and should never be debugged by reading code alone; a sanitizer will find in seconds what code review misses for days.
If the quick fix above does not resolve it, work through these steps. They apply to this whole class of error, not just to this one message, which is usually what saves the time.
- Rebuild with sanitizers before anything else:
-fsanitize=address,undefined -fno-omit-frame-pointer -g. AddressSanitizer reports the exact allocation and free sites for use-after-free and double-free. - For undefined-reference errors, check link order, remembering that with GNU ld libraries must come after the objects that use them, and check for a C/C++ linkage mismatch that needs
extern "C". - Use
nm -C libfoo.a | grep symbolto confirm the symbol is actually present and to see the demangled signature. A signature that differs by aconstis a different symbol. - Enable core dumps (
ulimit -c unlimited) and open them in gdb withgdb ./binary core, thenbt full. A stack trace beats speculation. - For template errors, read the message from the bottom up. The final line is usually the real constraint that failed; everything above is instantiation context.
Tools worth reaching for
-fsanitize=address,undefinedvalgrindgdb / lldbnm -Cldd
Authoritative references
Primary documentation for this error, worth reading before applying any fix in production.
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Something missing or wrong?
This entry is maintained by hand. If the fix is out of date, incomplete, or you have a better one, email a correction and it will be reviewed.